Irish Bishops ask for prayers ahead of attending Synod on Synodality in Rome

Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick, Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ of Raphoe. Image CCO

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office

Today, representing the Irish Bishops' Conference, Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick, and Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ of Raphoe, are travelling to attend the second and final session of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican. This Synod on Synodality will be attended by Church representatives from around the world and will sit from 2 - 27 October on the theme: 'For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission'.

Also in attendance will be Rev Professor Eamon Conway, a priest of the Archdiocese of Tuam, who will serve the Synod as an 'Expert and Facilitator', Sister Mary Teresa Barron, OLA, President of the International Union of Superiors General, and Sister Patricia Murray IBVM, Executive Secretary of the International Union of Superiors General.

In an interview with Julieann Moran, General Secretary of the Synodal Pathway in Ireland, Bishop Leahy spoke about the ongoing synodal process saying, "An important aspect that has emerged in the last two or three years, and more specifically since the last assembly in October 2023 is the realisation that synodality, or journeying together, isn't just about this a synod event or making several decisions in a month. It's more about the process; about where we have moved from an understanding of synodality to actually a continuous process in the life of the Church, of working together to discern and understand what God wants of us."

Reflecting on how his experience from last year will prepare him for this assembly Bishop McGuckian said, "The methodology was hugely significant. We gathered in Rome for four weeks, we used Conversations in the Spirit - a particular way of being around a table, where everyone speaks in their turn and everyone listens respectfully. There was a genuine listening for what the Spirit was saying in my heart, as I listened to others. Then there was an effort to find where the convergences were, as well as the divergences. To do that all day every day for three or four weeks was quite transformative for me personally".... "That is a huge take away, that I have brought home and used and have found extremely enriching. I now feel going back this year that I have that experience behind me, and that this year I bring a capacity, or aptitude for Conversations in the Spirit."

Speaking about the synodal process, Ms Moran said: "We have journeyed together in this universal process for three years, and thanks to the voices of the People of God in Ireland and around the world, remarkable moments have shaped our path. From local communities to global platforms, synodal listening has moved through diocesan, national, and continental stages, fostering continuous dialogue with the Universal Church. This synodal process is slowly but surely fostering participation and co-responsibility, and the discernment of the Pobal Dé has been at the heart of the journey, guiding the mission of the Body of Christ into the future. I look forward to the continued participation of all baptised as we put into practice the outcomes from the Synod."

The assembly members will prepare for the second session of the Synod with a two-day spiritual retreat, which begins today and concludes with a penitential service in St Peter's Basilica on the evening of 1 October. The work of the second session will get underway after the opening Mass on the morning of October 2, with the final Mass scheduled for the morning of October 27.

The task of the second session is to complete the discernment begun at the first session and offer the result of this discernment to Pope Francis in a final document.

The work of the synodal assembly - through plenary sessions known as "general congregations" and working groups - will be divided into five "modules" which mirror the sections of the Instrumentum laboris: Foundations, Relations, Pathways, Places and Conclusion.

The concluding module will be devoted to the discussion and approval of the final document which will go to Pope Francis, who is responsible under the Apostolic Constitution Episcopalis communio for its implementation.

At the end of the spiritual retreat (30 September - 1 October) the Penitential Liturgy is intended to direct the work of the Synod towards the beginning of a new way of being Church. It will take place in Saint Peter's Basilica and will be presided over by Pope Francis. It will be broadcast live 5pm Irish time. To view live transmissions of some events, please visit HERE

Among the most significant fruits of the 2021-2024 Synod is the intensity of the ecumenical impulse. The call to continue along the path of unity and ecumenical relationships has been increasingly strong throughout the process. For this reason, Pope Francis has decided to increase the number of fraternal delegates at the Second Session and will welcome 16 representatives from other Churches and Christian Communions. Last year there were 12.

In the wake of the ecumenical prayer vigil 'Together', held on 30 September 2023 on the eve of the opening of the Synod and recognised by many as a historic moment, it has been decided to offer a moment of ecumenical prayer during this Second Session for all participants in the Synod, in the presence of the Holy Father and the fraternal delegates, as well as other ecumenical representatives present in Rome. The ecumenical prayer will be held on 11 October 2024 from 6 to 7pm Irish Time in Piazza of the Protomartyrs.