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Synod on Synodality

Sr. Leonida Katunge poses for a photo during the 2023 world youth day celebrations in Lisbon, Portugal. Credit: Sr. Leonida  Katunge

African Palaver Series is “a call to action” on Synod on Synodality: Kenyan Nun

Jun 11, 2024

African theologians, priests, religious, and laity have embarked on a series of synodal conversations, describing their encounter ahead of the October session in Rome as a call to action for all the people of God in Africa to make their voices heard in the Synod on Synodality.

A poster announcing the series of online conversations bringing together African theologians, priests, and religious, as well as laity in Africa. Credit: PACTPAN

African Theologians Organize Online Conversations ahead of Synod on Synodality Session in Rome

Jun 6, 2024

Plans are underway for a series of online conversations bringing together African theologians, priests and religious, as well as laity who seek to deepen the understanding of the Synthesis Report of the ongoing Synod on Synodality ahead of the October session in Rome.

Building of the general curia of the Jesuit order on Borgo Santo Spirito, Rome. / Credit: Boubloub, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Theologians Hold Closed-door Meeting in Rome on Guidance Document for October Synod

Jun 5, 2024

The June 4–13 closed-door gathering of experts in theology, ecclesiology, and canon law is being held at the Jesuit general curia down the street from the Vatican.

A poster announcing the 23 May webinar that the  Association of Member Episcopal Conferences for Eastern Africa (AMECEA) organized in collaboration with other regional and continental Catholic Church entities

African Delegate to Synod Attributes Gap in “discussion on mission of digital environment” to Absence of African Youths

May 24, 2024

One of the delegates representing Africa in the multi-year Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis extended to 2024 has blamed the silence from the continent when the topic of the “mission” of digitality was being discussed during the 4-29 October 2023 session to the absence of African youths at the global gathering. 

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo (left) and Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior (right) during the 25 April 2024 press conference. Credit: ACI Africa

Church in Africa Acts on Synod on Synodality Call to “theological, pastoral discernment” on Polygamy, Creates Commission

May 3, 2024

The leadership of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has responded to the call of the first session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to discern pastoral care towards persons in polygamous unions.

Landscape view of Sacrofano, Italy, north of Rome. / Credit: Dmitry Taranets/Shutterstock

World Meeting of Parish Priests for Synod on Synodality Opens in Rome, Some 300 Priests in Attendance

Apr 29, 2024

The four-day meeting, which is taking place from April 29 to May 2 at the Fraterna Domus retreat house in Sacrofano, Italy, is attended by about 300 priests.

The “distinct cultural, community forces” Africa’s Delegates to Synod on Synodality Want Integrated into Church Mission

Apr 26, 2024

Embracing the new way of being Church through Small Christian Communities (SCCs) and living out the spirit of “Ubuntu” are the two particular “cultural and community forces” that delegates representing the Church in Africa at the ongoing Synod on Synodality want integrated into the continental mission of the Church.

Delegates during the 1-6 March 2023 SECAM Plenary Assembly in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa. Credit: ACI Africa

Africa's Delegates to Synod in Synodality in Nairobi to “deepen their knowledge and understanding of Synodality”

Apr 23, 2024

Delegates to represent the Church in Africa at the second session of the Synod on Synodality are meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, to “deepen” their insights about Synodality ahead of the 2-29 October 2024 session in Rome.

Catholic Prelates Must “tread path of listening”: Archbishop on Ministry of Bishop in Mission of Church in Africa

Apr 19, 2024

Catholic Prelates cannot adequately fulfill their Episcopal Ministry if they ignore the virtue of listening, Archbishop Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye of Ghana’s Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi has said. 

Robert Cardinal Sarah addressing members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC). Credit: NECC

Cardinal Sarah Decries Paganism, Says Contemporary Church “experiencing temptation of atheism”

Apr 13, 2024

A section of Church leaders have aligned themselves with modern day values in the name “contemporary culture” akin to paganism, Robert Cardinal Sarah has noted with concern. 

Robert Cardinal Sarah with members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC). Credit: NECC

Cardinal Sarah Urges Africa’s Catholic Bishops to Defend “unity of faith” in October 2024 Synod on Synodality Session

Apr 12, 2024

Robert Cardinal Sarah has urged Catholic Bishops in Africa to be keen on defending the Catholic faith, voicing their opposition to defenders of “particular cultures” during the October 2024 session of the ongoing Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis extended to 2024, with the first session, 4-29 October 2023, having concluded with a 42-page summary report.

Participants during three-day formation workshop for Rectors and other formators in Seminaries of the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA). Credit: African Synodality Initiative (ASI)

Fostering “culture of listening” in Seminaries, Inclusion of Women among Recommendations of IMBISA Formation Workshop

Apr 12, 2024

Seminary Rectors and other formators in the nine member countries of the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA), who have been participating in a formation workshop in South Africa have recommended that formators “use the method of conversation in spirit to develop a culture of listening”.

Participants during three-day formation workshop for Rectors and other formators in Seminaries of the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA). Credit: African Synodality Initiative (ASI)

IMBISA Gathers Formators in Response to Synod on Synodality’s Call for “extensive revision of priestly formation”

Apr 10, 2024

The leadership of the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) has partnered with the African Synodality Initiative (ASI) to gather Rectors and other formators in Seminaries in the nine-nation region for a three-day formation workshop organized under the theme, “A Synodal approach to Priestly formation”.

Spiritans ministering in Kenya, who gathered for their Occasional Meeting at St. Austin's Msongari Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi on 9 April 2024. Credit: ACI Africa

We’re Called to Live Synodality in “international, intercultural communities”: Rome-based Priest to Spiritans in Kenya

Apr 9, 2024

The Church is inviting her members to promote, through practice, the spirit of Synodality, journeying and carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ through a collaborative approach, a Rome-based member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Spiritans/Holy Ghost Fathers) has said.

Cardinal Mario Grech and Pope Francis at the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 28, 2023. / Credit: National Catholic Register / Vatican Media

Controversial Comments by Secretary General of Synod of Bishops Add to List of Concerns on Postsynodal Study Groups

Mar 29, 2024

The Maltese cardinal stated in a recent interview that a female diaconate would not be a “revolution” but a “natural deepening of the Lord’s will.”

A poster announcing the March 14 webinar organized under the theme, “Church in Africa: Becoming Synodal in mission”. Credit: AMECEA

AMECEA Chairman on How to Foster Synodality in Families, Small Christian Communities

Mar 15, 2024

Initiatives towards training, engaging in dialogue, aiming for a common ground in decision-making processes, and the fostering of inclusive participation are some of the ways the spirit of Synodality can be fostered in families and among members of the new way of being Church in Africa, the Small Christian communities (SCCs), the Chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has said. 

Cardinal Mario Grech and Pope Francis at the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 28, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Study Groups to Examine 10 Synod on Synodality Themes Through June 2025

Mar 14, 2024

Church experts will meet in study groups to examine the question of women deacons and other key topics through June 2025.

Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles of the Archdiocese of Freetown during an interview with ACI Africa at his office in Freetown. Credit: Caritas Freetown

“Not synodal”, Archbishop in Sierra Leone against “monopolizing” Parts of Holy Mass

Mar 11, 2024

The Eucharist is the centre of a synodal Church requiring the participation of all “by virtue of their common baptism”, the Archbishop of Sierra Leone’s Catholic Archdiocese of Freetown has said, and cautioned individuals and groups against monopolizing activities of Holy Mass.

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). Credit: Nigeria Catholic Network

Bishops in Nigeria Briefed on “areas of concern” ahead of October Synod on Synodality

Feb 22, 2024

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have been briefed on what “should preoccupy” the people of God in the West African nation as the Church prepares for the second session of the Synod on Synodality, which has been scheduled to take place from 2-29 October 2024. 

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 29, 2023. | Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Launches Study Groups for Synod on Synodality's Key Issues, Announces Assembly Dates

Feb 17, 2024

The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis has launched synodal study groups to analyze key issues ahead of October’s Synod on Synodality assembly.