The word ‘synod’ says it all: it means ‘journeying together.’ The Book of Acts is the story of a journey that started in Jerusalem, passed through Samaria and Judea, then on to the regions of Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, ending up in Rome. A journey that reveals how God’s word, and the people who heed and put their faith in that word, journey together. The word of God journeys with us. Everyone has a part to play; no one is a mere extra. This is important: everyone has a part to play. The Pope, the Cardinal Vicar and the auxiliary bishops are not more important than the others; no, all of us have a part to play and no one can be considered simply as an extra.” (Address of his Holiness Pope Francis to the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, Sept. 2021)
All are invited to learn more about the synod both globally and here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. We are providing resources for this study and will be updating this page as new resources become available.
If there is a resource you would like to see added, please use our question form to let us know.
- Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., wrote this letter to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in support of the synod.
- The Vatican released this Preparatory document as a way for people to better understand this particular Synod and to get into the right frame of mind for it.
- The Vademecum is a handbook for how the Synod will unfold around the world. The word vademecum means “walk with me” so this document is a companion for bishops and their conferences to use in their local churches.
- In 2015, at a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis delivered an address on what synodality means.
- In 2018 the International Theological Commission released the results of several years of study on Synodality in the life and mission of the church.
- Pope Francis urged the priests in his own diocese of Rome to support the Synod in this Sept 2021 address in Rome.
- The Vatican released this Preparatory document
- In November 2021, the Archdiocese of Atlanta Synod team released a presentation on how the Synod will roll out locally.
- The Aquinas Center at Emory University collaborated with the Catholic Lay Interparish Partnership to compile a resource page you may find helpful.
