Synod

Archbishop’s Foreward

“What the Holy Spirit is saying to our hearts.”

From October 2021 to June 2022, our local Church journeyed together in a “synodal process” of consultation and listening. This resulting synthesis Report expresses the movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of thousands of lay faithful, consecrated women and men, and clergy. It is their response to a limited number of questions that were drawn up to respond to the call of Pope Francis to become engaged in an initiative taking place throughout the Church. The Archdiocese launched a synodal process as our contribution to the Synod of Bishops that will be meeting in Rome in the Fall of 2023. 

Download the Synod Report of the Archdiocese of Vancouver

This Report must be read within its specific context. It documents responses to a select number of questions that were proposed, and discussed, primarily in hundreds of “conversation circles.” The more than 5,000 parishioners who participated represent a small, but significant segment of the Catholics in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. The Report is not, therefore:

• a “state of the Archdiocese” document,
• a presentation of the Church’s teaching, or
• a strategic plan

Instead, it provides a glimpse into the hopes and concerns of many of our brothers and sisters in Christ as they discerned their responses to the questions asked of them. It focuses more on challenges and less on our strengths than a more comprehensive synthesis would provide. 

This Report testifies to the benefits of prayerfully listening and sharing one’s heartfelt concerns about how the Church is living its mission. I am very grateful to all who gave their time and provided their input into this synodal process that is now unfolding in the life of the Church. If it is successful, it will help the People of God to discern prayerfully the signs of the times in the light of our faith so that we can grow in our personal relationship to Jesus Christ and fruitfully serve the mission he has entrusted to us.

The Archdiocese looks forward to continuing the conversation, not just with those who participated in the process, but with all the faithful in our local Church.

+ J. Michael Miller, CSB
Archbishop of Vancouver

What is a Synod?

Pope Francis has launched a Synod in Rome with the theme “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, mission.” This Synod is an opportunity for Catholics to dialogue and discern how the Holy Spirit is inviting us to journey together as a Church. 

This Synod has implications not only on the universal Church but also on the local Church. Many of the recommendations from the faithful in previous Synods have been implemented in our local diocese.

Synod participation

More than 80 per cent of parishes participated in the Synod, and more than 5,000 people took part, including parishioners from 64 parishes, individuals from 46 movements, groups, organizations, and associations, as well as 206 individuals through online submissions. Many gathered in small groups to share, listen, pray, and reflect together. We heard from not only practising faithful but also, as encouraged by Pope Francis, those on the periphery and the marginalized.

Questions from the Conversation Circles

Journeying together

The following questions were asked of the faithful:

1. What helps or prevents you from being active in the Church’s mission? 
2. What areas of the Church’s mission are we missing or neglecting? 
3. What particular issues in the Church do we need to pay more attention to? 
4. What particular issues in society do we need to pay more attention to? 
5. How can we, the local Church, journey with our Indigenous sisters and brothers in a process of healing and reconciliation? 
6. From this time of listening, could you sum up in one or two sentences how the Spirit is calling us to grow in “journeying together”? 

Synthesis of the responses

How is the Holy Spirit inviting us to journey together as a Church? We asked the faithful what they need for the Church to do better. What follows is a summary of the conclusions. See the full report here:

Download the Synod Report of the Archdiocese of Vancouver

Summary of document conclusions

It is now up to the parishes, movements and all Catholic associations and groups, with the help of the John Paul II Pastoral Centre, to formulate action plans to follow through on the following conclusions that emerged from the Conversation Circles.

1. The synodal process should serve as a model for future engagement of the faithful.  
2. Participants expressed hope that the Church would become more welcoming and inclusive, with parishes, movements and groups following through on ideas from the synodal process.  
3. Catholics are called to follow the early Church and journey together, respecting our differences. 
4. We are called to listen in humility to all the faithful as we carry out the Church’s mission together. 
5. We are challenged to model the life of Christ by embracing differences, loving radically, and honouring and supporting each human being at every stage of life. 
6. We recognize that the clergy need care, assistance, and support. 
7. The Archdiocese should create spaces where marginalized persons feel comfortable. 

Next steps in the Archdiocese

The Archdiocese continues its ongoing outreach to parishes in their local suburbs and setting up meetings. We are also visiting parishes upon request to present Spiritual Conversations and ongoing education about the Synodal process. 

Next steps in the Synodal Journey

The next stage of the synod process is the Continental Phase, during which the Canadian bishops will submit their report to Rome in preparation for the full synod of bishops in October 2023. 

Phase 1: Diocesan Phase [COMPLETE]
Oct. 2021 to Aug. 2022

Phase 2: Continental Phase [COMPLETE] 
CCCB and USCCB Report Submission to Rome
Sept. 2022 to March 2023

Phase 3: Assembly of Bishops to Rome
Oct. 2023

Resources

Learn more about the Synod: