Theological Briefings Paper for the 2023 Synod Assembly
Since May 2022, KU Leuven (Belgium) runs a research project, called Mapping Synodality, with the objective to create an overview of the academic conversation on synodality and the Roman Catholic Church at the service of the Synod 2021-2024. The project is based on literature in English, French, German and Spanish.
The concrete fruits of the project are
- an extensive Academic Bibliography 2013-2023 (online at LINK);
- a series of relatively short (3-5 pages) and accessible Theological Briefing Papers. (These Papers are also available as Apports des théologiens et théologiennes pour le Synode 2023, Documentos informativos de teología para el Sínodo 2023, and Theologische Tischvorlagen für die Synode 2023.)
The Papers provide comprehensive presentations on selected topics: 1. The Practice of Synodality; 2. Participation, the People of God, and the Sensus Fidelium; 3. The Bishop in a Synodal Church; 4. Canon Law & Structures for Synodality; 5. Social Justice and Synodality; 6. Inculturation and synodality; 7. Women Participation; 8. Formation for Synodality; 9. Liturgy and Synodality. There is also a paper with a Methodological Justification.
The Papers are meant as a help for the members of the People of God who want to be informed about the academic conversation on synodality, particularly those who participate in the Synod 2023.
The main researcher is Dr Jos Moons. He has been helped by doctoral student Robert Alvarez. The project is supervised by Professor Judith Gruber and an international Scientific Committee.
Methodological Justification
1. The Practice of Synodality
2. Participation, People of God, Sensus Fidelium
3. The Bishop in a Synodal Church
4. Canon Law & Structures for Synodality
5. Social Justice and Synodality
6. Inculturation and Synodality
7. Women participation
8. Formation for Synodality
9. Liturgy and Synodality