Synod General Assembly Writes Letter "to the People of God"
Participants in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops have approved a Letter to the People of God giving thanks for their experience, detailing the work of the past few weeks, and expressing the hope that in the coming months, everyone will be able to "concretely participate in the dynamism of missionary communion indicated by the word 'synod'".
Date Posted:
26-Oct-2023
A view of participants during the Synod. Image: Vatican Media
"We will encourage understanding and practice of our faith, informed by new knowledge and the interaction of science, theology and spirituality." (Chapter Statement)
Letter of the
XVI Ordinary General Assembly
of the Synod of Bishops
to the People of God
Dear sisters, dear brothers,
As the proceedings of the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops draw to a close, we want to thank God with all of you for the beautiful and enriching experience we have lived. We lived this blessed time in profound communion with all of you. We were supported by your prayers, bearing with you your expectations, your questions, as well as your fears. As Pope Francis requested two years ago, a long process of listening and discernment was initiated, open to all the People of God, no one being excluded, to “journey together” under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, missionary disciples engaged in the following of Jesus Christ.
The session in which we have been gathered in Rome since 30 September is an important phase of this process. In many ways it has been an unprecedented experience. For the first time, at Pope Francis’ invitation, men and women have been invited, in virtue of their baptism, to sit at the same table to take part, not only in the discussions, but also in the voting process of this Assembly of the Synod of Bishops...
Mark O’Connor FMS, Vicar for Communications for the Diocese of Parramatta, has been reporting on the Synod of Bishops from Rome. His weekly personal reflections can be downloaded below:
Reflection 5: “We have to live that dream into stories”: Letter Five from a listening and global Synod
Reflection 4: ‘The meaning is in the waiting’: Letter Four from a listening and global Synod
Reflection 3: 'Put out to sea!' Letter Three from a listening and global Synod
Reflection 2: 'Ear to the Ground': Letter Two from a listening and global Synod
Reflection 1: ‘Trust the God of surprises!' Letters from a listening and global Synod