PATHWAYS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE OF THE SYNOD

These Pathways, prepared by the General Secretariat of the Synod with the favourable opinion of its Ordinary Council and approved by the Holy Father Leo XIV, are part of the General Secretariat's service of accompaniment during the implementation phase of the Synod. They have a twofold purpose. On the one hand, they aim to offer local Churches throughout the world a shared framework that will make it easier to walk together. On the other hand, they promote the dialogue that will lead the whole Church to the Ecclesial Assembly in October 2028.

The Pathways are also available in Italian (original version of the Document), and in the official English, Spanish, Portuguese and French translation.

The Document is also available in the following languages: German.

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The text of the Pathways, which will be followed by others as needed, outlines the implementation phase and answers some fundamental questions that have often been addressed to the Secretariat in recent months. It is structured as follows:

1. What is the implementation phase and what are its objectives?

2. Who will participate in the implementation phase? What are their tasks and responsibilities?

2.1. The responsibility of the diocesan or eparchial Bishop

2.2. The task of the synodal teams and participatory bodies

2.3. The role of the groupings of Churches

2.4. The service of the General Secretariat of the Synod

3. How to engage with the FD during the implementation phase?

3.1. Preserving the overall vision

3.2. Investing in concrete practices

4. What method and tools can help shape our path during the implementation phase?

4.1. Ecclesial discernment

4.2. A synodal approach to designing and accompanying processes