What we want to do
The project wants to strengthen lay co-responsibility in the synodal Church, in the Europe-Mediterranean region.
In practice: to support Catholic Action in 12 European countries in forming their own lay leaders, so that they can bring their contribution to the life of the local Church more effectively.
Three concrete things:
- Take real part in the participatory bodies of the local Church
- Encourage the meeting between different cultures in everyday life
- Integrate safeguarding into the life of the association
All of this during the phase of applying the final document of the 2024 Synod on Synodality, towards the next steps (2027–2028).
How much do you know about the Synod?
Ten questions on synodality, the 2024 Synod and what comes next. One correct answer each. No preparation needed, just curiosity.
About 5 minutes. At the end you can share your score and invite someone else to try.
Who takes part
4 lead member countries: Catholic Action Italy, Catholic Action Spain, Catholic Action Malta, Catholic Action Romania
Together with 8 further participating countries (FIAC members and observers) across Europe and the Mediterranean.
How we do it
- Materials and tools Guides and a training toolkit, translated into several languages.
- Training the leaders Around 200 lay leaders from the 12 countries.
- We organise meetings One large conference in Rome (October 2026) and several meetings, online and in person, during 2027.
- We spread the formation locally The leaders who are trained involve another 1,000 people in their own parishes and dioceses.
- We build a lasting network A permanent link between the countries, also after the project ends, so the work can continue together.
When
2026
- June We start. The coordination group is formed and we take stock of the situation in the 12 countries.
- September Guides and toolkit ready in at least 5 languages.
- October International Conference in Rome.
- November & December The formation reaches parishes and dioceses.
2027
- January&February The formation reaches parishes and dioceses.
- March – We look together at what is working and what is not.
- Euro-Mediterranean meeting, in person.
- December Final report
What remains after
The guides and the toolkit, free for any national association to use.
The network between the countries, which keeps meeting when the project is over.
The leaders who were trained, who stay in their associations and their communities.
Who is behind it
The project is promoted by International Forum of Catholic Action (FIAC), born in 1987 during the Synod of Bishops on the Laity and recognised by the Holy See, present in 70 countries.
With the collaboration of Fondation Catholic Action School of Sanctity, Istituto Vittorio Bachelet, Istituto Giuseppe Toniolo.
Three questions that guide us
- Does formation at European level really change the way people work in parishes?
- Why does synodality take root in some places and not in others?
- How do you make safeguarding become real practice in associations made of volunteers?