Synods, and their importance for the life and mission of the Church, have been one of the most significant features of Pope Francis’ pontificate. The importance he attaches to them has been vividly in evidence in the three-year long “Synod on Synodality”, 2021-2024, focused on the theme “For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission”. The Synod’s final stage takes place this October, Wednesday 2 October to Sunday 27 October, and it will be preceded by two days of spiritual retreat for participants.

On Tuesday, 1 October, the Margaret Beaufort Institute will offer a Zoom session, 5:00pm to 7:00pm, to mark this important moment. It will take as its theme, “The Synod on Synodality, 2024: How did we get here? Where are we going?”

The session will be led by Dr Peter Coughlan and will consist of two parts. The first part offers a talk suggesting a background or framework within which to consider developments in synods since Vatican II. The second session will consist in general discussion: participants will be invited to offer their reflections on the Synod on Synodality and on their hopes and expectations for the future.