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Synod on Synodality

Pope Francis led the opening procession of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region from St. Peter's Basilica to the Synod Hall where he led the opening prayer, Oct. 7, 2019. | Credit: Vatican Media

Synod on Synodality: Read the Final List of Delegates

Sep 22, 2023

The Vatican has published the final list of names of those participating in the upcoming Synod on Synodality assembly in October, including laypeople.

Pope Francis addressed pilgrims and tourists at his first outdoor general audience after the summer on Sept. 6, 2023. | Vatican Media

Synod 2023: What has Pope Francis Said about Synodality?

Sep 18, 2023

Synodality isn’t “a chapter in an ecclesiology textbook” or a “fad or a slogan to be bandied about in our meetings,” the pope has emphasized.

Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Angola’s Lubango Archdiocese. Credit: CEAST

Confirmation Candidates at Angolan Catholic Parish Urged to Witness Christian Values

Sep 16, 2023

Recipients of the Sacrament of Confirmation are expected to champion the Christian values of love, forgiveness, peace and justice in their respective communities, Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Angola’s Lubango Archdiocese has said. 

Members of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) at their Monastery in Kenya's Kisii Diocese together with Caroline Kavita and Ndanu Mung'ala, who facilitated a two-day workshop on the Synod on Synodality - August 2-3.  Credit: African Synodality Initiative (ASI)

“A blessed opportunity”: Facilitators on Synodal Encounter with Nuns at Kenyan Monastery

Aug 29, 2023

Facilitators of a formation workshop on the Synod on Synodality with members the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) at a Kenyan Monastery have lauded the encounter with the Cloistered contemplative Nuns as “a blessed opportunity” in promoting the synodal process among “people in ministry”. 

Pope Francis speaks at the general audience on Aug. 23, 2023. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Synod "truly important" Despite Being "of little interest to general public"

Aug 26, 2023

Pope Francis acknowledged Saturday that the upcoming Synod on Synodality may be “of little interest to the general public,” but underlined that the synod is “truly important” for the Catholic Church.

Fr. Vitalis Chinedu Anaehobi. Credit: ACI Africa

RECOWA Official Faults “embargos” on Niger, Decries Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation

Aug 22, 2023

The Secretary General for the Reunion of Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (RECOWA) has condemned the financial and trade restrictions imposed on Niger by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in response to the country’s July 26 military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from power, noting that the restrictions have plunged the population into deep suffering.

Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo (right) of Korhogo Archdiocese in Ivory Coast; Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu (left) of Zimbambwe’s Harare Archdiocese; and Bishop Lucio Andrice Muandula (center) of Xai-Xai Diocese in Mozambique. Credit: Vatican Media, ACI Africa,

Synod on Synodality: The Three Papal Nominees from Africa

Aug 19, 2023

From the full list of some 364 participants in the October 4-29 Synod on Synodality in Rome, 67 of them are from Africa. Pope Francis directly named 120 delegates, three of them from Africa.  

Sheila Pires, Secretary of the Synod on Synodality Commission for Information (on the right) makes a presentation at the delegates meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.  Credit: ACI Africa

Mozambican Journalist Appointed to Synod Commission Gearing up for Rome

Aug 19, 2023

Away from the excitement, joy and a bit of anxiety that Sheila Pires felt when Pope Francis appointed her as Secretary of the Synod on Synodality Commission for Information, the veteran Mozambican journalist is all set for the big role that awaits her at the October 4-29 meeting of Bishops in Rome.

Delegates representing Africa in the October Synod on Synodality during their preparatory seminar in Nairobi, Kenya. Credit: ACI Africa

African Pre-Synodal Seminar Lauded as “opportunity to set priorities” ahead of Rome Synod

Aug 18, 2023

Delegates representing Africa in the October Synod on Synodality assembly in Rome have concluded their preparatory seminar in Nairobi Kenya, describing it as timely, and an opportunity to focus on what they will be presenting at the assembly.

Nuns sing and pray during a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis near the Catholic martyrs' shrine of Namugongo, Kampala, Uganda, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. (photo: Andrew Medichini / AP)

The Catholic Church in Africa is a Blessing

Aug 14, 2023

When participants gather in Rome at this fall’s Synod on Synodality to reflect how the global Catholic Church can better communicate the saving love of Jesus for all humanity, a vast continental contrast in opinions will be on prominent display. And the tension can be summed up by two opposing questions.

Official logo of the Synod on Synodality. Credit: Vatican Media

SECAM Seminar to Prepare Delegates from Africa for October Synod in Rome

Aug 11, 2023

For three days starting August 15, participants from Africa who will take part in the upcoming Synod on Synodality assembly in October will be meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, to gain “a deep knowledge and clear understanding” of the details of the Synod.

Delegates during the March 1-6 SECAM Plenary Assembly in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa. Credit: ACI Africa

Catholic Bishops in Africa to Focus on “practical experience of Synodality” on SECAM Day

Jul 27, 2023

Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) are expected to deliberate on the “practical experience” of the Synod on Synodality on the occasion of the annual SECAM Day.

Top From Left to Right - Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya, Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, Bottom From Left to Right - Berhaneyesus Demerew Cardinal Souraphie, Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga, Bishop Lucio Andrice Muandula |

Synod on Synodality: Delegates Representing Africa

Jul 9, 2023

From the full list of some 364 participants in the October 4-29 Synod on Synodality in Rome, who include Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, women and men Religious, and Laity, 67 of them are from Africa.

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Synod on Synodality: Vatican Publishes Full List of Participants

Jul 7, 2023

The Vatican published Friday the full list of participants who will take part in the upcoming Synod on Synodality assembly in October.

Cardinal Robert Sarah offers Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for his 50th anniversary of priesthood in 2019. | Credit: Evandro Inetti/CNA.

No Synod Can Invent a "female priesthood": Vatican-based Guinean Cardinal

Jul 5, 2023

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, stressed that "the priesthood is unique" and warned that "no council, no synod" can "invent a female priesthood."

Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Angola’s Lubango Archdiocese. Credit: CEAST

Theme of Synod on Synodality Path for Community Growth: Catholic Archbishop in Angola

Jul 1, 2023

Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Angola’s Lubango Archdiocese has underscored the value of the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality and called for the embracing of its theme, which he said provides a path for the growth of the people of God.

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich (right), relator general of Synod on Synodality, speaks to the media on June 20, 2023, at the temporary headquarters of the Holy See Press Office in Vatican City. Beside him is Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General for the Synod of Bishops. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Synod on Synodality Leaders:Full List of Delegates for October Assembly still Under review

Jun 21, 2023

Organizers of the Synod on Synodality on Tuesday announced a change of venue for the upcoming synodal assembly of bishops and other delegates being held in October but said that the full list of those participating in the monthlong event is still being prepared.

Official logo of the Synod on Synodality. Credit: Vatican Media

Having “clear understanding” of Synod Working Document among Aims of Planned SECAM Seminar

Jun 20, 2023

Having “a deep knowledge and clear understanding” of Instrumentum Laboris, the working document for the XVI Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops popularly known as the Synod on Synodality, is one of the aims of a planned seminar targeting African delegates.

The Synod of Bishop at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2018. | Vatican Media.

Vatican's Latest Document on Synod on Synodality: Here is What You Need to Know

Jun 20, 2023

The Vatican released a new document on June 20 outlining key questions for the upcoming 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, more commonly known as the Synod on Synodality. 

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Synod on Synodality Document Outlines Discussion Questions for October Assembly

Jun 20, 2023

In advance of a pivotal October assembly on synodality, a new Vatican document released Tuesday outlines key questions for what now promises to be a wide-ranging discussion on Pope Francis’ vision of a more inclusive, decentralized, and “listening” Church.