Archbishop Eamon Martin, the President of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, has welcomed the publication of the Working Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) of the Synod, launched today during a press conference from the Holy See. The working document will provide a basis for reflection on the Synodal conversations so far, and a framework for the next stage of the synodal journey. This will involve a series of assemblies which will take place around the world between January and March 2023. The European Assembly is taking place in Prague between 5 and 12 February next. Archbishop Martin will join the Irish delegation of lay people, religious and clergy, attending the Assembly in Prague, comprising three in-person delegates and ten others who will join the Continental Synod online.
Speaking about today’s publication, Archbishop Martin said, “I encourage as many people as possible to read the working document, which is entitled, Enlarge the Space of Your Tent (Isaiah 54:2) https://synod.ie/working-document-for-the-continental-stage-of-the-synod/. It is good note that the contribution of Ireland’s National Synthesis to the universal synodal process has been expressly referenced in today’s document. Overall the document gives us a glimpse of what people from around the universal Church are thinking about their participation in the mission of the Church at the beginning of this third millennium.
“In the coming weeks, dioceses and groups across Ireland will be invited to consider the working document, alongside their original submissions to the Irish Bishops’ Conference from earlier this year. It will be interesting to identify those areas of commonality and diversity, as well as to discern more deeply what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church at this time.”
Bishops encourage everyone to receive the document as a stimulus for further conversation, not as a manifesto or a declaration, rather as a document at the service of the synodal journey.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- The working document, entitled Enlarge the Space of Your Tent (Isaiah 54:2) was based on the syntheses submitted by 112 Bishops’ Conferences, 15 Oriental Catholic Churches, plus reflections from 17 out of 23 dicasteries of the Roman Curia, from religious superiors, from institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, and from associations and lay movements of the faithful.
- The Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) of the Synod was launched by His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod, His Eminence Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, General Rapporteur of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (who connected via remote video), Professor Anna Rowlands, Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice, University of Durham, Father Giacomo Costa, SJ, Consultor of the General Secretariat of the Synod, and Rev Monsignor Piero Coda, Secretary General of the International Theological Commission.
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