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Listening Together: Meditations on Synodality
The full collection of conference talks from Pope Francis’s appointed retreat master, Timothy Radcliffe, heard first during the historic October 2023 General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality. The Synod on Synodality held in Rome in October 2023, gathered Catholics from all over the world to listen, pray, and reflect on a new way of being church. Dominican priest Timothy Radcliffe, the official retreat master and spiritual advisor for this assembly, was appointed by Pope Francis to deliver a series of retreat talks and meditations to the delegates during the assembly of the Synod on Synodality. Those talks are offered here, as well as Radcliffe’s further reflections on our current challenges and where we could be headed as a church. He then provides a specific Dominican experience as an example of synodality-in-action.
In Listening Together, Radcliffe’s words not only set the spirit for the historic synod gathering, but now, in written form, they open the possibility for individuals or groups to read and continue to reflect on this synodal journey we all share. Listening Together serves as a powerful reminder of the themes of enduring relevance included in Radcliffe’s retreat talks and synod meditations. In entertaining and engaging prose, Radcliffe’s reflections encourage readers to think about conflicting hopes; different visions of the church as home; the need for unity; friendship; and above all, the importance of listening, discernment, and mission as a means for this synodal journey to continue to succeed. In these pages, Radcliffe offers a “spirituality of listening” that can take us forward together on a journey of discovery and communion.
In Listening Together, Radcliffe’s words not only set the spirit for the historic synod gathering, but now, in written form, they open the possibility for individuals or groups to read and continue to reflect on this synodal journey we all share. Listening Together serves as a powerful reminder of the themes of enduring relevance included in Radcliffe’s retreat talks and synod meditations. In entertaining and engaging prose, Radcliffe’s reflections encourage readers to think about conflicting hopes; different visions of the church as home; the need for unity; friendship; and above all, the importance of listening, discernment, and mission as a means for this synodal journey to continue to succeed. In these pages, Radcliffe offers a “spirituality of listening” that can take us forward together on a journey of discovery and communion.
200 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2024
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About the author
Timothy Radcliffe
94 books36 followersCardinal Timothy Radcliffe, a former Master of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), is a well-known progressive theologian whose views on some of the Church’s moral teachings, particularly homosexuality, have caused considerable controversy.
Born on August 22, 1945, Radcliffe is one of six children who had a privileged upbringing: on his father’s side he descends from an Anglican clergyman whose own father had been raised to a baronetcy in the 19th century, adopting the name Radcliffe. He joined the English Province of the Dominican Order in 1965 and was ordained priest in 1971. He studied at Blackfriars College and St. John’s College in Oxford, as well as in Paris under noted French theologian Yves Congar, a proponent of the contested Nouvelle Théologie liberal movement. In October 2023 and at the Pope’s invitation, Radcliffe offered spiritual reflections to members of the Synod on Synodality, beginning with a pre-synod retreat. At the synod’s second and final Rome meeting in October 2024, Radcliffe was given an expanded role, offering spiritual reflections throughout much of the month-long meeting as well as at a retreat before the assembly began. He spoke, among other topics, on the importance of listening and dialogue, being open to God’s Providence, and cautioning against fear-driven decision-making, whether fear of change or fear of staying the same.
After Pope Francis announced in October 2024 he would elevate Father Radcliffe to the College of Cardinals, Radcliffe requested an exemption from dressing like a cardinal which the Pope granted in “full understanding,” freeing him “from using such elaborate clothing.”
Born on August 22, 1945, Radcliffe is one of six children who had a privileged upbringing: on his father’s side he descends from an Anglican clergyman whose own father had been raised to a baronetcy in the 19th century, adopting the name Radcliffe. He joined the English Province of the Dominican Order in 1965 and was ordained priest in 1971. He studied at Blackfriars College and St. John’s College in Oxford, as well as in Paris under noted French theologian Yves Congar, a proponent of the contested Nouvelle Théologie liberal movement. In October 2023 and at the Pope’s invitation, Radcliffe offered spiritual reflections to members of the Synod on Synodality, beginning with a pre-synod retreat. At the synod’s second and final Rome meeting in October 2024, Radcliffe was given an expanded role, offering spiritual reflections throughout much of the month-long meeting as well as at a retreat before the assembly began. He spoke, among other topics, on the importance of listening and dialogue, being open to God’s Providence, and cautioning against fear-driven decision-making, whether fear of change or fear of staying the same.
After Pope Francis announced in October 2024 he would elevate Father Radcliffe to the College of Cardinals, Radcliffe requested an exemption from dressing like a cardinal which the Pope granted in “full understanding,” freeing him “from using such elaborate clothing.”
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 20, 2025
Cardinal Radcliffe is one of my favorite spiritual writers and this book was as uplifting and challenging (in a good way!) as expected.
Much of the book consists of addresses and meditations he gave to participants in the 2023 sessions of the Synod on Synodality. The last section is an article Radcliffe wrote exploring lessons the Dominican model of governance might hold for the universal Church.
As always, Cardinal Timothy exudes hope - a refreshing perspective in a cynical, sometimes hopeless time. In this Jubilee year of Hope, this book both calls me to a more hopeful stance and to examine my tendency to hold tight to my own perspective and work to become a better listener, more curious about ideas with which i disagree.
Much of the book consists of addresses and meditations he gave to participants in the 2023 sessions of the Synod on Synodality. The last section is an article Radcliffe wrote exploring lessons the Dominican model of governance might hold for the universal Church.
As always, Cardinal Timothy exudes hope - a refreshing perspective in a cynical, sometimes hopeless time. In this Jubilee year of Hope, this book both calls me to a more hopeful stance and to examine my tendency to hold tight to my own perspective and work to become a better listener, more curious about ideas with which i disagree.
May 28, 2025
Pope Francis called a synod, a church council, in 2021 as a way to bring together all ages and ranks of the church to listen to one another to determine the direction of the church in the 21st century. Radcliffe's meditations were given to the sessions before they sat down to discuss issues facing the church. It is interesting to note that everyone at the table, cardinal, priest and lay person, had to follow the same rules-no one had seniority in these discussions.
Our new pope, Leo XIV, was present for these sessions and has given every indication as he begins his pontificate that he plans to continue this process.
We have much to be hopeful for as we look at the process of Synodality.
Our new pope, Leo XIV, was present for these sessions and has given every indication as he begins his pontificate that he plans to continue this process.
We have much to be hopeful for as we look at the process of Synodality.
April 15, 2024
Goodreads pls upload a cover for this 😂 I read this book because of work and wow, really a powerful read. Good food for the soul in this season of Synodality! This book encouraged me to get off my high horse and listen to the people i’m in community with- a much needed reminder.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews