Dear Friends,

This is a first echo of this synod. We will have other elements. Still, it is up to us, according to our cultural and ecclesial contexts, to foresee what objectives we set for ourselves to best serve our brothers and sisters of VMI?

With Mary contemplating the heart of her Son Jesus, the Holy Spirit will guide us in the Mission.

Beautiful preparation for Christmas during the time of Advent.

Bishop + Christian Nourrichard.

“The Synod: a new impetus for the Mission”

Contrary to what happens following a synod, Pope Francis will not write a post-synodal apostolic exhortation. He considers that the final document already contains very concrete indications that can serve as a guide for the mission of the Churches, on the different continents that have different contexts. The Pope wants this final document to be disseminated quickly

It is about involving everyone in the daily journey with a synodal methodology of consultation and discernment, identifying concrete means and formation paths to achieve a concrete synodal conversion in the various ecclesial realities.

Five parts make up the structure of the final document:

1) The heart of synodality:

It is the desire for a Church closer to people and more relational; a Church that is the house and family of God. It is a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform to make the Church more participatory and missionary; to make it more capable of walking with every man and woman radiating the light of Christ.

2) Conversion of relationships: it is the call to a Church more capable of nourishing relationships with the Lord, between men and women, in families, in communities between all Christians between social groups, between religions with creation, without forgetting those who share the suffering of feeling excluded or judged.

3) Conversion of processes: Ecclesial discernment, care of decision-making processes and the commitment to account for and evaluate the outcome of decisions taken, are practices with which we respond to the Word that shows us the path of mission.

4) Conversion of bonds: We live in a time when the experience of the places of rooting and pilgrimage of the Church is transformed, it is necessary to cultivate in new forms the exchange of gifts and to weave bonds that unite us, supported by the ministry of the bishops in communion with each other and with the Bishop of Rome. This part also evokes the phenomena of human mobility and digital culture.

5) Forming a people of missionary disciples: it is appropriate to establish an integral, continuous and shared formation in synodality. To bear witness to the joy of the Gospel, growing in synodality the People of God needs an adequate formation in the freedom of the sons and daughters of God following Jesus Christ. This formation is lived in prayer and is recognized in the poor. The final document ends with a trusting prayer to the Virgin Mary. It entrusts to her the results of this synod. “Teach us to be a People of missionary disciples walking together: a synodal Church”