Compiling the contributions of twelve authors from different theological and pastoral disciplines and from five continents can be a risky undertaking. It can also be a fruitful one, especially in light of the discussions going on around reform in the Catholic Church. The book’s diversity is also its strength. Reform, after all, connotes different things to different people at different periods in their life stories and places in their world. The meaning of reform is always contextual and the Synod is the overarching context of this present discussion. Toward this end, the book begins with C. Bellitto’s historical exploration of synodality not as a novum but as a practice belonging to the historical fabric of the Church. Reform, like motherhood, can be a label that wraps partisan thinking in the cloak of truth. S. Blanchard details the need for discernment between true and false reform in the next essay, with a heavy reliance on Yves Congar’s ground-breaking research on this topic.

Marmion reviews the International Theological Commission’s work on synodality (2018) exposing for readers its theological foundations. Attention moves to the implications of synodality for a paradigm shift in Catholic culture in an insightful discussion on the appointing of bishops. The focus then shifts to implementing synodality (M. Faggioli). R. Luciani supplies critical detail to the language and paradigms that blur the role of the laity in the process of co-responsibility. The next chapters offer nuance to the understanding of reform and practice of synodality from the experiences of the Church in Australian (V. Long), India (F. Gonsalves), Latin America (P. Trigo), and Germany (J. Knop).

Perhaps the most original contributions are found in the closing chapters on the ethics of reform. Ethical goals must be pursued ethically. A. Desmazieres and E. Regan provide an ethical perspective that has to be kept in mind in moving forward. In a brief epilogue, K. Colberg reminds the reader that “ecclesial reform is perennially difficult” and that what is theologically lucid and compelling remains a human process. She urges sustained commitment to the actual process of the Synod on Synodality—still a work in progress.

While the book and its multiple perspectives is a rich source of information and understanding of reform, its theological language and concrete examples will make more sense to Catholics already involved in the process of synodality. While not overly technical, the theological language will undoubtedly prove a challenge for Catholics trying to move into that process. It is a must-read for pastors and pastoral workers responsible for guiding the next set of consultations on the synodal path.