Hobart Archdiocese Synod 2027
The Archdiocese of Hobart is having a Synod
A time of prayer, listening, and discernment as we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for our future.
Every voice is valid, clergy, religious, and lay faithful. No expertise needed, just an open heart.
What is a Synod?
A synod is a gathering of God’s people – bishops, priests and laity – who come and discern together about matters regarding faith, governance, and pastoral care. This process involves prayer, dialogue, and consultation, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of the Church’s mission in the contemporary world.
The word synod means “journeying together,” reflecting the Church’s commitment to collaboration and shared decision-making.
A synodal gathering is focused on pastoral renewal and can result in decrees or pastoral plans that guide the diocese in its planning. A Synod is convoked by the Archbishop to discern the pastoral activities for ‘the good of the diocesan community’. This is the final object of the Synod.
Why a Synod for the Archdiocese of Hobart?
A Synod has a canonical purpose: Canon Law (canons 460–468) and is called by the bishop to assist him in governing the diocese. It’s a formal consultative body that helps shape pastoral priorities and policies. The process is based on a synodal spirituality of listening and discernment.
One of the commitments of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference emerging from the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia was that each Diocese conduct a Diocesan Synod within five years of the closing session of the Plenary Council (Decree Seven: At the Service of Communion, Participation and Mission: Governance). In addition, the universal Church has been called to implement new practices and structures to strengthen the life of the Church and to ensure our practices are more synodal. This work builds upon the more recent global Synod (2021-2024).
What is ‘synodality’?
The late Pope Francis described synodality as the “path that God expects of the Church in the third millennium.” It’s not just about holding synods (meetings), but about fostering a culture where consultation, collaboration, and discernment are normal.
In reflecting on Pope Francis’ approach Pope Leo, in meeting with the General Secretariat of the Bishops, noted that ‘synodality is a style, an attitude that helps us to be Church by promoting authentic experiences of participation and communion.” (June 2025)
Synodality refers to how we are to be a communion of believers journeying together. It comes from the Greek word synodos, meaning “walking together.” At its core, synodality emphasizes:
Listening and Dialogue: Everyone by virtue of baptism, laity, clergy, and religious, has a voice in discerning the Church’s mission.
Participation: There is the shared responsibility held by all the baptised to participate in the mission of the church.
Mission-Oriented: The goal is to better fulfill the Church’s mission of evangelization and service in the world.
In Australia, we had an experience of synodal practice with the preparation toward the Australian Plenary Council (2021-2022). The agenda for the Plenary Council was developed through a listening and dialogue phase which was built upon the principle of synodal spirituality. We also had the opportunity to participate in the consultation phase for the global Synod (2021-2024).
What is synodal spirituality?
At its heart, the work of synodality is a spiritual practice. It is characterised by an approach that is contemplative, involves communal listening and discernment. It refers to a way of ‘walking together’ in communion, participation and mission.
Communion
Synodal spirituality emphasizes unity in diversity, seeing the Church as the People of God journeying together.
It calls for listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another, fostering mutual respect and discernment.
Listening is central to synodality spirituality—listening to Scripture, tradition, and the lived experience of the faithful.
Discernment is prayerful and communal, seeking God’s will rather than personal agendas.
Participation
Everyone—laity, clergy, religious—has a voice and a role in the mission of the Church.
Synodal spirituality encourages active engagement.
Mission
The spiritual approach is outward-looking: the goal is evangelization and service.
Synodal spirituality inspires openness to the margins and care for those excluded.
It requires an openness of heart, humility, patience, and willingness to change.
Synodal spirituality is about walking together toward holiness.
What is the link between Vatican II and Synodality?
Although the Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II (1962–1965), never used the word synodality, it laid the theological, ecclesiological, and pastoral foundations for a synodal Church. Synodality—the practice of walking together, listening to the Holy Spirit, and discerning as the People of God—is widely understood today as the practical continuation of the Council’s vision.
1. The Church as the People of God
Vatican II reimagined the Church as a communion of the People of God, called to journey together, discern together, and share responsibility for mission. Synodality is the practical expression of that vision in today’s Church.
Synodal link:
Synodality encourages listening to the voice and participation of all the faithful.
Every baptised person shares in the mission of the Church.
2. Renewal of Collegiality
A major achievement of Vatican II was its teaching on episcopal collegiality—that bishops share responsibility for the universal Church together, always with and under the Pope.
Synodal link:
Collegiality among bishops animates of synodal processes.
In 1965, Paul VI created the Synod of Bishops specifically to enact this Vatican II insight.
3. Dialogue as a Way of Being Church
Texts such as Gaudium et Spes emphasise dialogue—within the Church, with other Christians, and with the world. The Council called the Church to read the “signs of the times” and discern the Spirit’s activity through attentive listening.
Synodal link:
Synodality is a structured practice of listening, dialogue, and discernment.
Conversations in the Spirit reflect Gaudium et Spes’ vision of an engaged, listening Church.
4. Local Churches and Participation
Vatican II encouraged stronger local churches, episcopal conferences, and shared pastoral responsibility. It recognised diversity as a gift and insisted that the universal Church comes to life in local communities.
Synodal link:
Synodality fosters co-responsibility at diocesan, parish, and regional levels.
It strengthens the capacity of local churches to discern and respond to their context.
