Hopes, concerns, and priorities on the Synodal Pathway

Liam Bergin,

‘Baptised in Christ: Reborn for Mission’ in ‘Baptised and Sent’.                  See www.synod.ie

 

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

7 June 2026

Lay Ministry is Essential for Parish Life. Co-responsibility was closely linked with lay ministry, particularly the need for meaningful training, support, and recognition of lay leaders, especially women and young adults.

Lay ministry was recognised as essential, not only because of the declining number of clergy, but also to meet parish needs and to provide lay men and women with the opportunity to live out their baptismal call to mission and ministry.

‘The active role of the laity in ministry is vital for parish life,’ one comment affirmed, while another called for ‘training and commissioning lay ministers to serve in pastoral care, catechesis, and liturgy.’ One group stating plainly, ‘lay people should be more involved in the decision-making of the Church’ and another, ‘We need more lay-led services, especially in rural areas where priests are few.’

Expansion of lay ministry was also seen as a corrective to clericalism, noting that ‘clericalism is a barrier to the gifts of the laity being recognised and used,’ and that ‘greater humility and openness from clergy’ is needed so that lay and ordained may truly work together in service of the Gospel.

From Baptised and Sent #15

 

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

14 June 2026

People care deeply about the Mass and worship, but many feel that liturgy needs to be more engaging, accessible, and beautiful. Calls for renewal were frequent, especially to help young people and newcomers feel connected: ‘Renewing our liturgy also featured prominently with comment on language, participation, involvement, singing and somehow connecting liturgy and the Word to life.’

Liturgy was affirmed as central but often experienced as stale or disengaging, particularly for younger generations. Some expressed that ‘liturgy is important to everyone, but some people find it uninspiring and in need of renewal.’ Others stressed ‘the need for more inclusive language, participation, and a sense of belonging through worship.’ There were also concerns that ‘liturgical language and symbolism are often inaccessible or outdated, particularly for young people and those unfamiliar with Church traditions.’

Several called to ‘review how liturgy is celebrated to ensure it supports participation, community, and mission.’ Renewal was linked with lay participation: ‘people expressed a desire for more active involvement in liturgy, especially in music and lay ministries.’ The underlying hope was for worship that is beautiful, relevant, and capable of drawing people into deeper communion.

From Baptised and Sent #16

 

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

21 June 2026 • Day for Life

Women’s participation in ministry and leadership drew strong support. Many saw this as a matter of justice and credibility rooted in baptismal dignity and co-responsibility. ‘The roles of women in the Church are diminished compared to those of their male counterparts – there is a need for equality, diversity and an increase in leadership roles for women.’ There was a strongly expressed view that women do not have equal dignity in the Church.

It was noted that the subject of women keeps coming up: ‘this recurrence was felt to be an action of the Holy Spirit.’ Women’s voices in decision-making were highlighted as essential: ‘it is critical that women make and are seen to make decisions at the highest level.’

Many felt the Church needs to do more to welcome and respect LGBTQ+ people. There was a desire for open, honest conversation, grounded in the dignity of every person and shared baptismal identity, reflecting a growing awareness of how the Church speaks and acts in these areas shapes its credibility. Calls for compassion, dignity, and pastoral care were persistent, though often entangled with tension. ‘Discussions on sexuality revealed discomfort among some, but also a desire among others for the Church to be more compassionate and to listen to personal stories.’

From Baptised and Sent #17-18

 

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

28 June 2026

There were many expressions of hopes and concerns for young people and the future of the Church. In the context of belonging and inclusion, concern for young people was pronounced. Many highlighted the sharp decline in youth engagement. Strong calls emerged for creative outreach and meaningful involvement in liturgies, mission, and leadership. ‘Young people specifically express a desire to belong, to have a home.’

Feedback repeatedly affirmed that ‘young people are the future of our Church’ and that ‘young people should be a special mission of the Church.’ Their absence was seen as an urgent challenge, with concerns for young men ‘educated by social media’ and vulnerable to suicide.

Youth engagement was not just about attendance but about listening to their experiences and creating opportunities for meaningful leadership. The call was for a Church where young people are active participants shaping its life and mission.

From Baptised and Sent #19