Book Club - Reading the Final Synod Document
Reading the Final Synod Document Together -
the School for Synodality’s Online Book Club
21st May - 25th June 2025
After four weeks of listening, discerning and writing in October 2024, the final day of the Rome Synod Assembly brought a dramatic surprise from Pope Francis - that the recommendations of the Assembly would become Church teaching. The three year listening process was over, and it was now time to get on with implementing it.
The Final Synod Document (officially ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission’) is our guide to the implementation, and while beautiful and inspiring, can be rather technical in places (episcopal conferences and Vatican dicasteries, anyone??).
To enable us to reflect on the document in more depth, the School for Synodality is organising an online bookclub with a stellar cast of experts. Each week we will unpack a different section of the Final Synod Document, reflecting on its theological and practical implications, with time for questions afterwards.
To watch live, register for the link for the webinars on YouTube, the dates are below. The sessions will also be available on YouTube and on our Podcast afterwards at your convenience.
The sessions are suitable for small groups or individual reflection, so why not gather a group in your parish and get inspired together?
The School for Synodality held our first series of webinars in Autumn 2023 called ‘Practising Synodality’ with guest speakers exploring a variety of topics, which you can watch here >>.
Part 1: The Heart of Synodality
Understanding the theological roots of what we are about
21st May 2025 - with guest speaker Jos Moons SJ
Part 2: The Conversion of Relationships
mission and ministry in a changing world
28th May 2025 - with guest Prof Anna Rowlands
Part 3: The Conversion of Processes
Discernment, decision-making and accountability
4th June 2025 - with guest Dr Estela Padilla
Part 4: The Conversion of Bonds
The geeky week exploring Vatican Dicasteries, Episcopal Conferences, relating to other churches and religions, the role of the Pope and more
11th June 2025 - with guest Prof Cathy Clifford
Part 5: Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship
We need everyone in the boat
18th June 2025 with guests David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul
Part 6 Conclusion: A Feast for All Peoples
What next for our Church?
25th June 2025 with guest Archbishop Jason Gordon