What is an Archdiocesan Synod?

On December 8, 2000 Cardinal Bevilacqua issued a decree convoking the Tenth Synod of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to be held in the Fall of 2002. A Synod gathers the members of the local Church to consider prayerfully and seriously the current state of the Church's life in order to create a vision and a plan for the future. The purpose of the Synod is to assist the Archbishop in his office of guiding the Church as Shepherd of the faithful.

The Church, founded by Jesus Christ, always relies on the help of the Holy Spirit to guide its mission and activities. Just as we ask God's gracious guidance for everyday activities, the Synod seeks wisdom and understanding through prayer. Liturgical events will play a significant part in preparing for and celebrating the Synod. All the faithful will be invited to participate in the Liturgies of the Synod.

The occasion of this Synod will give each Catholic in the Archdiocese the opportunity to offer consultation to Cardinal Bevilacqua. The occasion of a Synod reminds every baptized Catholic of the responsibility each one has in caring for the Archdiocese, preserving 2000 years of sacred Tradition, and conveying it to future generations.

Why now?

It has been sixty-seven years since the last Archdiocesan Synod held in 1934 under Cardinal Dougherty. During the past ten years, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been engaged in a multi-phased planning process. Our parishes have spent a significant amount of time in development of parish pastoral councils, parish self-study and cluster planning. The Synod will bring the fruit of this work to the next level by asking some critical questions: "As an Archdiocese,

The Synod will be a prayerful process of consultation, deliberation and planning that will impact the entire Archdiocese and bring all the people of God into a deeper communion of faith, life and practice.

Greek to Me

Do you know where the word "synod" comes from?  Click here for more information on the background and meaning of this important term.

The Call to Holiness

"All of Christ’s followers," the Church teaches us, "are invited and bound to pursue holiness and the perfect fulfillment of their proper state."  In the Decree convoking the Synod, Cardinal Bevilacqua calls upon Philadelphia's own saints, John Neumann and Katherine Drexel, to intercede for the synod's success.  This new article explores the similarities between these two saints, and how they can be models for all the faithful on the journey of discipleship.   

History of Synods in Philadelphia

The Synod of 2002 will be the tenth synod conducted in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since it was founded in 1808.  Learn more about the nine synods in our history, and what makes this Tenth Synod unique.  Click here for more.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia serves over 1.4 million Catholics in the five counties of
Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery
 in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

The archdiocesan website is http://www.archphila.org

Copyright © 2002, 2001 Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Last revision: 29 May 2003