A Synod on Synodality, Part 3: North American Issues

Inputs gathered by dioceses in the United States and Canada were combined into one “North American Continental Report” which was sent to the committee preparing the agenda for the October 2023 gathering of the Synod in Rome. It was one of eight such continental reports sent from around the world. Mexico joined with the rest of Central and South America to produce their own report on behalf of Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The North American continental report was developed through twelve virtual assemblies, convening in early 2023 all across the United States and Canada. There were 931 delegates to these assemblies, including 626 lay people and 305 priests and religious people. In total, women slightly outnumbered men. The reports from these assemblies were sent to the North American Synod Team, who would go on to write the final continental report.

The body of the report included five North American priorities for the agenda committee to consider for the October synod at the Vatican. The following is the executive summary of those five priorities from the report itself: 

1. “Integration of synodal consultation in the local Churches. This would include formation both in synodality and in the spirituality of discernment. Although the synodal way was experienced with such joy by those who participated, we acknowledge that it is just the beginning. Much work remains to be done to integrate the synodal style of consultation on the level of the local Churches, as well as at the national and continental levels, to increase participation.
2. “The challenge of welcoming those who feel excluded from participation in the life of the Church in a manner that is authentic and faithful to the Gospel and the Catholic faith. Our people perceive that welcoming and serving the wounded and isolated in the world and in the Church is an essential aspect of the mission given to us by the Lord.
3. “Co-responsibility. A plea for renewed consideration for the mission of all the baptized, with specific attention given to particular vocations, was frequently mentioned. The discernment of how baptismal co-responsibility for the Church’s mission should be appreciated and achieved demand a better understanding of the roles of the laity in general, and of women and young people in particular.
4. “Addressing the unity and communion of the Church in the midst of various kinds of polarization and division. Discernment is needed to promote the ecclesiology of communion, rooted in baptism and nourished by the Eucharist. These must be seen as primary sources of our identity and unity as the People of God, and prior to any racial, ethnic, social, economic, political or ideological differences.
5. “A Church that goes out to the peripheries. Our people speak often of having heard the call of Pope Francis to go out credibly to the margins. On our continent there is always a danger of forgetfulness of, and indifference to, those who are poor and marginalized. Our people are asking for more robust formation in this kind of missionary activity. It is vital that the local Churches hear the call to assist the needs of the poor and marginalized.”

Next time: The agenda of the October Synod meeting and how the issues to be discussed are stated in the Working Document.

Read more from our series about the Synod on Synodality:
Part 1: A Synod on Synodality
Part 2: Gathering Input
Part 4: October Agenda
Part 5: Questions and Expectations
Part 6: Session 1 Final Report
SJ23 Parishioner's Reflection from Rome