Implementation Stage
At the close of the Second Assembly of the Synod on Synodality in 2024, bishops’ conferences worldwide were tasked with implementing synodality in their local churches. In Australia, the bishops began implementing synodality in their dioceses, with many holding diocesan synods and assemblies. The Interim Coordinating Group for the Synod was tasked with collating and reporting on synodal activities nationwide.
A collection of the synodal activities across Australia, together with other relevant resources, can be accessed through the ACBC webpage: https://bit.ly/SynodalityAustNextSteps
Interim Coordinating Group for the Synod
The previous Synod Working Group, which had overseen the consultation process for the Synod within Australia, was asked to take on a new role to assist with the implementation of the synodality in Australia. Membership of the former Group was expanded to include a representative from the Eastern Churches and two bishops, thereby providing a direct connection with the Permanent Committee of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). Reflecting the evolving focus of this work, the Group was renamed the Interim Coordinating Group for the Synod, recognising both its changed role and its transitional nature as synod implementation in Australia continues to develop.
As of the beginning of 2026, the members of the Group are:
- Dr Trudy Dantis (Chair)
- Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB
- Bishop Greg Bennet
- Fr Chris De Souza
- Mr Paul Osborne
- Em Prof Gabrielle McMullen AM
- Mrs Sophy Morley
- Mr Daniel Ang
- Dr Stephen Reid
- Ms Leith Dudfield (Secretary)
Former Members:
- Mr Gavin Abraham (Sept 2021 to Dec 2023)
- Fr Stephen Hackett (Sept 2021 to Jul 2023)
- Lana Turvey-Collins (Sept 2021)
HISTORICAL EVENTS
The XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
In March 2020, Pope Francis announced that the theme for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023 would be “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”. The journey towards the celebration of the Synod opened in October 2021 in dioceses around the world. Pope Francis invited the entire Church to reflect on this theme that is decisive for its life and mission. Further information about the journey to the Synod can be found at the webpage below:
https://www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch
Stages, Australian Consultation and Reports
The NCPR was invited by the Australian Bishops Conference to coordinate the consultation process for the Synod within Australia. The following reports were prepared by the NCPR based on the responses received at each stage of the consultation. The reports can be viewed and are available for download at the links below:
Stage 1 – Local Consultation
In May 2022, Australian dioceses published local reports on their consultation process. Based on those reports, and using content for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia relevant to the Synod, the National Centre for Pastoral Research prepared the Australian synthesis.
Report details: August 2022. Trudy Dantis, Stephen Reid & Leith Dudfield. Synod of Bishops: Australian Synthesis. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Stage 2 – Continental Consultation
In October 2022, the Holy See released the Working Document for the Continental Stage. Each Continental region in the world was invited to engage with the document.
The NCPR coordinated the Australian consultation and prepared the Australian Synthesis Report for the Continental Stage.
Report details: December 2022. Trudy Dantis, Stephen Reid & Leith Dudfield. Synod of Bishops: Australian Synthesis, Continental Stage. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
The Australian response, together with those from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and the the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC) formed the basis of the Oceania response which was published in April 2023.
Stage 3 – Universal Consultation
Based on the responses from each of the Continental Regions, the Holy See released the Instrumentum Laboris for the first assembly of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Also, for the first time, priests, deacons, religious men and women, and lay people – both men and women – were invited to be participants in the Synod.
The First Assembly
The first assembly of the Synod took place from 4-29 October 2023, and Dr Trudy Dantis, from the NCPR, was invited to participate in the assembly. Based on the discussions of those at the assembly, first, a Letter to the People of God was published, followed by the Synthesis Report.
2024 Consultation
In anticipation of the second assembly of the Synod in October 2024, bishops’ conferences were tasked with consulting with their dioceses and other national groups on the content of the Synthesis Report (see press release and guidelines). The NCPR developed several resources to assist diocesan groups and other national groups in undertaking the consultation.
Based on the responses from the 2024 consultation, the NCPR developed the Australian Summary, which was submitted to the Holy See in May 2024.
Report details: May 2024. Trudy Dantis, Stephen Reid & Leith Dudfield. Synod of Bishops: Australian Summary, 2024 Consultation. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Accompanying the Australian Summary was a compilation of Australian Diocesan Testimonies.
Report details: May 2024. National Centre for Pastoral Research. Synod of Bishops: Australian Diocesan Testimonies, 2024 Consultation. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Further information about the Synod process and related media reports are available at: https://catholic.org.au/synodalchurch
The Second Assembly
The second assembly of the Synod took place from 2-27 October 2024, in which Dr Trudy Dantis participated again. On 26 October 2024, the assembly members approved the Final Document, later approved by Pope Francis for publication. The Final Document includes the ‘Accompanying note by the Holy Father Francis’.