ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI 
Office of the Archbishop 

October 17th, 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In April 2021, Pope Francis announced the next General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.” Since its establishment during the Second Vatican Council, the Synod of Bishops has provided a forum for the forward progress of our Church. Recognizing that the Church today must exist “permanently in a state of mission,” the Holy Father has stated that the Synod of Bishops “must increasingly become a privileged instrument for listening to the People of God.” (Episcipalis Communio) With the convocation of this XVI Synod of Bishops, therefore, the voice of the People of God will be solicited and heard in a new way.

Our Archdiocesan synodal process will commence in communion with the Universal Church this Sunday, October 17, 2021, and close on the feast of Pentecost, June 5, 2022. During this time, every parish and all the People of God are called upon to participate in the consultation process, so that we may “gather the wealth of the experiences” of our local church (Vademecum 31). Not only will we be exploring the themes, challenges, and gifts of the Universal Church as one family “journeying together,” but we will also be exploring our own local initiatives in light of the Archdiocese of Miami’s 2014-2016 Pastoral Plan, “Disciples in Faith, Missionaries of Hope,” and seeking to establish renewed priorities for the upcoming five years.

Saint John Paul II said that “the secret of the success of the Synod, as of every other ecclesial event and initiative, is in fact prayer,” and accordingly, I ask that you pray for the Synod here and around the world, “so that it might become an authentic event of grace.” I will be taking an active role in this diocesan phase of the Synod and ask the same of each of you. I encourage you to fully participate possible in your own parish consultive session and to provide your voice to the synodal process.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski

Archbishop of Miami

9401 Biscayne Boulevard,

Miami Shores, Florida 33138