What is a Synod of Bishops?
From the Greek word “to journey together,” a Synod of Bishops is a gathering of bishops called by the Holy Father to reflect and to offer counsel on important pastoral matters in the life of the Church.
Following the conclusion of the 2021-2024 Synod of Bishops in Rome on the subject of synodality, Pope Francis, then Pope Leo XIV, have called for an Implementation Phase, beginning at the diocesan level, to encourage continued growth in synodality. That is, local Churches are asked to identify concrete ways to embrace co-responsibility for the Church’s mission through continued consultation and discernment. The two-year diocesan synodal experience (2026-2027) will contribute to national and continental assemblies which will, in turn, inform the universal Ecclesial Assembly at the Vatican in October, 2028.
Our diocese already practices synodality robustly in many ways at the diocesan, deanery, and parish levels, and in other ecclesial institutions. Therefore, our Implementation Phase will largely focus on re-committing to collaborative consultations and discernment in those bodies. In addition, following recommendations from the Synod of Bishops, we will undertake “Ecclesial Assemblies” throughout our diocese–which will be similar to the “listening sessions” we had during the first phases of the Synod–with the purpose of discussing synodal best practices.
Explore this page to learn more about how the diocese is recommitting to synodal best practices, and what is to come with the efforts of the Implementation Phase. Read the latest coverage from the Arlington Catholic Herald and Bishop’s letter below.
Diocesan Practices of Synodality
- Strategic Planning
- From 2021-2023 the bishop and his staff consulted widely with the clergy and with lay faithful of different demographics to develop a Strategic Plan based on a consensus regarding pastoral priorities.
- Diocesan Finance Council
- As required by Canon Law (Can. 492), the bishop and his staff regularly consult this council, and have established three subsidiary bodies (Audit & Budget Committee, Savings & Loan Corporation Committee, and Investment Committee) of expert lay faithful with whom to consult further.
- Diocesan Pastoral Council
- Although not strictly mandated by Canon Law (Can. 511), the bishop has established this council which advises him on the pastoral works of the diocese.
- College of Consultors
- Required by Canon Law (Can. 502), the bishop meets regularly with this group.
- Presbyteral Council
- Mandated by Canon Law (Can. 495), the bishop meets regularly to seek the counsel of this body.
- Liturgical Commission
- This body provides counsel to the bishop in liturgical matters, develops diocesan norms, and provides formation in the sacred liturgy. (see the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council, n. 45-46)
- Clergy Personnel Board
- The bishop set up this body composed of the Vicars Forane to advise him on clergy assignments.
- Building Commission
- The bishop established this group of clergy and lay experts to advise him on major construction projects.
- Catholic Charities Board
- The bishop leads this board which advises him on the charitable works of the diocese.
- Annual Meetings with Priests
- The bishop gathers with his priests in Advent and in Lent for Days of Prayer, during an annual week-long Convocation in the spring, at a Fall Meeting of Priests, and on other occasions, both formal and informal, at which he receives the counsel of his clergy. (see Can. 384)
- Priestly Life and Ministry Committee
- This group of priests advises the bishop on all matters pertaining to priests serving in the diocese.
- Diaconal Council
- This group of permanent deacons advises the bishop on all matters pertaining to permanent deacons serving in the diocese.
- Bishop’s Advisory Council on Racism
- The bishop meets yearly with this group comprised of Black clergy and lay men and women from across the Diocese who advise him on issues related to race.
- Bishop’s Annual Listening Session with Victims of Sexual Abuse
- The bishop meets yearly with victims of sexual abuse to hear their testimony and to offer his and diocesan support.
- Bishop’s Listening Sessions in the Wake of the Clergy Abuse Scandals
- In 2019, the bishop met several times with the lay faithful to understand the pain caused by the scandals and to assure them of the diocese’s conscientious response.
- Seminary Admissions Advisory Committee
- This committee made up of religious and lay faithful advises the Bishop and the Director of Vocations regarding candidates for seminary admission.
Synodal Practices at the
Vicariate Level
- Regular Meetings of Vicars Forane with Priests of the Deanery
- The vicars forane, according to law (Can. 555), meet with the priests of their vicariate to seek their counsel and to ensure their well-being.
- Annual Visits by Vicars Forane to Parishes
- As established by universal (Can. 555) and particular law, the vicars forane make annual visitations to the parishes in their vicariates during which they consult with the clergy and lay staff of those parishes.
Synodal Practices at the
Parish Level
- Finance Councils
- As required by Canon Law (Can. 537), pastors regularly consult these parochial councils composed of expert lay faithful.
- Pastoral Councils
- Although not required by universal law (Can. 511), parish pastoral councils are required by particular law and meet regularly in each parish, with the lay faithful members advising pastors on the pastoral works of the parish.
- Parish Staff
- Most parishes have paid parish staff and regular staff meetings at which pastors consult their lay staff regarding the pastoral and administrative works of the parish.
Synodal Team
The role of the Synodal Team “is first and foremost to promote and facilitate the growth of synodal dynamism within concrete contexts in which each local Church lives…. Ultimately, the synodal teams will have the task of helping to gather the fruits of the implementation processes, also in view of the evaluation phase and the Assemblies scheduled to begin in 2027.” (Pathways, 2.2)
The Diocesan Synodal Team will have two main roles:
- Facilitate the Ecclesial Assemblies, 2026.
- Participate in the Evaluation Assemblies, 2027, and assist with summarizing their feedback/conclusions.
| Name | Parish |
|---|---|
| Rev. Donald J. Planty | St. Charles Borromeo, Arlington |
| Rev. Msgr. Paul deLadurantaye | Chancery, Diocese of Arlington |
| Rev. Guillermo Gonzalez | All Saints, Manassas |
| Deacon Malcolm D'Souza | Holy Spirit, Annandale |
| Sister Ann Dominic Mahwald, O.P. | Pope St. John Paul the Great, H.S. |
| Mr. Stephen Gabriel | St. James, Falls Church |
| Mrs. Beverly Anderson | St. Joseph, Alexandira |
| Mr. Joel de Loera | Our Lady of Angels, Woodbridge |
| Mrs. Lauren Petron | St. Rita, Alexandria |
| Ms. Ellen Orie | St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Fredericksburg |
| Mr. Tyler Goerl | Sacred Heart, Winchester |
| Mr. Vinh Le | St. Mary of Sorrows, Fairfax Station |
