Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces – Diocesan Synod 2026
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces gathers in prayer, dialogue, and communal discernment for our Diocesan Synod under the themes of Communion, Participation, and Mission. Called by Bishop Peter Baldacchino, this gathering is a direct response to a call from Pope Leo XIV challenging the Church to refocus on the kerygma—the heart of our Christian identity—and the vital transmission of the faith.
Pope Leo’s message calls us to action across three distinct levels:
-
Personal: Inviting every baptized person to transition from a inherited faith to a “faith truly lived and experienced”.
-
Parish: Prompting a shift from simple “maintenance” to active “mission,” creating communities that serve as living agents of the Gospel capable of offering space for listening, accompaniment, and healing.
-
Diocesan: Supporting “missionary boldness” and spiritual discernment to ensure all efforts serve to communicate God’s love to the world.
Rooted in the practice of Spiritual Conversation, clergy and parish leaders will engage in active listening and open dialogue—listening with hearts receptive to the Holy Spirit and speaking sincerely from personal experience. Through shared reflection and prayer, the Synod seeks to discern what is essential to help our parishes renew their encounter with Christ and unite our diocese in a shared vision for the future. Following the conclusion of this gathering, this process of discernment and mission will extend outward into our local parishes for implementation within each community.
