This morning, the General Secretariat of the Synod welcomed the bishops of Slovenia on their ad limina visit.

The meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of great fraternity, allowed for a rich and frank exchange on the challenges and progress of implementing synodality in the Slovenian dioceses.

After years of totalitarian rule, suspicion and forced isolation, the synod on synodality has enabled many priests and lay faithful to relearn how to speak about their faith; to rebuild authentic and trusting relationships based on listening and being listened to; and to renew the dynamism of structures of participation at the parish and diocesan levels.

While aware that walking together is a process that requires time and perseverance, fraught with difficulties, all Slovenian dioceses have embarked on the path of synodality.

In their speeches, the bishops emphasised the successful adoption of the Conversation in the Spirit method. Among the challenges identified by the Slovenian bishops are the change of mentality of those who prefer security or are content with a passive faith, who are instead called to become missionary disciples, but also the formation of facilitators capable of guiding the path of renewal through the practice of listening and discernment of lay people and priests, especially in leadership. This is evidenced by the numerous formation courses for priests and lay people aimed at growing in a differentiated co-responsibility that knows how to value charisms and ministries.

In short, for the Slovenian bishops, the rediscovery in recent years of synodality as a way of being Church is providing an opportunity for pastoral renewal throughout the country, especially after the Covid pandemic.