HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NATIONAL SYNODAL ASSEMBLY
The Irish National Synodal Assembly took place on Saturday, 17 October in Gormanston, Co Meath, bringing together nominated lay, clerical and religious delegates from dioceses, parishes, religious congregations, ecclesial movements and other communities from across the Church in Ireland for a day of prayer, listening, conversation and discernment to reflect together on the question that has guided the Irish Synodal Pathway since its beginning in 2021: “What does God want from the Church in Ireland at this time?”
The Irish Synodal Pathway began in 2021 when the Bishops of Ireland invited the Church to embark on a process of renewal inviting people throughout the Church to engage in prayer, listening and reflection, and to reflect on important questions about the identity and mission of the Church in Ireland, including its pastoral life, structures, relationships, ministry and place in society. Through this process, Baptism emerged as a foundational lens for understanding the identity and mission of the Church, leading to seven priorities: belonging; co-responsibility and lay ministry; family; formation and catechesis; healing; women; and youth.
Following the Pre-Synodal Assembly in Kilkenny in October 2025, working groups were established to deepen this discernment and develop practical proposals. These 35 proposals were subsequently grouped under five pathways and presented in the Working Document – Is not this what God asks of you? :
The Church that Proclaims the Gospel
The Church as a Community of Belonging
The Church as a Place of Healing
The Church that Accompanies, and,
The Church that Empowers for Ministry and Co-responsibility
Above is a video that contains highlights of the day in Gormanstown that will be remembered as one of the most significant and historical days in the recent history of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
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