A Synodal Church: The Christian Faithful on Pilgrimage

Beyond the occasional events of synods in the Catholic church, and beyond practices of synodality, stands a church that is synodal in its very nature. This ecclesial identity has its roots in baptism and the formation of the people of God prior to any subsequent division into laity and clergy. These baptismal roots also point to the missional orientation of the church, indicating that a synodal church is not self—referential, but serves the proclamation of God's saving mercy to a world thir...