The Archdiocese of Durban held its annual Clergy Study Day under the theme of Synodality, led by the Vice Chairperson of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Commission for Synodality.

Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa, who represented the SACBC at the Synod Assemblies in Rome in October 2023 and October 2024, presented an overview of the synodal journey from 2021 to 2024. His presentation highlighted the recommendations of the Synod Assembly, the current implementation phase, and the publication of the Pathways document, which will guide the Church from 2025 to 2028, leading up to the Ecclesial Assembly to be held in the Vatican in 2028.

In his Wednesday, August 20, address, the member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill (CMM) emphasized the essence of a synodal Church, underlining co-responsibility, shared decision-making processes, and the active participation of all the baptized. He drew particular attention to the role of bishops, clergy, and laity, the participation of youth and women, the recognition of consecrated women, including their right to just remuneration, and the importance of fostering authentic communion in the Church.

Present at the Study Day were Archbishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara CMM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Durban, Auxiliary Bishop Elias Zondi, members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, as well as clergy and religious from across the Archdiocese.

A total of three bishops, seventy-four priests, sixteen deacons, one religious brother, and six lay participants took part. The participants were divided into groups and engaged in discussions using the Conversation in the Spirit methodology.

The group discussions were guided by six key areas drawn from the Synod’s Final Document:

• Making synodality a “way of life” for the Church in the Archdiocese of Durban;
• Ensuring decision-making is transparent, inclusive, and accountable;
• Enhancing participation of women, youth, families, consecrated persons, and marginalized groups;
• Encouraging the exchange of gifts and resources between parishes;
• Forming and accompanying “digital missionaries” for evangelization;
• Promoting ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.

Participants were also encouraged to study the 54-page Final Document of the XVI Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and Pope Francis’s May 2024 letter to parish priests, available on the Vatican website.

The day marked an important step in deepening the Archdiocese’s commitment to synodality, ensuring that the spirit of communion, participation, and mission continues to shape the life of the Church in Durban and beyond.