Lived Catholicism Conference exploring Synodality
Following the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality and during the Jubilee Year, academics are being invited to join the third online Lived Catholicism Conference, taking place December 2-3, 2025 that offers a crucial space to examine how synodality is being lived, resisted, and reimagined across diverse contexts.
There will also be over 30 presentations from scholars and practitioners spanning five continents, exploring voices from the margins, interdisciplinary learning, cultural contexts, theology and critical questions.
So whether you're an academic researcher, pastoral worker, theologian, or someone passionate about the Church's journey of renewal, this conference offers rich opportunities for learning, dialogue, and connection with others doing this vital work.
Our Director Avril Baigent is one of the organisers, and we are thrilled that some of the keynote speakers are already known to our School for Synodality community. Our Book Club earlier this year took the six chapters of the Final Document and explored each one in turn, with fantastic insights from experts in the field and who are also speaking at the upcoming conference.
Dr Anna Rowlands explored chapter two with us, reflecting on mission and ministry in a changing world
Dr Estella Padilla deftly brought us through chapter three, exploring discernment and decision-making.
Archbishop Jason Gordon showed the journey in chapter six from theory and discernment to synodal communion and action.
About the Conference
Venue: The conference is entirely online with sessions scheduled to accommodate participants across time zones
Cost: Registration to attend is low cost, ranging from £30 standard registration fee, to £15 for students and anyone from the global south, and free for Durham University and Notre Dame University students and staff members.
Register for the conference here: https://livedcatholicism.org/.
Why This Conference Matters Now
Following the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality and during the Jubilee Year, this conference offers a crucial space to examine how synodality is being lived, resisted, and reimagined across diverse contexts. With over 30 presentations from scholars and practitioners spanning five continents, we'll explore:
Voices from the Margins: LGBTQ Catholics, migrant communities, young adults, and women's leadership
Interdisciplinary learning: How synodal processes connect with community organising, parish strategic planning, and pastoral care
Cultural Contexts: From African theological responses to Belgian youth engagement, from Filipino devotional practices to Western Sydney's intercultural reality
Theological reflections: exploring new questions arising from the synod process
Critical Questions: Examining liturgical discrimination, clergy burnout, the sensus fidei, and what authentic ecclesial change requires
Explore the full programme here: https://livedcatholicism.org/lived-catholicism-programme/