The most important event in the history of the Catholic Church in over sixty years, the
XVI General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, took place from 2021 to 2024. It expressed "the desire for a Church that is closer to people and more relational...God's home and family." The Synod has provided principles and guidelines, now part of magisterial teaching, for fulfilling this desire, which are explained and discussed in this book.
These include: how personal spiritual renewal and structural reform go hand in hand; the relationship between a Church that is truly universal and local Churches; the role of all the People of God in discernment, decision-making and implementation processes within their local parishes and dioceses; the formation that may be needed for people to assume formal ministries and leadership roles; the tension between being welcoming, inclusive and showing love to all, on the one hand, and proclaiming the truth about God and humanity, on the other; the need for accountability and transparency at various levels in Church life and organisations; and the importance of evaluating Church bodies and activities on an ongoing basis.
