Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, 

RE: Letter on Accompaniment Process: Implementation Phase of the Synod 

Grace and peace, I hope this note finds you well. 

On Saturday 15th March 2025, Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Secretariate of the Synod, issued the following letter on behalf of Pope Francis in relation to the Implementation Phase of the Synod: ENG_Letter_To_the_Bishops_-_implementation_phase_of_the_Synod.pdf 

As Pope Francis has declared that the Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is already a “part of the ordinary magisterium” and he now calls on local Churches to implement its outcomes in their different contexts through further discernment and decision-making. Cardinal Grech outlined the “reception of the orientations in the Final Document” to our local context. 

Much has already been done in our Archdiocese through the Plenary Council, Diocesan and Regional Assemblies, the Diocesan Councils and Commissions, and more locally in Parish Councils. We are also preparing for an Archdiocesan Synod in 2026. Cardinal Grech’s letter is an encouragement to each of us to continue this important work. 

The Pastoral Services Team will soon publish a Parish Global Synod Evaluation Guide to assist Parishes with this implementation phase. It will be made available through the Gathering of Parish Priests and Parish Pastoral Council Chairs on 2nd April 2025. 

Further to this a Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies will be celebrated on 24th – 26th October, 2025 as a new additional to the Jubilee Year. This will be a significant time to acknowledge our Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Bishops Council of Priests, other diocesan Councils and Commissions as well as Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils. 

I again thank you for your commitment to our continued synodal journey. 

With renewed thanks,
In Domino
Archbishop Patrick O'Regan