Pastoral Concerns

Synod on Synodality: ‘Letter to the People of God’

Synod on Synodality: ‘Letter 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.

Three images of a synodal Church

Three images of a synodal Church

The term, Synod (syn-hodos), literally means together-on-the-way. This “walking together” could not be better exemplified than the convergence of 1.5 million pilgrims in Lisbon for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day on August 1-6, 2023.

An invitation to ‘respond’, not ‘react’

An invitation to ‘respond’, not ‘react’

yes, we are hurt, and we may have every reason to be offended. But remember that we take offense only for love of God and of our faith. Let that love teach us, not to react, but to respond in a spiritually intelligent way.