Archdiocese of Dublin at Irish National Synodal Assembly

The Irish National Synodal Assembly took place on Saturday at Gormanston, Co Meath, bringing together nominated lay, clerical and religious delegates from dioceses, parishes, religious congregations, ecclesial movements and other communities from across the Church in Ireland for a day of prayer, listening, conversation and discernment to reflect together on the question that has guided the Irish Synodal Pathway since its beginning in 2021: “What does God want from the Church in Ireland at this time?”

The Irish Synodal Pathway began in 2021 when the Bishops of Ireland invited the Church to embark on a process of renewal inviting people throughout the Church to engage in prayer, listening and reflection, and to reflect on important questions about the identity and mission of the Church in Ireland, including its pastoral life, structures, relationships, ministry and place in society. Through this process, Baptism emerged as a foundational lens for understanding the identity and mission of the Church, leading to seven priorities: belonging; co-responsibility and lay ministry; family; formation and catechesis; healing; women; and youth.

Bishop Donal Roche, Thérèse O’Mahony, Patrick Fiehn, Geraldine Tallon, Peter Siney, Fr Des Hayden, Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Orla O’Grady Walshe, Fr Gareth Byrne, Natalie Doherty, Bishop Paul Dempsey, Andrew Fagan, Deacon Dermot McCarthy and Fr Kieran McDermott. Photo by John McElroy

Natalie Doherty, from the Archdiocese of Dublin and a member of the Synod’s Working Group on Youth, said: “In my experience, the message to accompany young people has come strongly from young people themselves. This way forward for young people in the Church has been affirmed today. We are now all called to action on this.”

The National Synodal Assembly forms an important moment in the continuing journey of the Church in Ireland towards becoming a more synodal and missionary Church. The discernment undertaken at the Assembly will contribute to the next stage of that journey, which continues to involve the whole People of God.