The Irish bishops announced the Irish Synodal Pathway in 2021, not knowing that several weeks later Pope Francis would announce the Global Synod. What a surprise!
The Irish Synodal Pathway was quickly rearranged to follow the Global Synod. Every diocese in Ireland enthusiastically took up this opportunity for all voices to be heard.
There was an excitement in the air at the 2022 event in Athlone to finalise the Irish synthesis for Rome.
Hopes met with reality
Much was expected of the 2023 Synod in Rome, but then most of the key topics were taken out of the Synod and passed on to expert Study Groups, who would not report back to the Synod, but to the Vatican.
But the 2024 Synod did include two important points:
- Laity would be included as voting members of future synods.
- All countries are not required to move in lock step, allowing some to move forward while others remain.
Bishops take control
The Irish Synodal Pathway held a pre-assembly meeting in Kilkenny in 2025 with a very sombre tone compared to Athlone. The Irish bishops took control and seven Study Groups for seven priorities were approved:
- Belonging
- Co-responsibility and Lay Ministry
- Family
- Formation and Catechesis
- Healing
- Women
- Youth
Recommendations and deadlines
The seven Study Groups are to prepare a series of practical recommendations by 31 May 2026.
These will then be reviewed by the National Synodal Team (which includes four bishops), and their recommendations will be sent for approval to the Bishops Conference.
What comes next?
What “practical recommendations” might be presented to the National Assembly on 17 October 2026?
That the Irish Church requests the ordination of women to be reconsidered by the Vatican?
- Colm Holmes is Chair of We are Church International.