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Synod on Synodality

Nuns sing and pray during a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis near the Catholic martyrs' shrine of Namugongo, Kampala, Uganda, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. (photo: Andrew Medichini / AP)

The Catholic Church in Africa is a Blessing

Aug 14, 2023

When participants gather in Rome at this fall’s Synod on Synodality to reflect how the global Catholic Church can better communicate the saving love of Jesus for all humanity, a vast continental contrast in opinions will be on prominent display. And the tension can be summed up by two opposing questions.

Official logo of the Synod on Synodality. Credit: Vatican Media

SECAM Seminar to Prepare Delegates from Africa for October Synod in Rome

Aug 11, 2023

For three days starting August 15, participants from Africa who will take part in the upcoming Synod on Synodality assembly in October will be meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, to gain “a deep knowledge and clear understanding” of the details of the Synod.

Delegates during the March 1-6 SECAM Plenary Assembly in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa. Credit: ACI Africa

Catholic Bishops in Africa to Focus on “practical experience of Synodality” on SECAM Day

Jul 27, 2023

Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) are expected to deliberate on the “practical experience” of the Synod on Synodality on the occasion of the annual SECAM Day.

Top From Left to Right - Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya, Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, Bottom From Left to Right - Berhaneyesus Demerew Cardinal Souraphie, Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga, Bishop Lucio Andrice Muandula |

Synod on Synodality: Delegates Representing Africa

Jul 9, 2023

From the full list of some 364 participants in the October 4-29 Synod on Synodality in Rome, who include Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, women and men Religious, and Laity, 67 of them are from Africa.

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Synod on Synodality: Vatican Publishes Full List of Participants

Jul 7, 2023

The Vatican published Friday the full list of participants who will take part in the upcoming Synod on Synodality assembly in October.

Cardinal Robert Sarah offers Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for his 50th anniversary of priesthood in 2019. | Credit: Evandro Inetti/CNA.

No Synod Can Invent a "female priesthood": Vatican-based Guinean Cardinal

Jul 5, 2023

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, stressed that "the priesthood is unique" and warned that "no council, no synod" can "invent a female priesthood."

Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Angola’s Lubango Archdiocese. Credit: CEAST

Theme of Synod on Synodality Path for Community Growth: Catholic Archbishop in Angola

Jul 1, 2023

Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Angola’s Lubango Archdiocese has underscored the value of the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality and called for the embracing of its theme, which he said provides a path for the growth of the people of God.

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich (right), relator general of Synod on Synodality, speaks to the media on June 20, 2023, at the temporary headquarters of the Holy See Press Office in Vatican City. Beside him is Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General for the Synod of Bishops. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Synod on Synodality Leaders:Full List of Delegates for October Assembly still Under review

Jun 21, 2023

Organizers of the Synod on Synodality on Tuesday announced a change of venue for the upcoming synodal assembly of bishops and other delegates being held in October but said that the full list of those participating in the monthlong event is still being prepared.

Official logo of the Synod on Synodality. Credit: Vatican Media

Having “clear understanding” of Synod Working Document among Aims of Planned SECAM Seminar

Jun 20, 2023

Having “a deep knowledge and clear understanding” of Instrumentum Laboris, the working document for the XVI Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops popularly known as the Synod on Synodality, is one of the aims of a planned seminar targeting African delegates.

The Synod of Bishop at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2018. | Vatican Media.

Vatican's Latest Document on Synod on Synodality: Here is What You Need to Know

Jun 20, 2023

The Vatican released a new document on June 20 outlining key questions for the upcoming 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, more commonly known as the Synod on Synodality. 

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Synod on Synodality Document Outlines Discussion Questions for October Assembly

Jun 20, 2023

In advance of a pivotal October assembly on synodality, a new Vatican document released Tuesday outlines key questions for what now promises to be a wide-ranging discussion on Pope Francis’ vision of a more inclusive, decentralized, and “listening” Church.

In a speech during a meeting with Pope Tawadros II, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, and other Coptic Orthodox representatives on May 11, 2023, Pope Francis announced that the Coptic Orthodox martyrs killed by ISIS in 2015 will be added to the Catholic Church’s official list of saints. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis’ Emphasis on Synodality Cited in Joint Catholic-Orthodox Statement

Jun 14, 2023

Catholic-Orthodox relations took a step forward this month with the publication of the first joint statement in seven years.

Pope Francis presides over Pentecost Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on May 28, 2023. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

On Pentecost, Pope Francis Says Holy Spirit Can Bring Harmony to "a polarized Church"

May 28, 2023

The solemnity of Pentecost, which is celebrated 50 days after Easter, marks the descent of the Holy Spirit. Thousands were gathered inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the Mass.

Pope Francis delivers the Regina Caeli address from the window of the Apostolic Palace on May 28, 2023. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis Encourages Marian Shrines Around the World to Pray for Synod on Synodality

May 28, 2023

From the Philippines to Portugal, Marian shrines around the world will participate in a special day of prayer this Wednesday for the work of the Synod on Synodality.

A synodal Church has to be a listening and a discerning Church. Credit: Catholic Church News Zimbabwe

“A great source of renewal”: Catholic Priest on Charismatic Groups in Zimbabwe

May 9, 2023

Charismatic groups can be “a great source of renewal” among the people of God, the National Spiritual Director of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) in Zimbabwe has said.

USCCB

Laypeople to Vote in Synod on Synodality Assembly: Vatican

Apr 26, 2023

The Vatican announced Wednesday that there will be laypeople participating as voting members in the Synod on Synodality’s October assembly, a break with past custom, which allowed laypeople to participate without the right to vote.

Official logo of the Synod on Synodality. Credit: Vatican Media

Committee Begins Writing Synod on Synodality Working Document Behind Closed Doors

Apr 12, 2023

A committee of 22 people this week kicked off the writing process for the Synod on Synodality’s working document that will be the blueprint for discussions during the meeting of bishops in October. 

Bishop Lucio Andrice Muandula among seven members of the newly established Preparatory Commission to facilitate the realization of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Credit: ACI Africa

“Deep joy”: SECAM on Appointment of Member to Preparatory Commission of Synod

Mar 20, 2023

The Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has expressed “deep joy” following the appointment of the Symposium’s First Vice President to the newly established Preparatory Commission of the Synod on Synodality.

Fr. Anthony Makunde speaking during a Synodality Resources Team workshop in Nairobi. Credit: ACI Africa

Resource Team for Africa Proposes Synodality as Way to Heal Africa’s Deep-seated Wounds

Mar 19, 2023

Synodality, an invitation for the people of God to journey together irrespective of their differences, which the International Theological Commission defined as “the action of the Spirit in the communion of the Body of Christ and in the missionary journey of the People of God” can facilitate the healing of Africa’s deep wounds, member of the resource team that is working to deepen synodal engagements have said.

Members of the the African Synodality Initiative (ASI) at a workshop that was held at the headquarters of the Jesuits Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) in Nairobi, Kenya to constitute a Synodality Resource Team (SRT) which is expected to deepen the engagement on the Synod on Synodality. Credit: ACI Africa

Laity in Africa Cautioned against Fostering Clericalism, Elevating “the Clergy too much”

Mar 17, 2023

Clericalism is not just a problem of the Clergy, members of the newly constituted Synodality Resource Team (SRT) for Africa have said, and called on the Laity to play their role in de-clericalizing the Church.