Archbishop sees new Synod pathway for local churches

Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM says a new Vatican document published last weekend will help ensure the outcomes of the Synod on Synodality can be embedded in the local churches.

Archbishop Martin was one of three New Zealand representatives to participate in the two sessions of the Synod on Synodality, held in October 2022 and October 2023. They were key moments during a years-long process that included Catholics around the world.

The new process announced on Saturday (Rome time) is “a process of accompaniment and evaluation of the implementation phase by the General Secretariat of the Synod”, said Cardinal Mario Grech, the Synod’s general secretary.

Cardinal Grech, who detailed the plans in a letter to the world’s bishops and through them to the People of God, said although this new period of accompaniment will culminate in an ecclesial assembly in Rome in 2028, that will not be a new Synod.

“Instead, the focus will be on consolidating the path taken so far,” he said.

Archbishop Martin said this allows the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality to take on a new energy.

“The work of carrying forward the Synod’s outcomes was always seen as the work of the local churches, and we are considering how that can be done in Aotearoa New Zealand,” he said.

“We are called to ensure that the large numbers of people who felt called to participate in the various stages of listening and dialogue are invited to remain connected to this journey.”

Cardinal Grech said that local churches would receive and apply the Synod’s final document, which was directly approved by Pope Francis. 

The Vatican will publish a supporting document in May this year to provide guidance for the Synod’s implementation. From June 2025 until December 2026, there will be a period for local implementation paths, followed by diocesan and then national initiatives in 2027.

“And in early 2028, we will host continental assemblies, allowing us to replicate the same local-national-continental rhythm from the Synod preparations, supporting the Church’s global process,” Archbishop Martin said.

“Cardinal Grech described this is a ‘process aimed at fostering dialogue among Churches about the insights developed in the implementation phase’.

“Just as the Church in New Zealand wished to be heavily involved in the work of preparing for the Synod on Synodality, I trust the People of God will be equally engaged in its implementation.”

Read more about the new guidance in this Vatican Media interview with Cardinal Grech.