Reading the Final Document Together Episode One: The Heart of Synodality with Fr Jos Moons SJ

Understanding the theological roots of what we are about 

Welcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together.

The Final Document was written by the 350 delegates of the16th ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, a month-long meeting in October 2024 of cardinals, bishops, Religious and lay men and women from around the world. It was the culmination of an extraordinary three-year global listening process. In the closing moments of the assembly, Pope Francis took the document to form part of the ordinary teaching of the church.

The document is the fruit of the joys of these encounters, and can be downloaded for free via our website and in different languages on the Synod official website. In this series of six podcasts you are invited to join us as together we explore the Final Document, officially named For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission, and unpack its meaning so that we can begin to live out its fruits in our parishes, communities and wherever we are.  

In this first of six episodes, Dr Avril Baigent, one of the Directors of School for Synodality and a facilitator in Rome during October 2024, is in conversation with  Fr Jos Moons SJ to unpack the first section of the document: The Heart of Synodality — exploring what it means to be a Church that listens, discerns, and journeys together.

The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. The website has guides and resources for prayer, discernment, and parish practice including downloadable materials for Reimaging Parish Pastoral Councils, Small Group Resources for exploring the Final Document further and Conversation in the Spirit videos and workshops.   Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our activities.

Episode 2: “The Conversion of Relationships” Dr Avril Baigent talks to Professor Anna Rowlands, St Hilda, Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice at Durham University about section two of the Final Document — exploring ministries, charisms, and vocation for mission in a listening Church.

Links

Podcast Episode 1: Transcript The Final Document: For a Synodal Church:  Communion, Participation, Mission October 2024 Future of Synodality: How We Move Forward from Here Kristin M Colberg/Jos Moons SJ, 2025, Liturgical Press The School for Synodality

Full list of episodes:

1. The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ
2. The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands
3. The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla
4. The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford
5. Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul
6. A Feast for All peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon