VATICAN: Synod Secretariat Expresses Confidence in Pope Leo 14th Guidance on Synodal Journey
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
As the Church enters a new chapter under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, the General Secretariat of the Synod on Synodality has expressed a message of deep hope and commitment.
In a letter co-signed by the officials of the General Secretariat of the Synod on Synodality, they have embraced the Pope’s vision for a listening, inclusive, and missionary Church, and reaffirmed their dedication to supporting the Pope’s guidance in fostering a synodal path rooted in communion, participation, and mission.
“Now that the journey continues under Your Holiness’s guidance, we look with confidence to the directions You will indicate, to help the Church grow as a community attentive to listening, close to each person, capable of authentic and welcoming relationships, a home and family of God open to all: a missionary synodal Church,” reads part of the letter address to the Holy Father ads they continue, “The General Secretariat of the Synod remains fully available to offer its service in a spirit of collaboration and obedience.”
On behalf of the General Secretariat of the Synod, the officials who signed the letter dated Monday, May 12, His Eminence Mario Cardinal Greg, the Secretary General, His Eminence Monsignor Luis Marín de San Martín, the Undersecretary, and Sr. Nathalie Becquart, Undersecretary also shared their profound gratitude for the election of Pope Leo XIV as the Shepherd of the Catholic Church saying, “To You, who also preside over this Secretariat, we express from this moment our joy at walking together, supporting Your service to the communion among all the Churches.”
Cognizant of the synodal process, which commenced in 2021 with the phase of listening to the People of God, “the synodal process has now completed the phase of discernment by the Pastors with the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and with the approval of the Final Document by Pope Francis,” the officials disclosed.
They disclosed further that the information in the Final Document “can now be implemented in the local Churches and groupings of Churches, taking into account different contexts, what has already been done, and what remains to be done so that the style proper to the missionary synodal Church can be ever-better learned and developed.” Similarly, the ten study groups are working to submit proposals to the Pontiff with a view to making decisions that involve the entire Church.
The Synod on Synodality that was convened by Pope Francis is an ecclesial journey led by the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Risen Lord, who helps us grow as a missionary Church, constantly undergoing conversion through attentive listening to the Gospel.
It involves the entire People of God in a shared process, where each person contributes to discerning the steps to take, according to the charisms, vocations, and ministries received.
