Invitation and Registration
Shaping Synodality in Europe
From Vision to Roadmap
14–17 September 2026
Bildungshaus Schloss Puchberg (Wels, Austria)
Under the patronage of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE)
The conference is fully booked, and registration is now closed.
In the midst of the worldwide Implementation Phase of the Synod (2025-2028), Europe, too, sets a sign of the synodal journey. You are warmly invited to a gathering that will be more than a conference – it will stand as a milestone for the local Churches of Europe. This symposium marks an important step on the road toward the European Ecclesial Assembly in the spring of 2028, which will in turn precede the worldwide Ecclesial Assembly in October of the same year.
Organized under the patronage of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), in cooperation with the Research Group of the Department for Synodality at the Catholic Private University Linz and the European Taskforce of the CCEE, the symposium opens a shared space of encounter, inviting us to give more concrete shape to the synodal journey in Europe. Your expertise, your stories, and your hope will become sources of mutual exchange – of sharing experiences, learning together, and deepening our common path.
Our common journey unfolds along a clear and life-giving path: from the spiritual source, through the rugged realities of our continent, toward the concrete form of a Church that courageously embraces her mission. We envision a missionary Church that goes beyond herself – a Church that sees where others look away and listens where others fall silent.
I. Liturgy: Embracing the World (14 September, starting at 15:00 H)
Everything begins with a fundamental attitude: In the liturgy, we celebrate that God speaks to humanity as friends, entering into our lives and drawing us into relationship with himself. Such friendship calls us not to withdraw, but to embrace the world God has created. When God turns toward the world, reality does not recede but comes near. In this light, we discover Baptism not merely as a rite of initiation, but as an empowerment to share in this divine embrace. We seek a liturgical practice that breathes this expansiveness and allows us to see the world through the loving eyes of God.
II. Transforming Europe: Listening to the Life of Our Continent (15 September)
Embracing the world we inhabit, we choose to face the European context with hope. We contemplate its realities – its rich cultural heritage alongside its wounds and challenges. We regard Europe as the cherished landscape where our shared life takes on meaning. A synodal Church does not turn away from conflict; it becomes a space of hope and attentive listening precisely where the divides run deepest.
III. Transforming the Church: Giving Shape to Mission (16 September)
How can such an attitude become a lasting way of life? We are learning to be a Church that consistently draws its missionary impulse from a baptismal ecclesiology. This is not about cosmetic adjustments to structures, but about embodying the form of ecclesial life envisioned by Vatican II. What do ministries look like that truly serve? What paths of discernment take every baptized person seriously? We shape structures not as ends in themselves, but as instruments that open spaces for living the missionary vision of Baptism in today’s Europe.
The symposium will conclude on 17 September with breakfast.
Our Goal:
Three days – a shared journey unfolding from celebrating the nearness of God to embracing the nearness of the world, and from there to shaping a synodal Church alive in mission. Together, let us chart this roadmap for synodality in Europe – a path of faith, courage, and hope.
We look forward to welcoming you in Wels (Austria).
MONDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER
Transforming the Word: Baptism as the Source of the Synodalization of a Church that Transforms
Individual arrival of participants. The addresses of the accommodations will be communicated in July.
14:30 – Arrival
Finger food, refreshments, coffee
Moderation of the Day: Klara Csiszar (Austria/Romania) & Cardinal Ladislav Nemet (CCEE/Serbia)
16:00 – Welcome and Opening Ceremony
16:20 – Thematic Introductions
- Predrag Bukovec (Croatia/Austria) – Liturgy, Baptism & Synodality
- Xenia Sereghy (Hungary/Austria) – Ritual Diversity & Oriental Churches
- Robert Svatoň (Czech Republic) – The Common Path of all Christians
17:00 – Conversations in the Spirit
18:00 – Break
18:30 – Meditation with Pope Benedict XVI
- Paul Michael Zulehner (Austria)
18:45 – Preparation for Holy Mass
19:00 – Holy Mass
20:10 – Announcements
20:15 – Opening Reception
21:40 – Bus Departure to the Hotels
TUESDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER
Transforming Europe: How do we live the Gospel in today's Europe?
07:30 – Bus Departure from the Hotels to Schloss Puchberg
Moderation of the Day: Gabriele Eder-Cakl (Austria) & Geert De Cubber (Belgium)
08:00 – Holy Mass
09:00 – Sharing: my Personal Perspective on Europe
09:15 – KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
- Tomáš Halík (Czech Republic): Listening to Europe
Gabriele Eder-Cakl: Best Practices on Listening to Europe
10:15 – Europe's Key Issues Today
- Statements from the Regions
10:45 – Break
11:15 – Conversation on the Tables on Europe's Key Issues
- Participants choose workshops by theme
12:00 – Lunch
14:15 – Collecting Insights from the Workshops
- Brief feedback from each workshop group
14:45 – Conversations in the Spirit
- Living the Gospel Today in Europe
15:45 – Break
16:15 – Fishbowl: Stop or Go – When and Why?
- What should stop in Europe? What should continue?
17:15 – How Europe Sounds When We Sing/Pray Together
- Common singing, prayers, blessings
18:00 – Dinner
20:00 – Bus Departure to the Hotels
WEDNESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER
Transforming the Church: What is being transformed in the Church when the true equality in dignity and activity of all the baptized is lived?
08:30 – Bus Departure from the Hotels to Schloss Puchberg
Moderation of the Day: Anna Hennersperger (Austria) & Csaba Török (Hungary)
09:00 – Prayer: Baptism and Equality
- Led by a delegation
09:15 – KEYNOTE
- Christoph Theobald SJ (France): Baptismal Existence and Baptismal Ecclesiology
10:00 – Questions from the Audience
10:15 – Break
10:45 – Conversations in the Spirit
- On the Baptismal Existence
12:00 – Preparation for Holy Mass
12:15 – HOLY MASS
13:00 – Lunch
15:00 – KEYNOTE
- Myriam Wijlens (Netherlands/Germany): Baptismal Ecclesiology and Structures that Sustain
15:45 – Conversations in the Spirit
- On Structures that Sustain
17:00 – Break
17:30 – Fishbowl
- What am I Taking Home – What has Changed within Me?
18:30 – CONCLUDING REMARKS: Review with Insights
- Klara Csiszar (Austria/Romania) & Cardinal Ladislav Nemet (CCEE/Serbia): Presentation of collected insights and roadmap
19:15 – Prayer with Blessing
19:30 – Gala Dinner
21:30 – Bus Departure
THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER
Departure with God's Blessing
Living the Transforming Power of the Gospel in Today's Europe
06:30 – Breakfast at Hotels / 07:00 at Conference Venue
Individual Departure of Participants
09:00–11:00 – Evaluation Meeting of the Research Group with the Task Force
PDF document (EN-DE-FR-IT): Directions to the Bildungshaus Schloss Puchberg
Address:
Bildungshaus Schloss Puchberg
Puchberg 1 – 4600 Wels – Austria
By car:
- From Vienna: Take the A1 motorway towards Linz and follow the signs to Wels. Take the exit Wels‐West and drive towards the city center. Follow the signs to Schloss Puchberg.
- From Salzburg: Take the A1 motorway towards Vienna. Take the exit Wels‐West and follow the directions as described above.
By public transport:
- Train: Wels is easily accessible by train. From Wels main railway station, you can take a taxi to Schloss Puchberg or use the local bus services.
- Bus: Local bus lines offer regular connections to the educational center. Information on routes and schedules can be found on the Wels Linien website.
Parking facilities:
- Ample parking spaces are available directly at the educational center.
Accessibility:
- The Schloss Puchberg educational center is committed to making access and stays as comfortable as possible for all visitors. Most areas are accessible without barriers.
For detailed information and special requests, please contact us at contact[at]bildungshaus-puchberg.at or by phone at +43 7242 47537.
We look forward to your visit!
Languages:
The conference languages are English, German, Italian, and French. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
Costs:
The participation fee is €350 per person. This fee includes full participation in the symposium, accommodation for three nights (14–17 September 2026), full board, translation services, and related costs.
Please note that the dynamic and process of the conference require full participation throughout the entire event. Hence shortened attendance cannot be considered.
Additional Nights:
Any additional nights must be paid individually and directly to the Bildungshaus. However, we will gladly take care of the reservation for you upon request.
Registration & Deadlines:
Priority Registration for Bishops' Conferences: Open until 1 April 2026.
Each Bishops' Conference is invited to send up to 4 delegates.
Open Registration:
After 1 April 2026, registration will be opened to members of the diocesan and national teams, subject to availability. Please note that, for organizational reasons, we will close the registration process no later than 1 May.
The conference is fully booked, and registration is now closed.
Please note that the information regarding registration in these invitations is outdated, as registration has already closed.
Vous trouverez ici l’invitation en français.
For all questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at synod[at]ku-linz.at. From 1 March 2026, our secretariat will be at your disposal for any enquiries.
CCEE und KU Logos
