The Synod's continental stage for 2021-2024 has come to a close, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has released the final document for North America, noting "important step."

“This document is an important step in our commitment to become a more synodal Church,” said Daniel Flores, chairman of the USCCB’s committee on doctrine, in a statement. “While we await the next steps of the formal process to be carried out in Rome, we have an opportunity to make synodality truly present among us here in North America.” 

The Continental Stage of the Synod, initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021, began in late 2022 and has concluded for North America. 

During this stage, 931 delegates and 146 bishops from Canada and the United States participated in 12 virtual assemblies to discuss their thoughts on the Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) issued by the Holy See's General Secretariat of the Synod in October 2022, the USCCB said.

“We invite you to discern prayerfully the joys, laments and tensions raised in this final document and discern together how you can make present the first fruits of synodality in your local community,” Flores said.

The Final Document for North America is accessible in English, Spanish and French. It was created by the North American writing team, which incorporated the delegates' reflections. 

In June 2023, the General Secretariat of the Synod will release the Instrumentum Laboris. It will be based on the Final Document from North America, as well as contributions from the six other continental assemblies, the bishops’ release said.

The "Synod on Synodality," which began in October 2021, has been extended by Pope Francis until October 2024. This decision was made to allow more time for reflection and discernment from both the local and universal Church. 

The Universal Phase of the Synod will be held in two parts, first in October 2023 and the second in October 2024, the USCCB added.