🌍 A New Pope Committed to Synodality
On 8 May, the Church welcomed Pope Leo XIV, whose Urbi et Orbi message from the balcony of St Peter’s made an immediate and moving call to journey forward together. In his very first public words as pontiff, he declared:
“We want to be a synodal Church, a Church that moves forward, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close above all to those who are suffering.”
It was a clear commitment to lead the Church in the spirit of communion, participation, and mission — the very pillars of a synodal Church.
Just two days later, in his address to the College of Cardinals on 10 May, Pope Leo reaffirmed this vision by calling the Church to a renewed dedication to the journey already begun:
“I would like us to renew together today our complete commitment to the path that the universal Church has now followed for decades in the wake of the Second Vatican Council… Pope Francis masterfully and concretely set it forth in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, from which I would like to highlight several fundamental points [including]… growth in collegiality and synodality…”
These words offer a strong and clear signal that the synodal journey is not a temporary phase, but the enduring way the Church is called to be in the modern world — listening, discerning, and walking forward as the one people of God.
Pope Leo’s emphasis on a synodal Church that moves forward provides great encouragement for the Irish Synodal Pathway as we continue this journey with fresh hope and deep communion with the universal Church.
Note: Image of Pope Leo XIV is courtesy of Vatican Media
🕊️ National Team's Discernment at Dalgan Park
On 15 and 16 May, the National Synodal Team gathered for a two-day discernment retreat at Dalgan Park. With prayerful reflection and deep conversation, the team reviewed extensive feedback from the spring gatherings held by dioceses, groups, religious congregations, and movements across the country. You may recognise our former chairperson, Dr Nicola Brady, in the picture. Nicola graciously came and assisted the team in its discernment, which was facilitated by Jim Deeds.
This critical stage of distillation and discernment is preparing the way for the Pre-Synodal Assembly on 18 October at the Kilkenny Convention Centre – a key step as we continue to shape the Church of the third millennium, together.
More news will follow in the coming weeks. In the meantime, let us remain attentive to the Spirit and supportive of one another on this journey.
📍 Synodality Workshop in Kildare: June 28–29
We’re excited to support the upcoming Workshop on Synodality at Curryhills House, Prosperous, Co. Kildare, hosted by the Evangelii Gaudium Center of Sophia University Institute and in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Synod.
This is open to clergy, religious, and laypeople seeking to learn more.
🟡 Download the flyer for full details by clicking on the image!
🗓️ Dates: June 28–29, 2025
📌 Location: Curryhills House, Prosperous, Co. Kildare
🔗 Register by 15 June 2025
Come and deepen your understanding of the theological foundations of synodality and learn practical methods of listening, discerning, and cultivating participation in your local church.
