Archbishop Martin offered a contribution at the synod, and said, “I would like to explore a little the creative tension between synodality and hierarchy in the communion of the Church.  In the Gospel passage (John chapter 15) about the vine and the branches, Jesus emphasises twelve times the importance of being in communion with Him: “Abide in me”; “remain in me”, He tells us, for just as a vine is attacked by disease or buffeted by storms and other threats, so also we in the Church need to draw life from Christ in order to face many tribulations from within and without.

“One of the challenges facing a Synodal Church is learning how to foster that deeper communion – in Christ – between the people of God, the bishops and the pope.

“Synodality should seek to affirm and enhance the teaching authority of the pope and the bishops, not diminish it.  This can happen if we walk together in communion: we bishops must always remember that whilst we are entrusted, in collegiality with the Holy Father, with the task of authoritatively interpreting the word of God, we are called to do in humble service of the mission of Christ, a mission we share in communion with all the baptised.”

Irish delegates

The speaking notes of the Irish delegates, delivered by Julieann Moran and Father Éamonn Fitzgibbon on behalf of the Irish delegation, emphasised the progress of the synodal pathway in Ireland.

Delegates said, “This Synod on Synodality places a renewed emphasis on the sensus fidei fidelium and as such, is a cause of great joy, encouragement, and hope for all who love the Church as the People of God. The Working Document resonates with a universal enthusiasm for the renewal of the Church, despite the diversity of challenges. This is surely the voice and work of the Holy Spirit.

“There is clearly a need to ‘enlarge the space of our tent.’ Can we truly be an evangelising Church if we do not heed Isaiah’s prophetic image to hear the voices of our brothers and sisters who have become disaffected and discouraged? The Irish delegates are aware of the trust that has been placed in them to carry the voices of those who have spoken in truth and in love.

“Across both political jurisdictions on the island of Ireland, the last number of decades have seen divisive conflict including suspicion and sectarianism within the Christian family, together with a radical demographic, economic, and social transformation. This new social reality, together with the painful legacy of clerical and institutional abuse and involvement of Church bodies in the harsh institutionalisation of women and children, have had a profound effect on the Church in Ireland.”

National Synthesis

Between October 2021 and May 2022, faith-based conversations and consultations took place across the island of Ireland and, on 29th May, dioceses and groups submitted a synthesis document to the Bishops’ Conference. These submissions were reviewed in a spirit of prayer and discernment over the weekend of Pentecost (June 2022) by members of a National Steering Committee and the emerging themes were presented to representatives of these dioceses and groups at an assembly in Athlone on 18th June.

Click here to download the document

Following the assembly, a further period of prayer and discernment began and the synthesis from the Catholic Church in Ireland was prepared for submission to the Synod office in Rome. The National Synthesis, Synthesis of the Consultation in Ireland for the Diocesan Stage of the Universal Synod 2021 – 2023, is now available in both English and Irish as a resource for further outreach, deeper reflection, and to gain greater insights. You can download the document by clicking on either image to the right.

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