Many things are up for discussion next month at the Synod on Synodality, but one very important thing that seems likely not to be on the agenda is: What does “synodality” mean? The term has taken on an almost magical quality in the past year. A “synodal” Church, we have been told, will be forward-looking, energetic, compassionate, responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. That all sounds good. But what is a “synodal” Church? What does the term mean?