Listening, Consultation and Diocesan Synthesis for the Universal Synod

On October 9-10th in Rome Pope Francis launched the theme of the 2023 Synod of Bishops – For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.  The diocesan phase of the Synod was introduced in every parish across the Archdiocese of Armagh on October 17th 2021.   This phase which involved all local Churches across the globe has represented the largest consultation of the lay faithful ever to take place and examines what life is like in the Church at this moment in time.

During February and March parishes, communities, schools and groups across the Archdiocese of Armagh focused on listening and discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit in the Archdiocese of Armagh.

This listening culminated in a Pre-synodal gathering that took place in the Armagh City hotel on Tuesday 10th May and further to this a diocesan Synthesis was collated. The Archdiocese of Armagh’s synthesis, which can be accessed by clicking the link below, has been passed on to the Irish Bishops Conference for consideration as part of the Irish Churches submission to the Universal Synodal Process.

The Secretariat for the Synod in Rome released the working document for the Continental Stage of the Universal Synod on Thursday 27th October 2022, this document represents the fruits of a worldwide consultation that is unprecedented in the history of the Church. Parishes across the Archdiocese of Armagh are now being asked to reflect on this very important document and deepen conversations offering some thoughts on the document.

The Archdiocese will collate feedback from parishes and gather again in December 2022 to discuss the fruits of reflection on the Document presented by the General Secretariat.  

A pastoral letter from Archbishop Eamon and Bishop Michael along with the working document for the continental phase and both the diocesan and national synthesis can be accessed by

Clicking any of the images below.