“Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
(Rev 2:7)
Following the engagement process of 2021-2023 and the Synod of Bishops in 2024,
we are now in the Implementation Phase of the Synodal Church.
As a diocese we have two responsibilities:
- Hold Synodal conversations through the end of 2026 generating a diocesan report for submission to regional/national bodies in early 2027
- Develop and implement ongoing structures and programming to ensure a continued Synodal Church moving forward.
What is a Synodal Church?
A Synodal Church works to meet people where they are at, invite shared experiences in mutual safety and respect, and offer paths of deeper connection with God, the church, and each other.
Pope Leo XIV has described a Synodal Church as “a church that walks together, a church that always seeks peace, always seeks charity, always seeks to be close especially to those who suffer … We are a missionary church, a Church that builds bridges and encourages dialogue, a church ever open to welcoming.”
How Do We Do That?
Through a process of Listening, Encountering, Dialoguing and Discerning
Vision: For the church to make visible to all the invisible heart of God:
- Highlighting the church and its people, who they are and what they are doing that is lifegiving
- Expanding into the margins and places to shift ‘invisible’ to ‘visible’
The Implementation Phase is being introduced during Lent 2026.
Current Timeline
Lent: introduction and discernment
Spring: official launch of Synod 2028
Spring through Autumn: conversations and plans for immediate and long-term actions
Advent: closing conversations
Jan/Feb 2027: diocesan, regional reports
June-Dec 2027: national/international reports
Jan-March 2028: continental assemblies
October 2028: Ecclesiastical Assembly
2028 and beyond: Continued Synodality
Meanwhile, we are invited now to begin and continue your Synodal journey.
This Synod resource includes reflections and prayers for the five weeks of Lent, inspired by the Five sections of the Synod Final Report.
Also Available:
Bulletin notices, social media graphics and Prayers of the Faithful for the five weeks of Lent.
We as a Diocese continue to pray for the Synod and encourage continued Synod conversations in our parishes and communities.
The invitation remains to continue conversations, continue opening our hearts to the Holy Spirit and to continue our journeys together as the people of God.
Synod Prayer Cards are available from our Chancery Office for parishes, groups, and individuals wishing them.
Contact our Chancery Office, Monday through Friday, 9 am – noon,
Ph 1-902-863-3335 or email: chancery@dioceseofantigonish.ca
This and other resources are available at Synod.ca
Synod Reports 2021-2023
The Synthesis Report from October 2023:
https://www.synod.va/en/synodal-process/the-universal-phase/documents.html
North American Report to the Synod of Bishops 2023
North-American-Final-Document-English
North-American-Final-Document-French
The National Report submitted to Rome on August 15, 2022
Diocesan Report to the Synod 2022
This diocesan report was submitted to the Atlantic Bishops in June 2022 for inclusion in the Atlantic Regional Report.
In July 2022, the Atlantic Regional Report was completed and submitted to the National Office of Canadian Bishops for inclusion in the Canadian National report.
