School for Synodality

Practising Synodality: What is Synodality? | Dr Jessie Rogers

What is Synodality? Join us in the first of our 2023 Practising Synodality Podcast Series as Dr Avril Baigent, Director of the School for Synodality speaks with Dr Jessie Rogers, Dean of Faculty of Theology, St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth.
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. 
During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.

Practising Synodality: Thinking about power and trust | Ciaran Beary & Fr Kevin O'Driscoll

The second episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series looks at 'thinking about power and trust'. Avril Baigent hosts with guests Ciaran Beary, a facilitation and leadership consultant including for the UN, and Fr Kevin O'Driscoll, at the Diocese of Northampton.
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. 
During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.
Find out more about the School for Synodality on our website here >>.

Practising Synodality: Best and Worst Practices | Fr Matthew Nunes & Fr Phillip Inch

The third of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores to topic ‘Best and Worse Practices’. Dr Avril Baigent in conversation with guests Fr Matthew Nunes and Fr Phillip Inch, co-moderators of the Archdiocese of Liverpool Synod.
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. 
During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.

Practising Synodality: Discerning the signs of the times | Sarah Adams

The fourth episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘Discerning the Signs of the Times’. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Sarah Adams, from the Diocese of Clifton.
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. 
During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.

Practicing Synodality: The Art of Listening - hearing all the voices | Sr Ngozie

The fifth episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘The Art of Listening - hearing all the voices'. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Sr Ngozie, Director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Nigeria. Sr Ngozie has worked with CAFOD for many years, and this podcast episode is held in partnership with them.
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. 
During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.

Practising Synodality: Group Discernment | Mauricio Lopez

The sixth episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘Group Discernment’. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Mauricio Lopez, Executive Secretary of CEAMA (Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon).
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. 
During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.

Practising Synodality: A European Perspective | Deacon Geert De Cubber

The seventh episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘A European Perspective'. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Deacon Geert De Cubber, episcopal delegate for catechesis, youth and families in the Diocese of Gent, Belgium.
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. 
During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.

Practising Synodality: Becoming a Synodal Community | Professor Anna Rowlands

The final episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘Becoming a Synodal Community’. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Professor Anna Rowlands, Office for Synod, Vatican and Durham University.
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. 
During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.

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: TranscriptThe Final Document: For a Synodal Church:  Communion, Participation, Mission October 2024Future of Synodality: How We Move Forward from Here Kristin M Colberg/Jos Moons SJ, 2025, Liturgical PressThe School for Synodality
Full list of episodes:
The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ
The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands
The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla
The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford
Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul
A Feast for All peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon

Reading the Final Document Together Episode Two: The Conversion of Relationships with Prof Anna Rowlands

Mission and ministry in a changing world  Welcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together.
In this second 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  Professor Anna Rowlands to discuss how in rediscovering our true nature and purpose, we can shift the perspective on challenges the Church faces, “re-rooting us in a language and economy of gift, of abundance, of cooperation and of communion”.  
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.  
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 3: “The Conversion of Processes” Dr Avril Baigent talks to Dr Estela Padilla a Manila based theologian, Director of Bukal Ng Tipan, Executive Secretary of the Office of Theological Concerns at the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences and a voting member of the General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality,  Rome 2023 and 2024.  Estela will discuss the transformative capacity of healthy discernment, seeing how contextual approaches helps the gospel enter daily life as an “energy of hope”, and how synodal decision-making is “not based in a power structure, but a mission structure”.
Links
Podcast Episode 2: TranscriptFrascati document 'Enlarge the space of your tent'   Instrumentum LaborisThe School for Synodality
Full list of episodes
The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ
The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands
The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla
The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford
Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul
A Feast for All peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon