Local Phase of the Synod of Bishops 2021-2022

The first phase of preparation leading up to the 2023 Synod of Bishops, on the theme of communion, participation, and mission, is a period of listening and discernment in local Churches. This phase takes place from October 2021 to April 2022.

The purpose of the first phase of the synodal journey is to foster a broad consultation process in order to gather the wealth of the experiences of lived synodality, in its different articulations and facets, involving the Pastors and the Faithful of the particular Churches at all the different levels, through the most appropriate means according to the specific local realities. (Preparatory Document, 31).

The fundamental question guiding this consultation is as follows:

What steps does the Holy Spirit invite us to take as a local Church in order to make our preaching of the gospel more effective?

Those who wish to participate in this consultation are invited to share their thoughts about this question in two categories:

1. Where and how is the gospel being lived and preached effectively in the Diocese of Madison? And what can be done to foster and promote that?
2. Where and how is the gospel not being lived and preached effectively in the Diocese of Madison? And what can be done to improve that?

I. The Journeying Companions

In our local Church, who are our road companions within the Church and outside the Church?
What persons or groups are neglected or marginalized?

II. Listening

How do we listen to the voice of the laity, consecrated and religious, minorities, the discarded, and the excluded?
To whom do we need to listen more attentively?

III. Speaking Out

How do we promote a free and authentic style of communication within the Church and in relation to society?
Are there members of the Church who are afraid to speak up about what they experience?

IV. Celebrating

How do we help all the faithful to enter more deeply into an actual interior participation in the liturgy?

V. Co-Responsible in the Mission

Since we are all missionary disciples, how is each Baptized person called to be a protagonist in the Church’s fundamental mission of converting individuals and societies to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ?

VI. Dialogue with Society

What experiences of dialogue and shared commitment do we have with believers of other religions and with non-believers? How are divergences of vision, conflicts, and difficulties addressed?

VII. Dialogue with Other Christian Denominations

What relations do we have with the brothers and sisters of other Christian denominations?
What are the fruits and the difficulties born of these relations?

VIII. Authority and Participation

How is authority exercised within our particular Church?
How do synodal bodies function at the level of the particular Church?
Are they a fruitful experience?

IX. Discerning and Deciding

By what procedures and methods do we discern together and make decisions?
How and with what tools do we promote transparency and accountability?

X. Forming Ourselves in Synodality

How do we form people, especially those who hold roles of responsibility within the Christian community, to make them more capable of “journeying together,” listening to one another and engaging in dialogue?