At 12:15 p.m. today, the Press Conference for the presentation of the Document for the Continental Stage of the Synod on Synodality, on the theme: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission”, took place – live-streaming from the Holy See Press Office.

The Document for the Continental Stage is the fruit of the Syntheses resulting from the consultation of the People of God in the first phase of the synodal process and will be the focus of the time of listening dialogue, and discernment of the Continental Synodal Assemblies (January-March 2023).

Speakers included:

Most Eminent Card. Mario Grech, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod;

Most Eminent Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.I., Archbishop of Luxembourg; General Rapporteur of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (remotely connected);

Prof. Anna Rowlands, Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice, University of Durham;

Father Giacomo Costa, S.I., Consultor of the General Secretariat of the Synod;

Rev. Msgr. Piero Coda, Secretary General of the International Theological Commission.

The document consists of four chapters:

1. The experience of the synodal process
1.1 “The Fruits, Seeds and Bad Weeds of Synodality”.
1.2 The Common Baptismal Dignity

2. Listening to the Scriptures

3. Towards a missionary synodal Church
3.1 Listening that becomes welcoming
3.2 Sisters and brothers for mission
3.3 Communion, participation and co-responsibility
3.4 Synodality takes shape
3.5 Synodal life and liturgy

4. The next steps
4.1 A journey of conversion and reform
4.2 Methodology for the Continental Stage

Click here to read the full document