In October 2021, the Catholic Church embarked on a global synodal journey, a two-year process of listening and discernment at all levels of the Church that aims to help transform the Church into a synodal body. In keeping with our mission to elevate and implement best leadership practices within the Church, we stepped forward as a partner to the Church on this journey, offering our expertise and resources to ensure the success of the process.
The word “synod” comes from the Greek “sunodos” meaning “a meeting; a common way.” For the Church, this Synodal journey is a common way taken together by all Catholics, a path to becoming a truly listening, co-responsible Church.
Leadership Roundtable collaborated with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Vatican, and Church leaders in the ongoing Synodal process by creating two documents that share the best practices for facilitating and reporting synodal consultations. Drawn from our more than 16 years of leadership development and convening expertise we made these available globally in English and Spanish.
The practices we outline in these resources aim to ensure the synodal process is easily executed by small and large dioceses, is easily replicable, and that results are reported accurately.
Leadership Roundtable is proud to be collaborating with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Vatican on this synodal journey, offering our expertise and resources to ensure the success of the journey to which we have all been called.
“What I’ve learned from the experience of synodality: it’s truly an experience of doing and leadership, especially with more co-responsibility and consultation and that is the main road for the Church today.”
Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ
Undersecretary to the Synod of Bishops
In response to requests to convene leaders of national Catholic organizations in the ongoing Synod process, Leadership Roundtable facilitated a gathering of leaders from non-diocesan Catholic religious organizations, major Catholic nonprofits, foundations, and university institutes to model and educate leaders about synodal processes.
In November 2021 and February 2022, we held our first two Synodal gatherings and welcomed Fr. David McCallum, SJ — a member of the Vatican Commission on Methodology for the Synod —to help guide the process. In May 2022, we convened these leaders for our third gathering since the start of the 2022-23 Synod process. During this gathering, we invited Sr. Carol Zinn, SSJ, executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, to speak about the Synod, lead us in prayer and guide us in our work to learn from one another.
More than 60 individuals took part in these gatherings, participating in small-group discussions with leaders whom they generally do not know, and a plenary session to discuss their roles during the Synod, what their organization is or could be doing, and how to implement synodal processes in their organizational culture moving forward.
When asked what was the most valuable aspect of the gatherings, attendees reported:
The National Catholic Leadership Circle continues to gather quarterly in meetings hosted by Leadership Roundtable. The National Catholic Leadership Circle has created a much-needed opportunity to connect with like-minded Catholic leaders on issues of synodality, leadership, and co-responsibility.
“You don’t decide before you discern. Wisdom is seeing what God sees. Come to discernment expecting to see anew. Discernment is something you receive, not achieve. Never go ahead of grace. And when grace comes to you, go with it.”
Sr. Carol Zinn, SSJ
Executive Director
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Este verano, Leadership Roundtable concluyó el primer curso de Liderazgo…
This summer, Leadership Roundtable concluded the pilot of a Synodal…
In response to requests to convene leaders of national Catholic…
