School for Synodality

Reading the Final Document Together Episode Three: The Conversion of Processes with Dr Estela Padilla

Discernment, decision-making and accountabilityWelcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together.
In this third 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 Dr Estela Padilla to 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”. Her experiences of synodality in the Philippines highlighted new perspectives on how we can approach this chapter, called the ‘Conversion of Processes’. Dr Estela spoke about a number of practical tools during her talk, including Bible Mirroring, Asian Integral Pastoral Approach, Theory U 3D mapping, and Two Loop Theory of Change with the Berkana Institute.
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 4: “The Conversion of Bonds”
Dr Avril Baigent talks to Dr Cathy Clifford, professor of Systemic and Historical theology at St Paul's University in Ottawa, Canada.
Links
Podcast Episode 3: TranscriptBible MirroringAsian Integral Pastoral Approach Theory U 3D mappingTwo Loop Theory of Change with the Berkana Institute  The 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 Four: The Conversion of Bonds with Dr Cathy Clifford

Vatican Dicasteries, Episcopal Conferences, relating to other churches and religions, the role of the Pope and moreWelcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together.
Avril Baigent had a great conversation with our guest speaker Professor Cathy Clifford, on the fourth chapter called ‘The Conversion of Bonds’, talking about how the concept of parishes is being redefined in the face of rapid change, reflecting on how we personally view power structures, and the importance of lay people understanding these structures and how decisions are made.
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 5: “Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship”
In the next episode two expert speakers Fr David McCallum and Sandra Chaol, both of whom were also facilitators at the Rome Synod assembly join Avril to share their experiences of formation for Synodality and unpack the notion of synodal leadership.
Links
Podcast Episode 4: Transcript
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 Five: Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship with David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaol

We need everyone in the boat Welcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together.
Avril Baigent was joined by guest speakers from the Discerning Leadership Programme to talk about part 5 of the Final Synod Document, about how to bring people together and understand the mission of Synodality.
David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul shared fascinating insights into the fifth chapter – ‘Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship’. They discussed how formation is for everyone, not just for clergy – and it is a call for each of us to foster the capacity for discernment and develop the spiritual disposition for this synodal ‘paradigm shift’ as we journey 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.  
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 6: A Feast for All Peoples
What next for our Church?Avril Baigent explores the final chapter with our guest speaker Archbishop Jason Gordon on the 25th June 2025, who provides practical insights into how we can go from theory and discernment, to synodal communion and action.
Links
Podcast Episode 5: Transcript
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 Six: A Feast for all Peoples with Archbishop Jason Gordon

Welcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together.
What next for our Church? 
Avril Baigent explores the final chapter in the Final Synod Document ‘A Feast for all Peoples’ with our guest speaker Archbishop Jason Gordon, who provides practical insights into how we can go from theory and discernment, to synodal communion and action.
They spoke about how to consider discipleship not only at key sacramental moments like Holy Communion and Confirmation, but as an evolving spiritual role throughout someone’s entire life, and how the simple four verbs of “relating, listening, discerning and self-emptying” helps turn us towards becoming a synodal church in our communities and contexts amongst many other suggestions - a very rich conversation!
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.
Links
Podcast Episode 6: TranscriptReviving Our Caribbean Soul: A Contemplative Synodal Journey, Rev. Charles Jason Gordon, 2024
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