Contextual Background
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, opened the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on October 17, 2021.
Called for by Pope Francis, the Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of spiritual discernment consisting of listening and dialogue throughout the Universal Church. The Holy Father called on Catholics around the world to reflect on the theme of “Communion, Participation, and Mission” in the context of the life of the Catholic Church.
The Synod provides an opportunity for serious reflection and action to deepen an understanding of the role of all the members of the Church, journeying together with Christ as our Head, in living the Gospel in our time.
Today’s Announcement
Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced the release of the official summary of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality which encapsulates the work of the Synod throughout the five-county Philadelphia region.
The Archdiocese synodal process, deeply rooted in prayer, included a widely distributed survey regarding the faithful’s journey with the Church, facilitator training for nearly 300 individuals, and more than 250 local and diocesan-hosted synodal listening sessions, conducted both virtually and in-person over the course of several months in 2021.
A group led by Reverend Monsignor Brian P. Hennessy, Archdiocesan Coordinator for the Synod and Pastor of Saint Alphonsus Church (Montgomery County), synthesized and contextualized participant feedback to draw out the most common themes and poignant insights shared. As part of the synodal process, that information was then shared with other dioceses in the region as well as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which recently published the U.S. National Synthesis.
The Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality was a significant opportunity for encounter as well as strengthening relationships within the local Church. These efforts, and the immediate results, are meant to mark the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the Archdiocese defined by a renewed and continuous openness to the Spirit of God working in us and through us.
The Archdiocesan summary and the U.S. National Synthesis summary will be used by the Bishops of the United States who travel to Rome in October 2023 for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
To read the official summary of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality, please click the dedicated link below.
# # #
Editor’s Note: To learn more about the Synod on Synodality and its implementation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit https://archphila.org/synod/.
Contact: Alaina N. Longo
Deputy Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)