On Thursday 27 October 2022, the document for the European Continental Stage of the forthcoming Synod was published in Rome. Here is a link to the document: https://synod.ie/working-document-for-the-continental-stage-of-the-synod/
The working document, entitled Enlarge the Space of Your Tent (Isaiah 54:2), was based on the syntheses submitted by 112 Bishops’ Conferences, 15 Oriental Catholic Churches, plus reflections from 17 out of 23 dicasteries of the Roman Curia, from religious superiors, from institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, and from associations and lay movements of the faithful.
Welcoming the publication of the document, Archbishop Eamon Martin, President of the Irish Episcopal Conference said –
“I encourage as many people as possible to read the working document, which is entitled, Enlarge the Space of Your Tent (Isaiah 54:2). It is good note that the contribution of Ireland’s National Synthesis to the universal synodal process has been expressly referenced in today’s document. Overall the document gives us a glimpse of what people from around the universal Church are thinking about their participation in the mission of the Church at the beginning of this third millennium.
“In the coming weeks, dioceses and groups across Ireland will be invited to consider the working document, alongside their original submissions to the Irish Bishops’ Conference from earlier this year. It will be interesting to identify those areas of commonality and diversity, as well as to discern more deeply what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church at this time.” (Source: www.catholicbishops.ie )
Bishops encourage everyone to receive the document as a stimulus for further conversation, not as a manifesto or a declaration, rather as a document at the service of the synodal journey.
- The Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) of the Synod was launched by His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod, His Eminence Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, General Rapporteur of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (who connected via remote video), Professor Anna Rowlands, Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice, University of Durham, Father Giacomo Costa, SJ, Consultor of the General Secretariat of the Synod, and Rev Monsignor Piero Coda, Secretary General of the International Theological Commission.
- On Sunday 16 October 2022, Pope Francis announced that the upcoming 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (now known as “The Synod”) will be held in two sessions spaced one year apart, the first from October 4 to 29 2023 and the second in October 2024.
- The Synod in Rome will coincide with the ongoing Synodal Pathway process of discernment which the Church in Ireland is currently undertaking. For more information on this visit www.synod.ie
