In the U.S., the early weeks of the diocesan phase of the synod on synodality so far reveal an uneven response to Pope Francis’ vision of a more decentralized, listening and discerning church that “journeys together.”

POPE FRANCIS TO CONFER NEW LAY MINISTRIES FOR FIRST TIME IN ST. PETER’S BASILICA
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will confer the ministries of catechist, lector, and acolyte upon lay men and