Implementation phases of the Final Synod Document
Image credit: Synod Va
The Synodal Process was always designed in phases, aiming to support the journey of synodality into church teaching. Phase one was the ‘Consultation of the People of God’, Phase two the ‘Discernment of the Pastors’ (which included the two Synod Assemblies 2023-2024) and finally the third phase - ‘The Implementation for a Synodal Church’.
The guiding document for phase three is the Final Document from the Second Session of the 16th Assembly (officially called ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission’).
This document is beautiful and inspiring, but also can be rather technical in places. Our Synod Document resources are designed to help you explore this in more depth.
Useful Resources from the School for Synodality
All of our resources are designed to help support the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church in our day to day practice, as laid out by the Final Synod Document. You can explore all of our resources here, we suggest starting with the three below:
Implementation Phase for Synod - ‘Pathways’ Document
Image credit: Synod Va
The Pathways Document by the Synod Secretariat aims to offer local Churches throughout the world both a shared framework that will make it easier to walk together, and to promote the dialogue that will lead the whole Church to the Ecclesial Assembly in October 2028. It answers these questions:
What is the implementation phase and what are its objectives?
Who will participate in the implementation phase? What are their tasks and responsibilities?
How to engage with the Final Document during the implementation phase?
What method and tools can help shape our path during the implementation phase?
Towards the Assemblies 2027-28 - Document
Image credit: Synod Va
The General Secretariat of the Synod have published a document as a guide for local churches, called Towards the 2027–2028 Assemblies: stages, criteria, and tools in preparation for the 2027–2028 Assemblies’. The worldwide Synodal Assemblies planned for the coming years constitute a decisive step in the implementation of the Synod.
The implementation phase does not introduce additional tasks alongside the ordinary life of communities; rather, it orients and renews that life from within. The indications offered here are intended to help give more concrete form to the process already underway, by specifying the involvement of the local Churches and of the different spheres of ecclesial communion.