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A four-year 'synodal' process is taking place across the Catholic Church. This is an important moment in the life of the world Church, with Pope Francis calling us all to reflect on the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.”

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On 10-11 May, the 15th Ordinary Council* of the General Secretariat of the Synod met in Rome to discuss the Instrumentum laboris: the working document for participants in the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (4-29 October 2023).

In plenary session and in language working groups, the Council members, accompanied by some consultants, reviewed, amended and approved the Instrumentum laboris, which is scheduled to be published in early June. Participants also approved the assembly's methodology.

The work included a reflection on the preparation of the participants with some information on the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil on 30 September next year, as part of the Together2023 initiative and the spiritual retreat for participants of the assembly (1-3 October 2023).

The meeting took place in an atmosphere of great fraternity and was marked by several moments of prayer and time for personal reflection.

*Members of the Ordinary Council take office at the end of the Ordinary General Assembly that elected them. They are members of the following Ordinary General Assembly and cease their mandate when the latter is dissolved.

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