The following documents are key to the Synod process. The first document is from the International Theological Commission, a commission of theologians that advises the Vatican. The ITC frequently studies issues where there is no official Catholic position. Their task is to try to identify consensus among the many Catholic voices including bishops, theologians, movements, and ministries. In this 2018 document, the ITC outlines some of the key elements of synodality and looks at the historical basis for synodal practices in the church.

The next documents come from the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. In their May 2021 texts, the General Secretariat lays out some of the details and plans for the upcoming Synod. It was in this document that the world’s dioceses learned that there would be a diocesan phase of consultation. This kind of consultation has not occurred in previous Synods, but it makes considerable sense in the context of a synod on “synodality.” There is every indication that this form of consultation will occur in preparation for future synods as well.

Further details were revealed on September 7 when the General Secretariat released the Preparatory Document and a Vademecum. While the former is a theological reflection, the latter is more of a handbook or guide for local dioceses to implement a local consultation phase.

Cardinal Mario Grech, the general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, and Cardinal Kurt Koch, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, have written a letter to those responsible for ecumenism within the bishops’ conferences.