A Synodal Formation Session of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) was held on Saturday, 17 January 2026, under the guidance of Fr. Peter Mc Isaac. Bringing together diocesan synodal team members from across the region, the session marked another important step in the Conference’s ongoing journey toward becoming a more synodal Church.
The meeting opened with practical arrangements to support smooth participation, including host permissions, cloud recording, and access to shared resources. These preparations reflected the AEC’s commitment to transparency, collaboration, and effective communication in its synodal process.
Fr. Mc Isaac then led participants into a deeper theological and pastoral reflection on Synodality. He emphasized that synodality is not simply about clarifying Church teaching, but about the ongoing renewal of the Church through conversion, participation, and communal discernment. He outlined four key pillars of synodality: the full participation of the baptized, the deepening of spiritual life, the transformation of the Church’s identity and mission, and the strengthening of ecclesial structures and processes.
Drawing on Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, Fr. Mc Isaac explained that synodality invites the Church to listen attentively to the Holy Spirit speaking through all the baptized, while respecting the pastoral leadership of bishops and priests. He clarified that synodality does not replace Church hierarchy with a democratic model, but rather enriches the life of the Church through shared listening, dialogue, and responsibility.
The session also addressed challenges such as clericalism and the need to move away from overly autocratic styles of leadership toward more consultative and transparent approaches. Participants discussed timelines for implementation and the importance of engaging commissions, clergy, and pastoral leaders in the next stages of the synodal journey.
The impact of the session was clearly felt among participants. One diocesan team from the Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana shared that the meeting was “very informative and helpful,” noting that a priest on their team said it helped him understand more clearly what is expected of the synodal team and how synodality will be implemented in practice. Other team members echoed these sentiments, expressing renewed clarity and confidence in their role within the process.
