London, Ontario – Pope Francis has selected Linda Staudt, a resident of Windsor, as a voting lay participant at the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome this October. Linda is one of seven lay people from North America to receive this appointment. She was nominated by Bishop Fabbro to be a participant based on her extensive knowledge of the Synod, her service to the diocese and track record as a leader in Catholic education.
The meetings in Rome this October are the first of two sessions of the Synod of Bishops. Participants will gather to refine what it means to be a listening Church, help define our future path and the steps we will take based on the Synod’s themes of Communion, Participation and Mission. “Synodal” and “synodality” can be defined as the involvement and participation of the People of God in the life of the Church, listening to each other prayerfully and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis made the decision that up to 25% of the members of the Synod’s Assembly will be non-bishops, reinforcing that this Synod is for the all the people. Many lay people led the consultation phases of the Synod. The lay participants at the Synod are a powerful sign of that process and strengthens the consultative nature of the Church.
At the launch of the Synod in 2021, Pope Francis said: “We recall that the purpose of the Synod is not to produce documents, but to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.”
Quotes Linda Staudt: “When the announcement was made in late April by the Holy Father that lay people would be participating as voting members, my first reaction was ‘the tent has truly expanded.’ At the time, I never imaged that I would be one of those lay persons. I am deeply honoured and humbled on first being nominated by Bishop Fabbro and then selected by Pope Francis To experience firsthand ‘up close and personal’ this synodal journey of the Church, is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s not the October I had planned!”
Bishop Fabbro: “The selection of Linda to serve as a lay participant at the Synod of Bishops is a great honour for our diocese. Over the years, Linda has been given a lot of responsibility, and she has always responded with faithful service. She is leading our diocese and parishes to practise synodality. She is a bridge-builder who promotes co-responsible leadership. She empowers others who are working to bring people together to find collaborative solutions. Linda has been a leader in the synodal work of the Diocese of London and the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario. Her contribution to our diocese and our Church is exemplary.”
About Linda Staudt Linda has a long history in leadership positions in Catholic education in Ontario and was the Director of Education for the London District Catholic School Board from 2013 until she retired in 2021. She is an active parishioner and is the Diocesan Synod Committee Co-Chair and Director of Safe Environment Services. She was the Chair and Lead Writer of the Synod Synthesis Team for the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario and presented the Ontario synthesis to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2022.
About the Synod Pope Francis convened the whole Church in October 2021 to ask us to consider how we journey together to proclaim the Gospel. Phase one of the process was consultation at the local, regional, national and continental levels and is now complete. Phase two will be two sessions of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023 and now extended to October 2024. This synod is about the concept synodality itself, an ancient practice that means ‘journeying together’ that traces its roots back to the earliest days of the Church. This Synod will determine how we walk together as the people of God, listen to each other and prayerfully explore what steps the Holy Spirit invites us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church.
About the Diocese of London Founded in 1856, the Roman Catholic Diocese of London serves an estimated 440,000 Catholics in nine Southwestern Ontario counties. The Diocese currently comprises over 100 parishes and Catholic Communities ranging from Windsor to Woodstock and from Goderich to Port Dover. The Bishop of the Diocese of London is the Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, CSB. For more information please visit www.dol.ca.
Media contact Matthew Clarke, Director of Communications T: 519-433-0658 ext. 263 M: 519-494-4086 mclarke@dol.ca