Synodal Process

A Synod, which is the process by which the Church will begin this important work, is not just a convening of Bishops reflecting on a particular topic and advising the Pope. A Synod is a journey of discernment, in which the people of God are called to pray and reflect upon the Holy Spirit’s will for the Church. Through our listening and our sharing, we will seek to understand what the Holy Spirit’s will is for the topic being discussed – and thus, for the Church.

For the 2023 Ordinary Synod of Bishops, that topic is synodality. Simply put, synodality is discerning how the Spirit is moving through and with the Body of Christ, so that we may continue to fulfill our mission to evangelize in the world.

This synod is not about changing Church teaching but about listening to what the Holy Spirit is speaking into the hearts of the faithful. 

The upcoming Synod is the fruit of the Spirit and the discernment of our Holy Father reading the signs of the times. He states, “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.”[1] As Catholics, we are called to take up this mission in our own local Church, in or parishes, our communities, and in our families. By journeying together as a Church, and the Body of Christ and the People of God, we can better fulfill the missionary call of Christ: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

In the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Gregory Parkes has appointed Dr. Lois Locey, Secretary for Administration, to oversee the local effort. Details on this process will be shared with all parishes once it is available. Dr. Locey can be reached at llocey@dosp.org.

We invite you to visit this page often for news and updates.

News and Updates on the Synod on Synodality

• Pope Francis has chosen the single word, “Listen!” as the theme for the 56th World Communications Day.
• Church Needs to Hear God Speaking through those who are Hurting, Pope Says (September 2021)
• Synodal Process Is not about ‘Gathering Opinions,’ but ‘Listening to the Holy Spirit’ (September 2021)
• Vatican Releases Synod on Synodality Documents (September 2021)
• Synod of Bishops Publishes List of Commission Members (July 2021)
• Synod of Bishops will Begin in Local Churches (May 2021)
• Pope Francis Announces Synodal Process (May 2021)

Synod of Bishops Graphic (May 2021) This flowchart shows the timeline and process for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.New Paragraph