An excerpt from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Synthesis of Diocesan Reflections in preparation for the second session on synodality to be held in Rome Oct. 2-27.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops asked each diocese or eparchy to choose only two to three themes or questions from those listed in sections 8-12, 16, 18 of the 2023 Synthesis Report, and to organize sessions of reflection on these focused themes. The method of conversation in the Spirit was strongly recommended. Dioceses were asked to synthesize the fruits of their reflections into a synthesis of no more than two pages. 

Responses were only received from Latin-rite dioceses, with 66 per cent of dioceses responding. The Latin Church in Canada is divided into four pastoral regions. Of the responses received, 29 per cent were from Western Canada, 16 per cent from Ontario, 37 per cent from Quebec and 18 per cent from Atlantic Canada. 

A large number of responses did not, strictly speaking, follow the directions from Towards October 2024, or the shorter directives provided by the CCCB. This suggests the instructions from the Synod Office and/or the CCCB may not have been sufficiently clear. In many cases, there was confusion about the difference between this stage (i.e., focused reflection on specific themes from the 2023 Synthesis Report) and previous stages (“listening sessions”). 

Although many dioceses employed, and greatly appreciated, the method of conversation in the Spirit, a significant number did not use it, which often resulted in less-focused reflections. 

In some cases, dioceses did not carry out reflection sessions but simply submitted reports on related synodal initiatives. In other cases, the syntheses did not name themes from the Synthesis Report, making it more complicated to assess them. In several cases, the diocesan syntheses are better categorized as a list of “best practices”; these will be submitted to the Synod Secretariat under that category. 

The top priority was The Church is Mission. This is not surprising since it corresponds to the overarching question: “How can we be a synodal Church in mission?” This was true for every region of Canada. Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops: Synthesis of Diocesan Reflections May 2024 

It is notable that while dioceses were encouraged to focus on sections 8-12, 16, 18, there was virtually no mention of sections 10-12 (which deal with consecrated life and the clergy). The reasons for this are not clear, but may be of concern. Perhaps the synodal gathering of priests in Rome will remedy this situation somewhat. 

It is also interesting that the third most common theme (section 5) was not one of those recommended by the document Towards October 2024 (nor was it recommended by the CCCB). This indicates the great importance Canadian dioceses give to the question of building community within the Church, especially as concerns those of different ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups.

The Church is Mission – Section 8 

This theme was clearly the most important to Canadian dioceses, being identified about twice as often as any other theme. There was clear convergence on the need for every baptized person (lay, consecrated, ordained) to bear witness in word and deed to the Good News and to participate in the Church’s evangelizing mission… This requires going out of our own ecclesial spaces, both individually and communally…to meet people where they are, listening attentively to their joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties. 

This mission will benefit from the personal sharing of one’s own faith story or testimony. It should be anchored in the Word of God, Sacred Tradition and the Church’s teaching… It will rely on the recognition of the action of the Holy Spirit in each baptized person, and on fostering unique charisms. It was repeatedly noted that (it) will require formation at all age-levels and for all Catholics, since many Catholics do not see themselves as missionaries and may not be aware of the vocation and spiritual gifts they received in Baptism.

May 2024