Five takeaways from the Jubilee of Synodal Teams in Rome
I recently returned from the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies in Rome, Oct. 24-26, with a renewed confidence of how synodality is alive and well in our Church. The seeds that have been planted are starting to grow shoots in different parts of the world.
There is much work to be done, but the energy and momentum to keep moving forward is there. I want to share some of this hope with you, our discerning deacons readers.
1. Developing a culture of transparency
The Jubilee of Synodal Teams, gathered nearly 2,000 people from every continent. Each continent prepared a 4 minute report on how their continent is taking steps to implement the Final Document of the Synod. Each continent could ask one question of Pope Leo.
Remarkably, all speeches, reports and Pope Leo’s answers to questions were recorded. You can read or watch them here.
2. Women’s participation remains a high priority
With their one continental question for Pope Leo, the European Church prioritized continued discernment and implementation towards increasing the role of women in a synodal Church. I’m grateful for their leadership. They asked, What hopes can women legitimately have in a synodal Church? Do you believe that a genuine cultural change is taking place in the Church, so that in the future equality between women and men in the Church can become a lived reality?
From my perspective what was most significant about Pope Leo’s answer is that he did not shut down the conversation about women. Similar to Pope Francis, he agrees that the conversation is open and needs to remain open. While there are Catholics who bemoan the slow pace of dialogue, and others who wish the conversation would go away, Pope Leo is signalling his support for continued synodal dialogue and trusting that this process will bear fruit for the mission of the Church.
This, together with the Vatican’s workshop that I attended entitled, “Women and Men Together for a Synodal Church” bolstered and affirmed my hope that the universal Church, including Discerning Deacons, will continue to exercise its protagonism around the question of women’s participation and the implementation of paragraph 60 of the Synod on Synodality’s final document (now magisterial teaching).
3. Working through resistance to synodality together
In a sign of embracing North America’s diverse language groups, the report from the U.S. and Canada was offered in English, Spanish, and French.. Question: Holy Father, what would you say to bishops and priests who are concerned that synodality may diminish their authority as pastors? How can we better understand and promote co-responsibility, accountability and transparency in our dioceses and parishes?
Pope Leo emphasized that genuine synodality requires formation at every level—for clergy, religious, and laity—so that everyone can understand and engage in the process with openness rather than fear. He noted that not everyone moves at the same pace, and that the Church must be patient, ensuring that progress in synodality proceeds together rather than leaving some behind. Formation and patience, he suggested, are key to fostering communion and co-responsibility in the life of the Church.
Towards formation and patience, here are some academic, spiritual and popular education materials that I am excited to discover and recommend to you:
- UK School for Synodality – Video series on The Final Synod Document
- Listening Together: Meditations on Synodality, Timothy Radcliffe
- Synodality and Women in Ministry, Samuel Canilang
- Synodality: A New Way of Proceeding in the Church, Rafael Luciani
- Reforming The Church: A Synodal Way of Proceeding, Serena Noceti
4. “Walking together” is increasingly possible when we gather for prayer, encounter, dialogue and conversation in the Spirit.
While in Rome, I connected with Fr. Steve, Sarah and LB from Association of U.S. Catholic Priests, Ashley from the Black Catholic Ministry in Atlanta, Helena, a Synod mother from Switzerland, Sr. Laura of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA), Cecilia of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Ellen from CENTERS, Bernadette from SCHEAP, Sr. Maria from UISG, Adela from WUCWO, Fr. Pedro from the Philippines, Serena from Florence, Deb from Korea, Maria from Slovenia, Brother Chris from Rome, Helena from Singapore, Avril from the UK, Mara from Germany, and so many others. Synodality is greatly enhanced by the listening relationships and friendships we are building domestically and internationally. As we keep listening to each other through time, the Holy Spirit continues to reveal how we are to walk together.
5. The Overall Theme – Keep Going!
I left the Jubilee of Synodal Teams energized to keep encouraging each of us in Discerning Deacons to grow our protagonism for a Synodal Church. Here’s how you can get involved.
- Learn: Women’s participation for a synodal Church will grow as we continue to organize conversations. Join us on Tuesday, November 18, 7-9 pm ET / 4-6 pm PT, for a virtual conversation and learn how to organize one in your community. Learn more here!
- Pray with the DD Synodal Rosary. Kathy Mattone of Versailles, KY and her daughter Madeline designed a new version with fresh images. It was unveiled at the UK School of Synodality gathering during the Jubilee of Synodal Teams. Download your copy here!
- Support our mission: Make a monetary contribution to the mission of Discerning Deacons. Every gift helps us to sustain our presence in Rome and to grow our presence in our local churches. Donate here!
We will meet up again in Rome for an implementation assembly in 2028, and there is so much work to be done before we arrive there. So, let us keep going together. Keep praying, learning, teaching, and offering experiences of synodality – Together.
Share this Article
