( en español )
July 6, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This year, the faithful of the Diocese of Arlington enthusiastically welcomed the call of Pope Francis to assist in the preparation for the 2023 General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops by engaging in local synodal gatherings over the last several months. People from all walks of life participated prayerfully, respectfully, and with charity in many synodal listening sessions, at which all were invited to share their thoughts on the Church's experience of journeying together in faithfulness to Our Lord. Many participants expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity to reflect together on how the Church is accomplishing her mission, and encouraged continued opportunities to do so. During these sessions common themes emerged, highlighting the joys and hopes-as well as the difficulties and obstacles-we share as we strive to live the Gospel of Jesus.
I am happy to share with you a summary of those themes in a Diocesan Synodal Synthesis Report, the same report that I have submitted to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in preparation for the Synod in Rome next year. I trust you will find that the themes outlined in the report resonate with your experience of participating in a synodal listening session in particular, and of living the faith in our diocese in general. Providentially, the main themes that emerged from our Diocesan Synodal Phase confirmed the pastoral priorities identified in our diocesan Strategic Planning process that we began last year.
Both experiences of synodality showed the importance of continued prayerful listening, dialogue, and community discernment. I am grateful to all of you who participated so wonderfully in our Diocesan Synodal Phase, and I ask you please to pray for me and for our diocese that we may continue to journey together in unity and charity as the People of God in fidelity to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Bishop of Arlington
Reports
Arlington Synodal Synthesis Report - English (PDF)
Arlington Synodal Synthesis Report - Spanish (PDF)
2021-2024 Synod
A Synod of Bishops, from the Greek word “to journey together,” 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.
Pope Francis convoked the 2023 Ordinary Synod of Bishops to discuss the subject of “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”-that is, on synodality. Synodality concerns the People of God journeying together, and reflecting together on the journey, so as to live communion, to achieve participation, and to be open to mission.
Beginning in 2021, the Holy Father asked the Catholic Church throughout the world to participate in local (diocesan), national, and continental stage preparations for the 2023 universal stage of the Synod of Bishops. The Diocese of Arlington engaged in robust and fruitful consultations on the synodal themes of communion, participation, and mission. The resulting Arlington “Diocesan Synodal Synthesis Report,” the “U.S. National Synthesis Report,” and the “North American Continental Report” are available in links below. The various continental syntheses were forwarded to Rome for consideration at the universal stage.
The First Session of the XVI Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops took place in Rome from October 4-29, 2023, and released a “Synthesis Report” which is available in a link below [on our diocesan synod webpage: https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/synod.].
Pope Francis extended the synodal experience to a Second Session of the XVI Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to take place in Rome in October, 2024. During this “Interim Stage” between the universal sessions, the Synod has once again called upon local (diocesan), and regional churches to carry out further consultations, reflecting on the central themes of the universal “Synthesis Report.” Consequently, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has asked each diocese in our country to hold three synodal listening sessions during the upcoming season of Lent to discuss the fundamental subjects of the Synthesis Report.
Accordingly, in the Diocese of Arlington, Bishop Burbidge will preside over three synodal listening sessions-two in English and one in Spanish-attended by representative participants from every parish and from other institutions throughout our diocese, to continue the conversation about the importance of synodality in the Church. Following the sessions, Bishop Burbidge will forward a diocesan Synthesis Report to the USCCB, which will subsequently send a national Synthesis Report to the Synod of Bishops in Rome to inform their October 2024 session.
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