For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission - FINAL DOCUMENT

Towards October 2024: Second Instrumentum Laboris Published

Towards October 2024: Ireland’s Summary Document Published

Towards October 2024: Diocese of Derry response

Between the XVI Assembly of October 2023 and the XVI Assembly planned for October 2024, the local Churches and the groupings of Churches are invited to contribute by deepening aspects of the Synthesis Report that are fundamental to the Synod's theme.

In Ireland, each diocese is asked to provide a response to the following question: How can we imagine the life of the Church in Ireland where people are co-responsible for the Church’s mission in different ways?

In February and March 2024, the Diocese of Derry held two regional Synodal Listening Days in Galliagh, Derry City and Omagh, Co Tyrone. Aware that the voice of young people was somewhat absent from these gatherings, two further events were organised by the Diocesan Youth Ministry team.

On review of the submissions received at the end of the listening sessions, the following is a synthesis of comments, considerations, concerns and possibilities. The report can be viewed here. This will be part of the Irish response for the next stage of the Universal Synod.

Universal Synod's Synthesis Report​

On Saturday, 28 October 2023, the members of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops adopted the Synthesis Report which was initially published in Italian.

The official report is now also available in English and can be viewed here

First Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops

The Instrumentum Laboris, the official working document for the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, was launched on 20 June 2023. A large number of people from various parts of the world with different expertise prepared this important text which will animate all the work of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (4th-29th October 2023).

European Continental Assembly - part of the Universal Synod

The continental stage of the Synod is organised by the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, in collaboration with the Czech Bishops' Conference and the Archdiocese of Prague.

Venue: Prague (Czech Republic)
Dates: 5 - 12 February 2023

From 5 to 12 February 2023, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh along with thirteen other delegates from across Ireland, attended the first ever European Assembly of a Synod within the Catholic Church, in Prague, Czechia.

This was one of seven continental assemblies convening across five continents in a new stage of the universal Synodal Process.


View the Assembly final remarks

View what the Bishops have commited to

Diocese of Derry Synod Working Group Reflection on the Continental Stage of the Universal Synod

December 2022
The Secretariat for the Synod in Rome released the working document for the Continental Stage of the Universal Synod on Thursday, 27th October 2022. This is the fruit of the syntheses received from 112 Bishops’ Conferences, including Ireland that is unprecedented in the history of the Church. The Continental Stage document can be downloaded here.

The Diocese of Derry synod working group were invited to read through and compare the Diocese of Derry submission, Ireland's National Synthesis, and the Document for the Continental Stage and submit their responses by 22nd December 2022. This reflection is published below for reading and sharing.

Diocese of Derry Synod Report

May 2022
The people of the Diocese of Derry have taken part in parish discussions, online contributions and deanery gatherings during recent months in response to the call from Pope Francis about the next Synod.

The fruit of this listening has been collated and a synthesis is now submitted to form part of a national synthesis. This diocesan document is published below for reading and sharing.