Diocese of Pittsburgh Releases Local Synod Report

After compiling input from more than 3,600 people, who, for the past months have gathered in parishes, schools, healthcare institutions, religious houses, private living rooms, and more, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has released results of the local phase of the two-year worldwide Synod on Synodality.  

The Diocesan Synthesis was compiled by a team of diocesan officials, with input from many of the faithful across the diocese. Bishop David Zubik approved the document, and it has been forwarded to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as part of the synodal process begun by Pope Francis in October 2021.

Emphasizing a need for listening, with a goal of reinvigorating the global Church, the Holy Father directed all dioceses to invite people from all walks of life to come together to share honest reflections of their faith experiences. 

“It gives me great pleasure to present the Diocesan Synthesis to you, the faithful of the Diocese of Pittsburgh,” Bishop Zubik wrote in a letter included in the synthesis document. “It is a chance to listen to what our fellow Catholics have to say about their experience as Catholics. It is an invitation for us to continue listening and discerning with those around us.”

The 38-page synthesis document shares commentary from diocesan groups and individuals on various faith-related topics.

“This is a report that I, as Bishop of Pittsburgh, am proud to submit. In a certain sense, this document represents the love which many who participated in the synodal process have for the Church.”

The three most common themes that emerged through the diocesan synodal process are:

1.  Liturgy: Many individuals spoke of the importance of life-giving liturgies, engaging music, reverent celebration of the sacraments, the centrality of the Most Holy Eucharist and the grace of Eucharistic Adoration.
    
2. Welcoming and Inclusion: Many stories focused on the need to be a welcoming and inclusive Church, although understandings seem to differ.   There is a perceived need to find better and more effective and affectionate ways to welcome and include new members, and to welcome those who feel excluded for a variety of reasons.  There is also a strong feeling of sadness among participants regarding those who no longer practice their faith or have left the Church.
    
3. Catechesis: Response indicated a strong recognition of the need to help both adults and children have a better understanding of their faith so that they may share it with others.
    

With the diocesan phase concluded, the synodal process has moved to gathering and combining other reports from around the world that will be sent to the Vatican for further synthesis. Pope Francis will convene the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, set for October 2023 in Rome with the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”

While the synodal process continues, the Church in the United States is engaged in a National Eucharistic Revival that began in June 2022 and will run through 2025. The USCCB-led revival aims to foster deeper devotion to and knowledge about the Eucharist among U.S. Catholics.

Two documents: At a Glance: Summary of the Diocesan Synthesis, and How to keep the synodal spirit alive are attached to provide for further information. Those documents along with the entire synthesis are available at https://diopitt.org/journeying-together. Synod information also can be found at www.usccb.org/synod and www.synod.va/en.html.