Synod 2021-2023 North America: For A Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission

Pope Francis has approved a new three-stage process for the next gathering of the Synod of Bishops; this process continues his efforts to reform the Catholic Church in accordance with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. His aim is to involve the whole church at diocesan, national and continental levels through a process of “listening and discernment” on the important theme of synodality: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission.”

Pope Francis declared that the synod will open in the Vatican and in every diocese throughout the Catholic world in October 2021. It will begin with a “diocesan phase” (October 2021 until April 2022) and then move to a “continental phase” (September 2022 through March 2023) before concluding in “the universal church phase” at the Vatican with the synod of bishops in October 2023.

The Eparchial Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos formally opened the consultation process in the St. Mary Queen of Peace Eparchy on October 20, 2021, at St. Vincent De Paul Cathedral in Elmont, New York. Please pray for this important work and for the success of the Synod.