The Synodal Process in the Dock: A Thematic Analysis of Grey Literature

Abstract

This article aimed to describe the contours of the current discourse on the synodal process from the perspectives of journalists. To achieve this goal, we collected a large sample of grey literature (N= 235) from six online Catholic newspapers. The common ground unraveled by this study can lead to a fusion of horizons between the opposing sides on how and why the synodal process may allow the church to initiate needed structural reforms and create a synodal culture.

Keywords

• Roman Catholic Church
• Pope Francis
• Reception
• Synodal Process
• Thematic Analysis