Towards a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission

A group of people standing in a church-like building, the image focuses on a brunette Caucasian woman wearing a face mask and holding a phone.
Introduction
Thank you to all who participated in the initial stage of the preparation for the Synod of Bishops,

which will take place in Rome in October 2023 on the theme of Synodality: Communion, Participation and Mission. Over 2,000 submissions were received in the Diocese of Hamilton, including both individual and group responses. Every effort was made to include your thoughts in the Diocesan summary, which is provided below for your further reflection.

The Diocesan summary was forwarded to the Assembly of Ontario Bishops (ACBO) and is included in the summary of responses which were received from the Dioceses and Eparchies in Ontario. A copy of this summary report is provided below for your further reflection.

Synod Results
To assist you in your personal reflections, you may wish to consider the following questions:
1. As you read the results, do you recognize your comments?
2. After reading both reports, do you feel anything was missed?
3. How will we listen to one another as the Diocese moves forward as a synodal Church?
FOR YOUR READING:
Synod Reports to Date

The preparation for the Synod of Bishops in 2023 continues as reports of each country and continent are prepared based on the local reports.

Let us pray for the success of the synod and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the Church embarks on the path of synodality – the way of walking together with the Lord.

Pope Francis' Homily

Opening of the Synodal Path
October 10, 2021

"Celebrating a Synod means walking on the same road, walking together. Let us look at Jesus. First, he encounters the rich man on the road; he then listens to his questions, and finally he helps him discern what he must do to inherit eternal life. Encounter, listen and discern. I would like to reflect on these three verbs that characterize the Synod.""

Read the Homily
Pope Francis holding a hand up to his ear, implying that he is listening.
Encounter, listen and discern. I would like to reflect on these three verbs that characterize the Synod.

Thank you for sharing your voice!