The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has published a timeline laid out by the ‘National Synodal Team’, which will culminate in Ireland’s first national Synodal assembly in October 2026. It noted the necessity of a “gradual process” built on dialogue and communal discernment, all of which it said is guided by the principles outlined in the Universal Synod’s Final Document, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission, published in 2024.
Throughout spring 2025, various dioceses and Church groups are gathering to discuss and continue to mark the pathway, drawing on the 15 themes which were highlighted by the universal synodal consultation process in Ireland, and two more which were added by the National Synodal Team. The insights gained from these gatherings will then be presented at a pre-synodal assembly later this year in Kilkenny in October 2025. For further information see synod.ie.
Key Milestones in the Synodal Pathway:
- May 1, 2025 – Deadline for dioceses and Church groups to submit feedback via an online form at synod.ie.
- May – June 2025 – The National Synodal Team will review submissions and identify emerging priorities.
- October 18, 2025 – A National Pre-Synodal Assembly will take place at the Kilkenny Convention Centre, where representatives will discuss and discern the identified priorities.
- November 2025 – September 2026 – Theological, pastoral, and interdisciplinary working groups will explore each priority in preparation for the National Synodal Assembly.
- October 17, 2026 – The first National Synodal Assembly will be held, shaping future decisions and strategies for the Catholic Church in Ireland.
