In October 2021, the Universal Catholic Church embarked on its first-ever journey of prayerful listening, dialogue and discernment to envision the future.

This unprecedented global initiative by Pope Francis -- inviting the entire People of God to contemplate the Church's present and future -- is known as the Synod (assembly) on Synodality.

The Synod is grounded in listening to the voices — supportive, critical, traditional, contemporary, active and inactive — of Catholics and non-Catholics worldwide.

For the past year, parishes, religious orders, agencies, organizations and communities have opened their doors to hundreds of millions of people who have shared their joys and sorrows about the Church. Individuals have also offered reflections. Those voices have been summarized at every level and submitted to the Vatican.

"Globally," the Vatican reports, "participation exceeded all expectations."

With the initial gatherings complete, the summary reports from every level -- parish, diocesan, national and Vatican -- are now available.
Click below to view the:

• St. John Chrysostom Parish report
  to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia;

• Archdiocese of Philadelphia report
  to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops;

• National synthesis by the U.S. Conference
  of Catholic Bishops to the Vatican; and

• Vatican's Oct. 27, 2022, global summary (the Working Document for the Continental Phase)

• The Instrumental Laboris document for the October 2023 session

These reports reflect the shared joys and sorrows of billions of Catholics worldwide: joy at the opportunity to reflect together on their Church; and sorrow at its flaws, including what is widely seen as a culture of exclusion.

Overwhelmingly, those voices echo the call of Isaiah 54:2 that opens the Vatican report: "Enlarge the space of your tent."

"Enlarging the tent requires welcoming others into it, making room for their diversity," the Vatican writes. 

Quoting the submission from Zimbabwe, the report adds: “Largely, what emerges from the fruits, seeds and weeds of synodality are voices that have great love for the Church, voices that dream of a Church of credible witnesses, a Church that is inclusive, open and welcoming Family of God."

Overall, the Vatican notes, those in the pews keenly feel the absence of others who do not feel welcome. The majority call on the institutional Church to be more welcoming of everyone -- youth, LGTBQ+ individuals, divorced people and more; to elevate the role of women; and to create a co-responsible model of leadership that draws clergy and laity in partnership. And while clericalism continues to draw criticism, there is great concern for the welfare of beloved clergy members as well.

All of these reflections and many more will be carried into the Synod's next phase.

What's Next?

Oct. 4-29, 2023: The XVI General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will convene its first session. The second session will follow in October 2024.