A synod is an advisory panel which allows for advice, feedback, and other input from the delegates to the Pope. It is a method of consulting among the delegates and the Pope himself. Catholic synod gatherings do not have the authority to make binding Church law. Catholic synods issue advisory documents for the Pope to consider.

• EWTN Vatican article and video about the History of Synods in the Catholic Church
• Chart of Synods Pre-Second Vatican Council
• List of Synods Post-Second Vatican Council
• Pope Francis’ Opening Address for the XVI Synod of Bishops, October 4, 2023

• At the opening of the Synodal Process of the Synod on Synodality on October 9, 2021, Pope Francis reiterated, "The Synod is not a parliament, the Synod is not an inquiry into opinions; the Synod is an ecclesial moment, and the protagonist of the Synod is the Holy Spirit. If there is no Spirit, there will be no Synod."
• It is not a democratic process of voting, nor is it a mechanism of making doctrinal changes. It is about giving input and consultation. In fact, the Church must be careful and make distinct efforts to include minority positions and input from the peripheries and those often on the outside or at a distance.

• In all cultural contexts, however, the terms "synodal" and “synodality" speak of a mode of being Church that integrates communion, mission, and participation. (Global Synthesis Report, #1.g)
• In its broadest sense, synodality can be understood as Christians walking in communion with Christ toward the Kingdom along with the whole of humanity. Its orientation is towards mission, and its practice involves gathering in assembly at each level of ecclesial life. It involves reciprocal listening, dialogue, community discernment, and creation of consensus as an expression that renders Christ present in the Holy Spirit, each taking decisions in accordance with their responsibilities. (Global Synthesis Report, #1.h)

• The Holy Father has asked that the Global Church revisit the engagement of the faithful in spiritual conversations/reflections that would assess how the process during the first phase has taken root in shaping the way we communicate and work together as one Baptized people of God in all areas of the Church
• “The objective of these new reflections is to identify the paths we can follow and the tools we might adopt in our different contexts and circumstances in order to enhance the unique contribution of each baptized person and each Church in the one mission of proclaiming the Risen Lord and His Gospel of the world today. This is not, therefore, a request that limits you to a plan of technical or procedural improvements to make the Church’s structures more efficient, but rather an invitation for reflection on the concrete forms of the missionary commitment to which we are called, that express the dynamism between unity and diversity proper to a synodal Church.” (Toward October 2024)

• As per the instructions in the document Toward October 2024 sent to the global Church from the General Secretariat for the Synod, dioceses are asked to view our “contexts and circumstances in order to enhance the unique contribution…” Given this understanding, the Diocese of Rochester has adapted the participation to our own reality.
• This process will not be a repeat or continuation of the consultation of the First Phase but a self-reflection on how the local process thus far has served the mission of the Church. The focus is on engaging the faithful in spiritual conversations of self-reflection and “stock taking of sorts” as a community of faith that can lead to a strengthening of the faith, reunifying, and commitment of the faithful in our local Churches and Diocese.

Visit this link to view the Diocesan Synod Participation Guidelines for the Interim Stage Towards October 2024

The local Churches and constituencies/entities have been presented with an Ignatian-styled methodology of Spiritual Conversations/Reflections for practice and used by the Holy Father and the General Secretariat for the Synod at the Global Synod Gathering in October 2023. This Synodal-style of dialogue provides a structured, spiritual, facilitated and welcoming process that reminds us the Holy Spirit is the one who leads our conversations toward God’s will and a more unified and mission driven Church and Children of God.

The focus is on learning to be a Church that is Holy Spirit guided in its dialogues when making decisions, guiding the faithful, strengthening the faith of the baptized and of all the Children of God. It also reminds all the baptized that, because of our membership in the Church, we are all responsible members and each have a role in this One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Body of Christ, the Church.

Individuals who wish to participate in the practice of these Synodal-style conversations can connect with their local parish communities. If a parish is not holding a gathering, groups may gather and practice synodal conversations then share the experience via the Diocese of Rochester Synod Interim Stage 2024 Conversation Response Form.

All the synthesized reports from the “grass-roots” (Diocesan reports) leading up to the Global Synod Gathering contributed to the conversations/dialogues that were had at the Synodal Gathering in Rome. A Global Synthesis Report was created that is the summary compilation of 20-points that emerged from the global consultation process in the first phase and session at the gathering for the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2023.

The 20-points listed are accompanied by “Convergences” that arose, “Matters for Consideration” as a Church family, and suggested “Proposals” for moving forward as a Church, keeping in mind the local “contexts and circumstances in order to enhance the unique contribution…”. (Toward October 2024) This is not a final document for change but a resource, along with the Global Guide (Toward October 2024) to prepare for the Second Session of the Synod Gathering in October 2024, for further dialogue on what the global Church brought to the for front as the lived reality of the universal Church today.

News release of the dates for the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Continue to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout all this process.