As preparations continue for the National Synodal Assembly October 17th the seven Working Groups have been busy. All submitted their Reports in June, but the work, the meetings, prayer and discernment continue.
Included in the Newsletter are two short videos.
You can read the full Newsletter here….
Preparing Together for October
“When we learn to listen to one another, to share responsibilities, and to recognize the action of the Spirit in the various Churches, we are not merely improving the way we work: we are becoming a Church that is better able to engage with the men and women of our time and to bear witness to them of the joy of the Gospel.”
— Pope Leo XIV, Extraordinary Consistory, 26 June 2026
Welcome to the latest update from the Irish Synodal Pathway.
It has been some time since my last newsletter, and I want to begin by thanking you for your patience. While our communications have been quieter in recent weeks, the work of the Irish Synodal Pathway has continued with great commitment and generosity. Across the country, people have been giving freely of their time, experience, expertise and prayer to help shape the next stage of our shared synodal journey.
The Working Groups
In an earlier newsletter, I introduced the seven Working Groups established to take forward the priority areas discerned by the People of God across Ireland:
• Belonging
• Co-responsibility and Lay Ministry
• Faith Formation and Catechesis
• Family
• Healing
• Women
• Young People
Over the past number of months, each Working Group has met regularly for prayer, listening, dialogue, research and discernment. Their task was to develop practical and actionable proposals grounded in what was heard through the synodal process and mindful of what is possible at parish, diocesan and national level.
I am delighted to report that all seven Working Groups submitted their proposals in June. This marks a significant milestone in the Irish Synodal Pathway and I wish to express my sincere gratitude to every member of the Working Groups who gave so generously of their time, wisdom and experience. Their commitment has been remarkable, and the spirit of prayerful discernment and collaboration that characterised their work is itself a fruit of the synodal process.
The Next Phase of the Journey
Following receipt of all of the proposals, members of the National Synodal Team, the Bishops of the Irish Episcopal Conference and the convenors of each Working Group gathered online over two meetings to reflect together on what had emerged.
As might be expected, a number of Working Groups arrived at similar insights or addressed related themes from different perspectives. This is not a difficulty, but rather a sign of the coherence and interconnectedness of what has emerged through the wider synodal process.
The National Synodal Team is now preparing a Working Document that will present the proposals in a way that is clear, accessible and prayerfully coherent for delegates to the National Synodal Assembly. Its purpose is not simply to present a catalogue of individual proposals, but to invite delegates to discern pathways for the renewal of the Church in Ireland that have emerged from the synodal process.
The current task is therefore not to replace or re-open the discernment of the Working Groups. Where proposals naturally overlap or address related areas, Working Groups will be invited back into conversation to consider how these might best be presented together. This will be done in a spirit of collaboration and with respect for the discernment that has taken place within each group. The aim is to help the Assembly engage prayerfully and meaningfully with the fruits of the Working Groups’ work.
It is hoped that the Working Document will be published towards the end of August or in early September.
Preparing for the National Synodal Assembly
The National Synodal Assembly, which will take place on 17 October at CityNorth Hotel, will be much more than a single day’s gathering.
Given the breadth and richness of the proposals, delegates will receive the Working Document well in advance of the Assembly. They will be invited to meet with fellow delegates from their diocese, movement, association or representative body to read, pray with and discern the proposals together before arriving at the Assembly.
The Assembly itself is therefore intended to be the culmination of a process of prayerful preparation and communal discernment, enabling delegates to participate fully with the proposals and recommendations that arise.
Preparations for the Assembly are also progressing in other ways. All dioceses have now been invited to submit the names of their delegates, and invitations to ecclesial movements and associations will issue shortly.
A Word of Thanks
Much of the work of the Irish Synodal Pathway happens quietly behind the scenes. I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary generosity of the members of the National Synodal Team, most of whom serve in a voluntary capacity alongside their own ministries, professions and family responsibilities.
The preparation of the Working Document, the coordination of the Working Groups, planning for the Assembly and the many other aspects of this process would simply not be possible without their dedication, generosity and faith-filled commitment. I am deeply grateful to each one of them.
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the seven Working Groups who, over recent months, have given so generously of their time, experience, prayer and discernment. Drawn from across the Church in Ireland, they embraced the responsibility entrusted to them with great care and commitment. Their willingness to listen deeply, to engage honestly and to seek together what the Spirit may be asking of the Church has been a significant gift to the Irish Synodal Pathway.
The synodal journey continually reminds us that the Church moves forward not through the efforts of one individual, but through the gifts of many.
New Video Content
As preparations continue for October, I am pleased to share two new videos from our website.
Looking Ahead to the National Synodal Assembly
Fr Declan Hurley, Chairperson of the National Synodal Team, and Patricia Carroll, member of the National Synodal Team and Pastoral Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Dublin, recently spoke with Wendy Grace of TheWay.ie about the progress of the Irish Synodal Pathway. In this conversation, they reflect on the work of the Working Groups, explain what has been happening behind the scenes, and outline the purpose and significance of the National Synodal Assembly in October. You can watch the interview here.
The History of Synods in Ireland
In a second conversation with Wendy Grace, Fr Declan Hurley explores the rich history of synods in the Irish Church.
Tracing their development over the centuries, he reflects on how synodal gatherings have shaped the life and mission of the Church in Ireland and explains why listening, dialogue, discernment and shared responsibility remain at the heart of the Church’s life today.
The presentation offers valuable context for understanding both the Irish Synodal Pathway and the forthcoming National Synodal Assembly. You can watch the presentation here.
The work of the Universal Synod on Synodality continues.
Following the Synodal Assembly in Rome, Pope Francis established ten Study Groups to undertake further theological, pastoral and canonical reflection on matters identified during the Synod. Pope Leo has since expanded this work by establishing additional groups.
Over recent months, seven Study Groups have now published their reports, covering topics including:
• Mission in the digital environment;
• Priestly formation;
• The participation and leadership of women in the life of the Church;
• The selection and ministry of bishops;
• Shared theological discernment on emerging pastoral and ethical questions;
• Pastoral challenges relating to polygamy in Africa; and
• The Church’s response to the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth.
Eight further reports are expected in the months ahead, including studies on relations with the Eastern Catholic Churches, Apostolic Nuncios, liturgy in a synodal perspective, ecumenical dialogue, episcopal conferences, and ongoing work within the Canon Law Commissions.
Links to all of the reports published to date are available here: final reports from study groups I encourage anyone interested in the future development of synodality within the universal Church to take some time to explore these important documents.
Please Continue to Pray
As we move steadily towards the National Synodal Assembly on 17 October, I ask for your continued prayers. Please pray for the members of the National Synodal Team, for all those preparing the Working Document, for all delegates who will soon begin their own process of prayer and discernment, and for the bishops of Ireland. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us as, together, we seek to discern what God is asking of the Church in Ireland at this time.
Further Information
Further information is available at http://www.synod.ie.
