Why the Jesuits are going all in on training Catholics for synodality

The Society of Jesus has started an ambitious transcontinental project linked to synodality. Its aim is to form diocesan priests, women and men religious and lay people in countries across the globe to accompany the discernment processes in the synodal journey of local churches.
Arturo Sosa, S.J., the superior general of the Jesuits, has commissioned John Dardis, S.J., an Irish-born Jesuit living at the Jesuit headquarters in Rome, to oversee this project. Recently, I sat down with Father Dardis to learn about this initiative.
“The origins of this project go back to the synodal process [2021-25], when we were getting many requests to facilitate meetings to help people discern and do spiritual conversation,” Father Dardis recalled.
“We realized there was a big need for people who can facilitate these processes,” he said. “There was a growing demand, and not a sufficient supply of skilled people who could do the facilitation and bring a group along because a group just can’t start and …