What is the Synod on Synodality?

Anyone who has been following Catholic news within the U.S. or globally has probably gotten used to hearing updates about synods. Thanks to the leadership of Pope Francis, terms like “synod” and “synodality” have entered the ordinary vernacular of Catholics. At the time of this recording, the three-year-long Synod on Synodality, running from 2021 to 2024, is still ongoing, but many Catholics may still be uncertain about the purpose of this event, or what a synod even is. Today’s guest on the first episode of season three of the Glad You Asked podcast, can help clarify what the Synod on Synodality is all about, and how to understand Pope Francis’ vision for a synodal church within the context of existing tradition, going back to the earliest days of Christianity.  Amanda Osheim is Endowed Professor of the Breitbach Catholic Thinkers and Leaders Program and Professor of Practical Theology at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Her publications include A Ministry of Discernment: The Bishop and the Sense of the Faithful and Stepping Towards a Synodal Church. Her research interests include the Holy Spirit, the church, and ministry.  You can read more about this topic in these links: “Can you hear us? A look at the ongoing synod” by Don Clemmer. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202209/can-you-hear-us-a-look-at-the-ongoing-synod/ “For the synod to succeed, the church must listen to all of us” by Milton Javier Bravo. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202203/for-the-synod-to-succeed-the-church-must-listen-to-all-of-us/ “What Is a Synod in the Catholic Church? And Why Does This One Matter?” by Jason Horowitz and Elisabetta Povoledo https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/europe/what-is-a-synod-pope-church.html “Are you ready for a synod of possibility?” by Patrick Saint-Jean. https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/are-you-ready-synod-possibility “On our pilgrim way,” by Amanda Osheim.  https://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/our-pilgrim-way Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries. https://www.claretiansusa.org/