The Diocese of Mariannhill has taken a significant step forward in the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality, joining dioceses across the region in responding to Pope Francis’s call for a Church that journeys together in communion, participation, and mission.

Held on October 15 at Coolock House in KwaZulu-Natal, the session brought together over 50 priests, transitional deacons, and members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council under the leadership of Bishop Neil Augustine Frank OMI. Also in attendance were Bishop Emeritus Pius Mlungisi Dlungwane and the diocesan coordinator for the implementation of synodality, Fr Xolani Kunene.

The gathering formed part of the clergy’s annual study week, which Vicar General, Fr Thanduxolo Mbhele, described as “a beautiful week of renewal and grace.”

“These have been beautiful days of renewal. We started with the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program, which is crucial for our pastoral ministry, and then today was what we’ll call a highlight of this week. We were animated by Ms. Sheila from SACBC on synodality,” said Fr. Mbhele about the session, which was facilitated by the Secretary for the Commission for Information of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Sheila Leocádia Pires.

Since the establishment of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) Commission for the Implementation of Synodality in March 2025, the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, Archbishop Dabula Mpako and Bishop Thulani Mbuyisa CMM, respectively, have led similar sessions in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Kokstad, and at seminaries such as St John Vianney and St Joseph’s Theological Institute, as well as during the 14th Plenary Assembly of the Interreligious Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) held in Eswatini.

On her part, Pires has also led workshops on synodality for rectors of major seminaries in Southern Africa, for third-year theology seminarians of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé, and for SACBC young adults during their first conference held in September 2025. She has further engaged with African Catholic journalists during the African Catholic Union of the Press (UCAP) congress in Accra, Ghana, in August 2025, highlighting the importance of synodal communication and shared mission in the Church’s evangelizing work.

At the invitation of Bishop Frank OMI, the Mariannhill session centred on Synodal Priesthood, Co-responsibility, Accountability, Transparency, and the Participation of All the Baptised. In her presentation, Pires reminded participants that the implementation phase is not about adding structures but about embracing a synodal mindset.

“The call,” she explained, “is to build a culture of listening, dialogue, and shared responsibility — where every voice of the baptised counts,” Fr Mbhele explained.

For Fr Mbhele, this message resonated deeply. “It’s been a beautiful day, really an eye-opener,” he reflected. “Of course, synodality is a buzzword, but it was nice to sit down and be workshopped on this. We are ready to go back to our parishes and implement it further,” he added.

After the presentation, the clergy and laity broke into five groups according to the Mariannhill Diocese’s five deaneries: Umhlathuzana, Umlazi, Ugu, Ixopo, and Ukhahlamba. They reflected on questions such as, “What defines an ideal synodal priest?” How can I become more synodal? How can our parish and pastoral councils embody synodality more fully?

Each group presented their conclusions in plenary, with Fr Kunene tasked to compile them into a diocesan guide for implementing synodality in Mariannhill Diocese.

As the study week concluded with a general meeting and shared Eucharist, the atmosphere was one of renewed energy and unity. “The atmosphere is excellent, the presenters were outstanding, and everyone feels renewed,” said Fr Mbhele.

The Mariannhill Diocese now looks ahead to translating these reflections into pastoral action, fostering a Church that listens, collaborates, and journeys together in faith. The session stands as a tangible example of how the SACBC’s implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality is taking root across Southern Africa, embodying the spirit of a Church that truly walks together.

According to the Vice Chairperson of the SACBC Commission for the Implementation of Synodality, Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM, Eshowe Diocese and Port Elizabeth Diocese will hold workshops on synodality in the coming months.