What to keep in mind when planning a contribution? 

On various occasions Pope Francis has shared what it means to be a synodal Church: a Church of listening and closeness. He has also described the attitudes and inner dispositions that each of us is called to assume in entering into the synod. They are set out in the Preparatory Document (nos.24, 29) and in the Vademecum (paragraphs 2.3-2.4). We ask anyone considering a submission to synodresources.org to keep them in mind.  

 Who can send material? 

The current synodal process is addressed to the entire People of God, to all the baptised. In chapter 2.1 of the Vademecum, we urged dioceses to involve people at risk of exclusion (women, migrants, the elderly or Catholics who rarely or never practise their faith). At the same time, in order to participate fully in the act of discernment, it is important for the baptised to listen to the voices of other people in their local context, including those who have abandoned the practice of the faith, people from other faith traditions, people who have no religious beliefs at all. 

Therefore, anyone is entitled to send material. At the same time, because we firmly believe that the experience of faith is and must be communitarian, we will only accept contributions that express the views of a group clearly identified. We regret that individual submissions will not be considered.  

To this practical criterion, we would also ask that the contribution be the expression of a real and sincere desire to walk together. In this sense, we invite all those who wish to send a contribution to check that they have not fallen into the "Pitfalls" that we have highlighted in chapter 2.4 of the Vademecum. If this is the case, we will feel free to exclude the content. 

Senders remain responsible for the content of their material and for compliance with copyright and privacy rules.