As a way of introduction, the Document (released 07 September 2021) says Pope Francis invites the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission because “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium”. This is what Pope Francis had said in his address for the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops.

How does this synodality “journeying together,” which takes place today on different levels
(from the local level to the universal one) allow the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the mission entrusted to Her? That is what the document says is a basic question prompts and guides the Church. And the answer to that, says the document, requires listening to the Holy Spirit together.

It is mentioned that this Preparatory Document is at the service of the synodal journey, especially as a tool to facilitate the first phase of listening to and consulting the People of God in the particular Churches, outlining some prominent characteristics of the contemporary context and other points.

The preparatory document says it is within the folds of the complexity of this context (epochal changes in society) in its tensions and contradictions, that we are called to “scrutinize the signs of the times and interpret them in the light of the Gospel”.

It is impossible to think of “a conversion of our activity as a Church that does not include
the active participation of all the members of God’s People:”

The rest of the preparatory document can be found here.