The Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis loosed on the world back in 2021, is still going strong— even if, after five prolix years, only a handful of Catholics outside the ecclesiastical bureaucracy know what the word “synodality” means.
If you’re a member of that ignorant majority, don’t feel bad. You’ll have many more opportunities to catch the drift of the conversation, which is fated to continue at least through October 2028. This week the Vatican’s Synod office released a document outlining the latest plans for the 3-year review process following the 5-year process that culminated in the 2-year process of general meetings of the Synod of Bishops.
Did I say “outlining” the plans? That “outline” runs to 18 pages and about six thousand words; the organizers of the synodal process are nothing if not wordy. And did I say “process”? That particular word occurs more than 35 times in the new Vatican document. (I cannot provide a definitive count because when I try to concentrate on the text, my eyes lose vertical hold.)
Synodality is a process; that much has become evident. In theory this process brings together Catholics— and others; everyone is welcome— to talk about the process. These conversations begin at the parish level, then extend to dioceses, to countries, to continents, and finally culminate in the grand finale in Rome.
You might think that we’ve already been through this process, and you’d be right. Except that the “finale” was not final. After the first meeting of the Synod bishops (and others; see above) in Rome, Pope Francis called for a second plenary meeting. And after that meeting, the Synod office announced that the Pope had authorized the aforementioned 3-year review of the process.
