02/07/2026 09:00 - 11:10

HALL: Pola - A106

Contact: Faggioli M.

Chair: Froehle B.

The term "synodality" jumped onto the contemporary Catholic scene thanks to the use of the term by Pope Francis. As a concept regarding church governance, it has an ancient lineage, one inseparably tied to the exercise of ecclesiastical power. Who listens to whom, and how? What sorts of decisions can be made by whom? Most importantly, what justifies those decisions? Ecclesial policy quickly moves from the merely operational to the doctrinal and back again. Thus, "synodality" inevitably means the development of doctrine, an understanding to which John Henry Newman, proclaimed a doctor of the church on All Saints Day 2025, notably contributed. His legacy, and that of the Vincentian canon oft cited by Francis, is universally accepted within the Catholic Church. Understanding differs, however. The German and Italian synods illustrate this, as does the Latin American continental synod, the Australian Plenary Council, and, of course, the Synod of Bishops and global design behind the Synod on Synodality that culminated in the 2023 and 2024 Roman assemblies. Based on all these experiences, what can be said of synodality? How did the various processes and structures work, or not? What were the internal contradictions? How did the inevitable power struggles play out? What about long-term implications? Will there be any? Why or why not?