The Church is moving toward becoming more synodal (walking together), which is really about learning how Catholics can listen, discern, and decide together more faithfully in today’s world. A major Vatican text released recently—the Final Document with an accompanying “Pathways for Implementation”—offers extensive theological reflection and practical suggestions. It is substantial, demanding to read, and not especially “poetic,” but those involved believe it matters because it signals a significant moment in how the Church understands itself and its mission.
Because many parishioners have heard little about synodality, a group of Sydney Catholics gathered at St Patrick’s Church, The Rocks, to help make the Vatican documents more accessible. They invited Justice François Kunc (a NSW Supreme Court judge known for clarity) and Gail Gil (a long-time Catholic educator and formator) to summarise and interpret the material. The night began with reflections from Pope Leo, who described synodality not as a campaign, but as a way of being Church—starting with listening: to God’s Word, to one another, and even to those who are searching for truth outside the Church.
Justice Kunc explained that summarising the Final Document was difficult because it can feel impenetrable to an intelligent lay reader. He argued that this lack of clarity is partly why reactions range from enthusiasm to fear, confusion, opposition, or indifference. He noted the document blends several “genres” at once—deep theology, a report of what happened, and recommendations—making it harder to grasp, especially since Pope Francis unusually adopted the document directly rather than writing a separate apostolic exhortation to interpret it.
Kunc’s distilled summary of synodality was: “dialogue, discern, decide.” Synodality is not an end in itself but a method—rooted in baptism and communion—through which the Church listens, speaks openly, and allows “conversion in conversation.” The goal is to reach decisions by discerning the Holy Spirit’s guidance for a missionary Church. He emphasised that it applies at every level (including the papacy), seeks unity-with-diversity (like musical harmony), and expects people to accept outcomes even when their personal view doesn’t prevail.
A key tension raised was authority: the document insists synodality does not change who holds authority, but changes how authority is exercised. Kunc questioned whether this is fully true in practice, giving the example of parish councils: synodality implies leaders can’t simply consult people and then ignore what emerges through genuine communal discernment. He highlighted that Pope Francis called the Final Document part of the Church’s ordinary magisterium (authoritative teaching, though not infallible), and said local churches are now expected to implement its proposals—sometimes immediately, sometimes requiring later changes to canon law.
Gail Gil then summarised the “Pathways” document, which focuses on implementation and is easier to follow. She noted that many people are energized by synodality, but many are tired, fearful, unaware, or even hoping it fades away. She stressed that Pope Leo is strongly committed to synodality and expects it to be embedded across the Church. Pathways encourages both personal and communal engagement with the Final Document—prayerful reading, shared conversation, and a process resembling lectio divina—but Gail acknowledged that helping parishes do this well will be challenging.
Both speakers returned repeatedly to two practical priorities: formation and mission. Synodality will not “take” unless people are formed in what it is—and unless it is grounded in a real context rather than treated as an abstract concept. They suggested a starting point for parishes is not endless meetings about synodality itself, but gathering people to ask: What does it mean to be missionary here? What are the real needs—loneliness, isolation, mental wellbeing, belonging—and how can we respond? Synodality becomes the way the Church learns to listen, build friendship, strengthen community life, and move together patiently—at a pace that doesn’t leave others behind.
Journal and reflect on the following questions- Listening:
Where do I notice genuine listening happening in my parish or community, and where might voices still be unheard or overlooked? - Walking Together:
What does “walking together” actually look like in my local Church context, rather than as an abstract idea or Church slogan? - Authority and Participation:
How might shared discernment challenge my assumptions about leadership, authority, or decision-making in the Church? - Mission:
In my parish, school or community, who are the people experiencing loneliness, exclusion, or struggle, and how might the Church respond more intentionally to them? - Conversion:
What attitudes, habits, or fears might I need to let go of in order to be more open to “conversion through conversation”? - Formation:
What kind of formation—spiritual, relational, or practical—do I personally need to participate more fully in a synodal Church? - Action:
What is one small, concrete step my parish, ministry, or community could take in the next six months to live synodality in a real and visible way?
Song - We are many parts
Final Prayer
Loving God,
you call us not to walk alone but to journey together as your people, listening with open hearts to your Spirit and to one another. Teach us to slow down, to be attentive, and to trust that you speak through every voice, especially those on the margins. Shape us into a Church of humility, courage, and compassion, where discernment leads to loving action and unity grows through difference. Send us out as a missionary people, formed by relationship, grounded in Christ, and committed to building communities of hope, belonging, and peace. Amen.
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