Acta missiologica, 2022
The text deals with the current topic of the sixteenth regular assembly of the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church, the first phase of which includes not only the active participation of all Catholic faithful, but is also open to Christians of other churches. The text first shows that the invitation addressed to non-Catholics to participate in the synodal process is based on the ecclesiological foundations established by the Second Vatican Council. In the second part, the article places the synodal process within the framework of Pope Francis' reform efforts, which includes the missionary renewal of the Church and have its important ecumenical impact. The third part deals with the analysis of the character of the synodal process in terms of ecumenical hermeneutics, focusing on its pastoral and spiritual dimension.