Vision The Synod, 2021 - 2028 Pope Francis formally opened the Synod in Rome in October 2021. The overall theme is ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission’. The Synod of Bishops on Synodality took place in two sessions: in October 2023 and October 2024. The second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod took place in Rome from 2 – 27 October 2024. Synod 2025-2028 On 11 March 2025, Pope Francis approved the start of a process of accompaniment and evaluation of the implementation phase of the Synod. This is envisaged to be a three-year journey leading to the celebration of the ecclesial assembly in October 2028. This journey will be structured in such a way to offer adequate and sustainable times for the implementation of the Synod’s indications, while also providing for some significant moments of evaluation. Archbishop Bernard has reappointed Canon Paul Fitzpatrick as Synodal Lead for the Archdiocese for a further three-year term. Canon Paul will lead the implementation phase of the Synod across the Archdiocese. Canon Paul said: "I am delighted to be able to continue to build on the firm foundations we have put in place over the last three years; especially at this moment when the Church moves from learning about Synodality, into its full implementation. "Co-responsibility and our Diocesan Vision have always been an integral part of the implementation of Synodality across our Archdiocese. We have sought to plant Co-responsibility and our Diocesan Vision in every Parish and Deanery within the Archdiocese. The implementation phase of the Synod will give us all even greater impetus to take this good work even further." ‘Take outs’ resource launched to complement Synod’s Final Document A simple and accessible ‘take-outs’ resource has been published to help Catholics engage with the Synod on Synodality’s Final Document. Produced by the Diocese of Westminster, the resource is particularly useful ahead of the ‘Implementation Phase’ that Pope Francis has recently commissioned the Church to move into as we journey to the celebration of an ecclesial assembly in the Vatican in October 2028. Read/download The resource is titled: How to be a Synodal Church in Mission. Take-outs from the Final Document: ‘An Informal Reaping of the Fruits’. Synodal Journey – Final Document Take-outs Synod on Synodality – Final Document You can follow the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on these specific social channels: Facebook: @16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops X: @16SynodAssembly Instagram: @16ordinarygs You can watch Daily Briefings via Vatican News Jump to: Diocesan Synthesis and latest news Diocesan point of contact Diocesan handbook Parish Synod events Diocesan Synod events Synod prayer Synod resources Diocesan Synthesis and Latest News April 2022: The Diocesan response to the Synod has been completed and sent to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Diocesan Synthesis June/July 2022: Publication of the National Synthesis by the Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Bishops' Reflection. National Synthesis Bishops' Reflection on the Synodal National Synthesis October 2022: Publication of the document for the Continental Stage of the Synod “Enlarge the space of your tent” January 2023: The Archdiocese completed and submitted the Diocesan Response for the Continental Stage (DCS) February 2023: The Continental Assembly, part of the Catholic Church’s ongoing synodal journey, took place in Prague from 5-12 February. Rev Dr Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission at the Bishops’ Conference and a priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, is part of the delegation. Here he gives an update on the work of the Continental Assembly. The Right Reverend Nicholas Hudson, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, also gave an intervention at the Continental Assembly in Prague. Access it here Final statement from the Bishops in Prague April 2023: Synodal Process – Continental Phase The Final Text of the Prague Conference held in February has now been published. Read final text (The English text can be found halfway through the document beneath the Italian text). All of the final documents from the various assemblies are available to read here June 2023: Publication of Instrumentum laboris. The General Secretariat of the Synod publishes the “Instrumentum laboris”, the document that will guide the work of the two-part General Assembly that will meet in Rome in October 2023 and October 2024. Read Instrumentum Laboris July 2023: The Revd Dr Jan Nowotnik, a priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham working at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has been nominated by the Holy Father as an adviser at the Synod this October. Fr Jan nomination September 2023: Previewing the Synod which starts on Wednesday 4 October. You can follow the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on these specific social channels: Facebook: @16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops Twitter: @16SynodAssembly Instagram: @16ordinarygs October 2023: Letter of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to the People of God Canon Paul Fitzpatrick outlines how we are learning to become a listening Church, to act in a different way, to deepen the skills we are using. Writing in The Basilican magazine. Read article Publication of Synod report, Sat 28 Oct: A Church that involves everyone and is close to world's wounds May 2024: Synod Submission – Second Plenary Assembly 2024 You can read a reflection on the life of the Catholic Church in England and Wales that is offered as part of the ongoing synodal process and in preparation for the second meeting of the Synod of Bishops that will be held in Rome in October 2024. Synod Submission 2024 Towards October 2024 - Diocesan Submission to the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales July 2024: Publication of working document ahead of October 2024 The Holy See Press Office has released the Instrumentum laboris – or working document – that will guide the work of the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod that will be held in Rome from 2 – 27 October. Instrumentum laboris, Synod, October 2024 October 2024: Bishop Nicholas Hudson’s Synod dispatches - hope, humility and trust - at the half-way point of the Second Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome. Read account in full October 2024: Publication of the Synod's Final Document Read news story The Final Document - working translation in English January 2025: Bishop Nicholas Hudson, auxiliary bishop of Westminster and Synod delegate, was interviewed at the event 'From Rome to Home' by Avril Baigent, the Co-Director of the School for Synodality and a Synod facilitator. They discussed their shared experiences of the Synod in Rome, and what synodality might mean for our Catholic communities at home. Watch interview Diocesan point of contact Canon Paul Fitzpatrick is the Chair of the diocesan Synodal Pathway Committee. You can contact Canon Paul directly at [email protected] Diocesan handbook on the Synod: Walking Together A guide to help kickstart conversations on the Synod in your parishes and communities is now available to download.The 'Walking Together' handbook is a step-by-step guide of what to do as meetings get underway. The deadline to receive feedback from parish conversations was Monday 28 February 2022. The feedback sheet is on page 17 of the Diocesan handbook. Feedback should be sent to this address: [email protected] All are invited to participate. And if you need help please email [email protected] DOWNLOAD handbook Parish Synod Events Conversations are now taking place in parishes and communities across the Archdiocese. We are all invited to journey together. If you're unable to make a meeting in your own parish, consider joining an event at a neighbouring parish. We're happy to promote your events here. Diocesan Synod Events (2023) Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission The group's recent forum was held on Zoom and focused on Walk Together - To discuss the Synod and how Justice and Peace can be incorporated into parish and group discussions. How can parish Justice and Peace groups get involved? Canon Paul Fitzpatrick was the guest speaker. You can now watch back four online information sessions, recorded on Zoom. Featuring guest speakers Fr Jan Nowotnik, Dr Mary McCaughey, Canon Paul Fitzpatrick (two parts) and Vron Smith. Handout to accompany Vron Smith's session Adsumus Prayer for the Synod We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal lifeand not stray from the way of truth and what is right.All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen Download Prayer Synod Resources Listen to podcast: Parish Priest Fr Robert Taylerson introduces Spiritual Discernment in the context of Walking Together. Reflections to help with our Synod journey. Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Watch! Archbishop Bernard's Pastoral Letter on the Synodal Pathway Watch! Explaining the Synod process with Fr Jan Nowotnik Holy Father's Address to the Faithful Suggested tools for reflecting, sharing and responding to the questions of the Synod The Spiritual Conversation Discerning the path for your diocese Synodal Process Preparatory Document Synod Vademecum Mgr Tim Menezes - Time to Reflect, October 2021, Synodality Synod website Pray for the Synod website and app Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales website The Synod - FAQ's Manage Cookie Preferences