For a Synodal Church, the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality, is an essential text for the life of the Church today. Published in English in the United States for the first time, this Vatican document provides a clear and authoritative foundation for continuing the synodal journey in the years ahead and is indispensable for any Catholic who wants to understand what synodality is and how to live it in practice.
"The Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops gathers the fruits of a journey marked by listening to the People of God and by the discernment of Pastors.... Acknowledging the value of the synodal journey undertaken, I now hand over to the whole Church all that is contained in the Final Document restoring to the Church what has matured over these years through listening and discernment and as an authoritative orientation for the Church's life and mission.... The local Churches and groupings of Churches are now called upon to implement, in their different contexts, the authoritative proposals contained in the Document through the processes of discernment and decision-making provided for by law and by the Document itself.... May the Holy Spirit, gift of the Risen Lord, sustain and guide the whole Church on this journey."
Pope Francis
