Synod on Synodality
Pope Francis has asked Catholics around the world to contribute to the upcoming Synod of Bishops by prayerfully considering its topic: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” The Holy Father invites the whole Church into “an exercise of mutual listening, conducted at all levels of the Church and involving the entire People of God.”
Diocese of Charlotte Synod: By the Numbers
Between January and early June 2022, more than 7,000 people across the Diocese of Charlotte participated in 400 listening sessions as part of the diocesan Synod, considering these questions:
- What are the most significant signs of the Lord’s presence in your life?
- What are the biggest challenges or questions you face in responding to the Lord’s call?
- What steps is the Holy Spirit suggesting to you and your community to respond more fully to the Christian vocation?
Most listening sessions (about 350) were held in person, involving about 6,000 people. More than 30 parishes and groups created and distributed online surveys to allow people who could not participate in one of the in-person listening sessions to contribute to the synod, involving 1,000 people. Synod sessions were held in English, Spanish, Tigrinya, Vietnamese and Korean.
Synod sessions were held by:
- More than 80% of our parishes and missions (76)
- Nearly all Diocese of Charlotte offices and ministries, including Catholic Charities, Family Life, Youth Ministry, Faith Formation, Hispanic Ministry, Vietnamese Ministry, and Korean Ministry
- Campus Ministry, for many of the college communities they serve
- Catholic Schools, with all of our diocesan schools
- Priests in at least 5 vicariates
- Permanent Deacons
- St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly
- 16 lay associations, apostolates and groups, plus more whose members participated in the synod process through their parishes
- 2 religious orders: the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
- Eritrean Catholics of Charlotte, an Eastern Rite Catholic community
Resources
- Downloadable prayer card English | Español
- Pope Francis’ homily for the Opening of the Synodal Path English | Español
- Communication resources on the Vatican’s Synod website (including a social media toolkit, posters, flyers, powerpoint templates and more)
- Synod resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (including sample Prayers of the Faithful, homily prompts, and more)
Latest news about the Synod
Synod work continues with focus on Church organization, how to better evangelize in today’s world
Church leaders are continuing to discuss issues of concern for Catholics today in a second series of listening sessions in the ongoing Synod on Synodality – this time, related to Church organization and structure.
Diócesis de Charlotte envió reporte final del Sínodo
Con el compromiso de siete mil personas, 76 parroquias, 400 sesiones de escucha, además de muchos ministerios y grupos involucrados, la Diócesis de Charlotte elaboró un informe sobre los sentimientos compartidos y recopilados durante su sínodo local, que comenzó el otoño pasado tras la invitación mundial realizada por el Papa Francisco.
Candid dialogue hallmark of final Synod listening session
During a gathering June 11, Synod representatives from across the Diocese of Charlotte shared what they heard from over 7,000 people at 400 listening sessions earlier this year. The discussion was frank and sometimes uncomfortable, but overall profound and unifying, leaders noted.“I invite you to join me in participating intentionally in the synodal path the Holy Father has called us to, for I am certain it will bear much fruit in the life of our diocese.”
Bishop Peter J. Jugis
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