For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission

The Synodal Process’s Three Phases

In 2021, the late Pope Francis launched a global synodal process in the Church to consist of three phases. The first phase began with listening at the diocesan level with clergy, laity, religious and other groups. National episcopal conferences reviewed and synthesized feedback from the dioceses, which they shared with the Synod Secretariat in 2022.

In the next phase, continental assemblies met in early 2023 to discern common themes across and provided continental reports to the Synod Secretariat.

Phase three consisted of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, held over two sessions that took place in Rome 4–29 October 2023 and 2–27 October 2024. For the first time, the voting members of these sessions included not only bishops, but also clergy, religious, and laity.

The Synod produced a Final Document which was approved by Pope Francis following the General Assembly in 2024.

The Implementation Phase

Following the conclusion of the Synod, it was announced that a new implementation phase would take place. This three-year process began in 2025 with the release of a document titled Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod. This document invites episcopal conferences and Catholics around the world to welcome and integrate the fruits of the synod in a receptive manner as appropriate to their respective countries and regions.

Ad Hoc Committee for the Implementation Phase

To support this implementation phase, the CCCB created an Ad Hoc Committee for the Implementation of Synodality in the Church in Canada, whose mandate lasts for the period of the implementation phase (i.e., 2025–2028).

Its work will include:

• creating and sustaining a national network of Catholics to identify needs and best practices and to share helpful information;
• identifying and sharing resources that will be useful at the local level;
• reflecting on the meaning of synodality and moving toward a common understanding; and
• supporting the CCCB in its communications with the Synod Secretariat, other episcopal conferences, and the faithful in Canada.