‘The beatitude of meekness is the spiritual soul of the synodal journey.’
—Cardinal Mario Grech
Speaking at the recent meeting of Cardinals in Rome, Cardinal Mario Grech offered a report on the implementation journey the universal Church is undertaking in response to the most recent Synod of Bishops.
The ‘Synod on Synodality’ was a worldwide process launched by Pope Francis in October 2021 to encourage the Catholic Church to reflect together on how it listens, discerns and makes decisions. It focused on the question: ‘How can the Church journey together more effectively in its mission?’
Pope Leo XIV has continued to lead the Church along the synodal path, noting that ‘synodality is a style, an attitude that helps us to be Church by promoting authentic experiences of participation and communion’ (Pope Leo XIV, address to General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, 26 June 2025).
Synodality … helps the Church to listen more attentively to the questions of humanity, to recognise the signs of the times, to value the gifts of all, and to discern together the steps to be taken.
Our Church contexts throughout the world are different, and the synod journey has been embraced in a variety of ways. Recognising this, Cardinal Grech noted that the process ‘has awakened throughout the Church a widespread desire for participation, mutual listening and communal discernment’. In reflecting on the challenges of our times, he observed that ‘synodality appears ever more clearly as a missionary resource. It helps the Church to listen more attentively to the questions of humanity, to recognise the signs of the times, to value the gifts of all, and to discern together the steps to be taken’.
Here in Melbourne, with the release of the first two synod theme papers (Missionary Leadership and Formation and Participation), we now embark on the next step of our own local synodal journey. The Melbourne Synod, convoked by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli earlier this year, is an invitation to our local communities to listen attentively to the Holy Spirit and to discern how we are called to proclaim the Gospel more faithfully in our time and place. The purpose of this synod is to help shape our evangelical and missionary priorities for the years ahead.
The papers have been prepared to assist with reflection on the themes. As we reflect, we are encouraged to ponder these questions:
Where is the Holy Spirit leading our Archdiocese at this time? Whom are we being called to accompany in faith more intentionally? How might we reflect the face of Christ more clearly in our local Church?
The papers aim to foster a spirit of hope and imagination, trusting that, as we walk together, God is calling us into a future marked by faithfulness, renewal and deeper communion.
Conversation in the Spirit … has a gentle rhythm, helping us all to listen deeply to one another and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Our point of departure for our reflection is, of course, our own experience. We may ponder what experiences of formation and participation we have had in recent years. We might reflect on what discipleship means to us, or how we live as missionary disciples, or we might observe how others live out their missionary calling. Or perhaps we are drawn to thinking deeply about young people and how we can best nurture and encourage them in their encounter with Jesus and their involvement in the community of believers.
We have taken conversations in the Spirit as our method for consultation. We have learnt through recent consultation opportunities that conversation in the Spirit offers a prayerful approach to communal discernment. It has a gentle rhythm, helping us all to listen deeply to one another and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is a process of listening, reflection and discernment.
It is also an encouragement for us all to learn that true listening is not based in an effort to persuade others or win an argument but to discover together how God may be calling us as a community to be together on the way.
Each of the theme papers concludes with our consultation questions, and feedback can be submitted via the QR code provided. Alternatively, please feel free to email any comments to [email protected].
As we continue our synodal journey and prepare for the Melbourne Synod, may our prayerful conversations, shared discernment and faithful feedback inspire in all of us a sense of renewed encounter with Jesus. May our encounter encourage in us a desire to help shape the next chapter of the Church’s mission and witness in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.