Introduction
In the summer of 2025, the Steering Group of ICRN discussed the progress of the synodal process across the different Continental Assembly areas of the universal Church. We agreed on the importance of identifying areas and programmes that were making a difference. We recognised that the prcess of synodal discussion and discernment might be different in different cultures but we set out to find examples that might demonstrate a capacity for modelling and emulation.
The Model
A short presentation [ some 20-25 minutes] with the opportunity for questions and answer session. Some background reading material could be provided. We would follow the same day and time pattern over successive weeks. The material would be made available to the rest of the ICRN and to other networks, including CCRI who helped to publicise the material.
Session 1 – Wednesday 12th November 2025
Adrian Rosario and Fr Joe Healy with Alloys Nyakundi spoke of the significance of the small Christian Communities that operated in parts of India and in Eastern Africa.They were examples of the synodal process at work
Speakers:
1] Adrian Rosario: – Archdiocese of Bombay - Small Christian Communities in Mumbai
2] Fr Joe Healey MM and Alloys Nyakundi – Training the Trainer Workshop for supporting Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa
Link to Video :
https://1drv.ms/v/c/205fec2e73cd824f/IQA6MKrPq6vXTKRMJVBx0cOLARmnlmAlYWQHX71f0OiRp84
Additional Reading
Session 2 – Wednesday 19th November 2025
From the UK came an example of an organisation that had developed a toolkit to support the synodal process at the level of the Parish Pastoral Council. Members from the Diocese of Augsburg had developed a set of cards -complete with quotes to support discussion of how we are called to be Church
Speakers:
1] Dr Avril Baigent – School for Synodality -England and Wales – A Toolkit to support Parish Pastoral Councils
2] Fr Max Stetter- Diocese of Augsburg- Synodal discussion and the use of synodal cards to support dialogue and discernment.
Resources
Synod Cards – To promote discussion
Advice of using the cards How to Use Synodal Cards.docx
The complete set of 32 cards : completecardset.zip
Video Link:
Celebrating and Sharing Good Practices in a Synodal Church - Final Draft - 1763925447936.mp4 [Updated 12/12/2025]
Additional Reading
https://www.schoolforsynodality.org.uk/pastoral-council-toolkit
Session 3 – Wednesday 26th November 2025
The modern synodal process could claim to have had its origins in the work of the bishops of Latin America [CELAM]. The gathering across the sub-continent was the model for Continental Assemblies in 2023. The Archduioicese of Brisbane has been at the forefron of the Australian Catholic Church in addressing the issues of implementation.
Speakers:
1] Rafael Luciani – CELAM and the Latin American experience of synodality
2] Stephanie Jorna – Archdiocese of Brisbane Synodal Plans
Link to Video:
1] Celebrating and Sharing Good Practice in a Synodal Church - Rafael Luciani - 1764248984899.mp4
2] SYNOD24 Towards Implementation.mp4
Additional Reading
https://teologicalatinoamericana.com/?p=3375-Website of the Bishops’ Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean
SYNOD24 Consultation Guide Parishes and Communities.pdf [ a Guide to the Synod in the Archdiocese of Brisbane]
Session 4 – Wednesday 3rd December 2025.
In the final session we explored how the synodal process works in the public forum where the process of Conversations in the Spirit was held to explore political differences in the run-up to the Presidential election in the USA. In the Philippines, the synodal process has allowed laity and clergy to collaborate in realising their vision of Church with a process of meticulous planning
Speakers :
1] Rene Reid and Robert Choiniere [ North America]
2] Jessica Joy Candelario [ Manila, Philippines – Bukal Ng Tipan]
Link to Video:
1] North America - Rene Reid and Robt Choiniere.mp4
2] Facilitators for Synodality- v2.mp4
Additional Reading
https://catholicchurchreformintl.org/your-vote-counts/
0. Synodality in Korea-WLM-Bibi-250925 2.pdf
This series of presentations was the result of collaboration between ICRN and Catholic Church Reform International with the support of We Are Church International and Spirit Unbounded.
It is a snapshot of good work being undertaken in some parts of the Universal Church.
The material can be shared, but cannot be edited or changed without the explicit permission of the author of each presentation.
Download: ICRN - Sharing Good Practice