Indiana diocese holds first synod in a century at Notre Dame

For the first time in a century, the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend held a diocesan synod at the University of Notre Dame Oct. 31–Nov. 1, bringing together clergy, religious, and laypeople to discuss priorities for the local Church.

The synod focused on five priorities: evangelization, catechesis, spiritual and liturgical life, vocations, and outreach, according to a Nov. 4 report by The Irish Rover, the university’s student newspaper.

The Irish Rover described a synod as an advisory gathering of clergy, religious, and laypeople who meet to pray, reflect, and discuss ways to help Church leaders address pastoral concerns.

Bishop Kevin Rhoades formally called the synod in September 2025, inviting parishes across the diocese to help prepare for the gathering.

Jennifer Newsome Martin, Notre Dame professor and director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, was among the 158 delegates who participated in the first gathering.

“I was struck this weekend by the theological depth and richness of the synod framing, the sense of camaraderie across difference, and the kindness both in how people spoke and listened attentively to one another,” Martin told The Irish Rover.

Martin also noted that many delegates expressed a desire to recover “ancient spiritual practices” to deepen their interior lives and their encounter with Christ in the liturgy.

Delegates will meet again Nov. 20–21 in Fort Wayne to vote on recommendations prepared by Bishop Rhoades, who will consider their responses in developing a final diocesan plan.

Notre Dame senior Ryan Norden, who participated in the diocese's earlier consultation with college students, also served as a delegate.

“Synods can receive bad media, have negative connotations, or be misconstrued by those inside and outside,” Norden told The Irish Rover. “This synod, in my experience, can only be viewed positively. It successfully gathered diverse voices from across the diocese to explicitly discuss how we can all be better disciples of Christ and steward our influence in helpful ways.”

Norden also said the synod encouraged parish discussions and brought Catholics together to renew the Church.

He said, “I think that this event could be beneficial for many dioceses to take up, and Fort Wayne-South Bend is a model for what successful synodality looks like.”