This is another good example of the involvement of many dioceses and organisations in the synodal process. This is the Archdiocese of Durango, Mexico, where the website and various printed materials distributed inform, educate and solicit the participation of all.
Interestingly, in the same archdiocesan structure, four synodal commissions have been created, similar to those of the General Secretariat of the Synod, designated as follows: Spirituality, Theology, Logistics and Communication.
Each commission has very specific functions:
The Spirituality Commission: ‘To promote in all parishes, groups, movements and associations, days of prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament with the intention of praying for the smooth running of this Synod in the diocesan phase’.
The Theological Commission: “To offer aids to present the biblical and theological foundations of synodality to the people of God” and “to examine the texts published by the Synod Secretariat for possible reflections and proposals”.
Logistics Commission: “Central Commission, whose function is to listen to the People of God, through consultation, with structured questions, favouring the inclusion and participation of citizens”.
Communication Commission: “To massively divulge the concept of the Synod and the path of the first diocesan phase, so that all the People of God identify with this path and actively participate in it”.
On the official website of the archdiocese – https://arquidiocesisdurango.org – where this presentation of the synodal structure of the archdiocese can be found, the homepage features the face of Pope Francis, the coat of arms of the diocese, the official logo of the Synod, very well adapted to the image of the archdiocese, and the motto ‘In synodality, we walk together’.
From here it is possible to access another series of materials to help and facilitate participation in the Synod: a chronology, including Cardinal Mario Grech’s ‘Synodality and Mission’ lecture in the diocesan auditorium in November 2021 (available on video); a video gallery; various resources for the synod sessions and a section with various information documents.
The videography includes informative videos with cartoons, for example this one on how to prepare and organise a synod meeting: https://arquidiocesisdurango.org/video-galeria-sobre-el-sinodo/
Other videos include messages and reflections by Archbishop Faustino Armendáriz Jiménez.