Archdiocese of Armagh: Synodal Pathway Spring Gatherings 2025 – What We’ve Heard

In Spring 2025, the Archdiocese of Armagh hosted a series of meaningful conversations as part of our continued journey and engagement with the Irish Synodal Pathway. Parishes across the Archdiocese of Armagh participated in gatherings that sought to bring diverse voices, experiences and hopes to this moment of discernment in the Irish Church.

The gatherings were not new spaces of listening but instead sought to refine priorities that for deeper reflection and discernment for action at a national level. 

Who Took Part?

Participants of all ages joined these gatherings, with particularly strong representation from individuals aged 56 and above. This range provided rich insights across generations and in light of our own upcoming Congress on Youth, Family and Faith it is clear that much energy will be needed to engage meaningfully with young people, young adults, families and other diverse groups. 

Dominant Themes That Emerged

Several key themes were affirmed consistently:

  1. Youth Involvement: A strong desire to re-engage young people, especially post-Confirmation, through renewed catechesis, inclusive liturgies, and authentic involvement in parish ministries.
  2. Family: Families were affirmed as central to faith formation, with participants highlighting the urgent need for better support, resources, and accompaniment beyond sacramental milestones.
  3. Faith Formation, Catechesis & Education: There was widespread recognition of the need for comprehensive and ongoing catechetical programmes accessible to all age groups. Emphasis was placed on bridging faith education in schools and parish life at home.
  4. Belonging and Inclusion: A strong pastoral priority emerged around welcoming all, including LGBTQ+ individuals, divorced people, migrants, and non-traditional families, stressing the need for a church community defined by openness rather than judgement.
  5. Baptism & Sacramental Life: Participants articulated a clear call to reconnect baptism with ongoing faith development, advocating for greater parish involvement in sacramental preparation and maintaining meaningful connections with young people after Confirmation.
  6. Role of Women in the Church: Discussions acknowledged the significant contributions of women, advocating for expanded roles in leadership, ministry, and decision-making.
  7. Co-responsibility and Lay Involvement: A clear consensus formed around the urgency of increasing lay participation, especially in leadership and decision-making roles, recognising the challenges posed by declining clergy numbers.

Differences of Opinion

Some topics naturally generated varied perspectives and opinions, especially:

  • Approaches to issues around sexuality, LGBTQ+ inclusion and outreach.
  • Women’s roles in the Church.
  • Dynamics between clergy and laity in relation to decision-making.
  • Appropriate ages for receiving sacraments.
  • How the Church addresses all forms of abuse.

These differences highlight the rich diversity of experiences and viewpoints in our Archdiocese and reflect both the complexity of handing on faith in the contemporary world and and also the diversity and vibrancy of our community.

What Priorities Emerged Clearly from Listening in the Archdiocese of Armagh?

Participants, guided by the Holy Spirit, identified the following as priorities for National and  Archdiocesan focus:

  • Deepening youth involvement.
  • Strengthening family support and engagement.
  • Renewing and expanding faith formation and catechesis.
  • Enhancing belonging and inclusion across all parish communities.
  • Reconnecting baptism with ongoing sacramental life.
  • Promoting the role of women in leadership and ministry.
  • Developing authentic co-responsibility and lay involvement.

Why Now?

These priorities have emerged at a pivotal moment. As the synthesis submitted to the National Synodal Pathway states, the Archdiocese is clearly at a crossroads: there is a collective yearning for renewal and transformation and many who engaged are seeking a Church and communities that authentically welcome, listen and respond to the contemporary pastoral and spiritual needs of its members.

The dialogue during these gatherings has underscored a shared commitment to creating a Church community rooted in hope, inclusivity, accountability and collective responsibility. 

Moving Forward

As the Catholic Church in Ireland journeys towards the Pre-Synodal Assembly on 18 October 2025 and beyond we ask all to embrace these insights and the commitments that they call for.  The Archdiocese of Armagh thanks the parishes and individuals who were generous with both their time and reflections and looks forward to continuing the journey of preparation for both the National process and the most importantly our own preparations for the Archdiocese of Armagh’s Congress on Youth, Faith and Family. 

Submission from the Archdiocese of Armagh to the Irish Synodal Pathway

 

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More information on our ongoing National Synodal journey is available at www.icatholic.ie/synod.