Slovakia is entering the synodal process, the diocesan phase will last until April
The diocesan phase of a two-year synodal process aimed at involving all baptized members of the Church in the fulfillment of its mission is beginning. The Synod on “Beyond the Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission” will continue at the level of local churches until April 2022, will advance on the continental level and will close with a meeting of bishops in October 2023 in Rome.
In Slovakia, the diocesan phase begins on Sunday, October 17. As stated by the President of the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia Mons. Stanislav Zvolenský, “We have the following weeks and a few months to learn what it means to walk together, to pray together, to think together, to ask questions, to listen, to dialogue within the Church, to open ourselves in prayer for the work of the Holy Spirit. This is a beautiful task that was opened by the visit of the Holy Father. “
In a joint letter of thanks sent to Pope Francis of the plenary session of the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia, which ended on Tuesday in Badin, the Slovak bishops write: “You have planted seeds in our land for the common walk of today’s world in the spirit of the gospel. We are happy to make an effort to bring crops to our world and to proclaim. “
On Web page synoda.sk the preparatory document of the synod with ten topics and the Vademekum handbook is available in Slovak. The novelty of the current synod is its focus on the very meaning of the Church’s synodality, as well as its phasing into three principles: it will start at the level of dioceses, continue within larger regions and culminate in 2023 with a meeting of bishops in Rome. The initial phase, which will last until April 2022, depends on the involvement of all believers at the levels of dioceses and eparchyes.
At the church-wide level, Pope Francis opened the synodal process on Sunday and Sunday at Holy Mass in the Basilica of St. Petra. Around three thousand believers were present at the ceremony, including in particular the Synod’s preparation team, representatives of local churches from different parts of the world and participants in the introductory reflection meeting, which took place the previous day in the Synodal Hall. Pope Francis wished everyone a successful start with these words:
“Dear brothers and sisters, I wish you a good journey together! May we be pilgrims in love with the gospel, open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit. Let us not miss gracious opportunities for meetings, for mutual listening, for discernment. With the joy of the consciousness which, in our search for the Lord, he himself first comes to meet us with his love. “
-jb-