PRESS RELEASE
of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life
“The challenge of synodality for the mission”
On 13 June in the Vatican, the Annual Meeting of Moderators of associations of the faithful, ecclesial movements and new communities
promoted by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life
Vatican City, 11 June 2024 – There will be around 200 participants in the Annual meeting of Moderators of associations of the faithful, ecclesial movements and new communities, promoted by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life (DLFL), to take place on Thursday 13 June 2024, in the Vatican’s New Synod Hall.
The theme of the Meeting will be “The challenge of synodality for the mission”. The Church, through the Synod on synodality, is experiencing a time of consultation, reflection and dialogue in order to implement fully its synodal dimension, which forms part of the mystery of communion, in the image of trinitary communion.
This year’s Meeting with the Moderators of international associations proposes to highlight some examples of synodal structures and practices already experienced in associations and movements that may be an example and stimulus for the entire Church, such as the sharing of the life of faith within small groups or small communities, community discernment, the co-responsibility of laypeople and ordained ministers in taking on governance roles, the involvement of married couples and young people in evangelization, in charitable and social action, and so on.
The participants in the Annual Meeting with Moderators will also be invited to reflect on all the synodal dimensions that pose new challenges to the growth of associations and movements.
The theme of the day is located within the context of the ultimate ecclesial purpose, which remains that of mission, the only one capable of giving full meaning, concreteness and effectiveness to the synodal journey.
The day will begin with the celebration of Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica, presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. The participants will then be received in audience by the Holy Father Francis.
After the greeting from Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the programme includes two keynote speeches. Professor Rafael Luciani, lecturer at the Andrés Bello Catholic University, Venezuela, will introduce the theme of Mission as the purpose of synodality, and Dr. Elisa Lisiero, official of the Dicastery, will invite the participants to reflect on synodality in the experience of movements.
Ample time for sharing and space for questions and free interventions by the participants will, as always, characterize the Meeting.
As in previous years, all the one hundred and seventeen international associations of the faithful, private and public, and the other entities with juridical personality, over which the Dicastery has direct competence and whose life and development it is obliged to accompany, are invited to the annual Meeting with the Moderators (cf. EP, no. 134).
The updated Directory with the list and contacts of associations, ecclesial movements and new communities can be consulted on the website of the Dicastery (www.laityfamilylife.va).
_____________________________
Accreditation and participation procedures
Journalists and media workers who wish to participate in the events open to the press must apply by 12 noon on 12 June, exclusively via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system at https://press.vatican.va/accreditamenti.
Journalists and media operators who receive confirmation of attendance will be able to:
- follow the opening session on 13 June from 11.00 to 13.15 (on arrival in the New Synod Hall, stop at Reception and ask to be received by the staff of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life);
- interview the available participants, exclusively during the breaks scheduled in the programme.
Further information:
Pamela Fabiano
Communication
Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life
comunicazione@laityfamilylife.va
+39. 339.4034163
