The current synod in Rome is part of a much longer process of discernment that will eventually affect every Catholic diocese in the world. It is part of an effort to listen to the People of God and see where the Holy Spirit might be leading the Church.
The preparatory document of the synod explains that this is designed to evaluate the "sensus fidei" of the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this complex teaching.
It's important to note that this is a unique universal assent that recognizes a belief in which all the baptized faithful are in agreement.
Pope Benedict XVI explained two such examples in the history of the Church in a general audience in 2010.
Essentially this means that at times the People of God, both lay and ordained, could have a better "sense of the faith" than theologians, and articulate a belief that is part of the Gospel message.
However, it's important to note that this is not a democratic vote, where the Church polls the faithful and sees what teachings to hold onto and which to discard.
It is a complex discernment process where the bishops, in consultation with the faithful, arrive at the same conclusion together.
From 2009-2014, the Vatican International Theological Commission studied the sensus fidei and developed a complete document that lays out the history of this belief, as well as criteria for "authentic participation" in the sensus fidei.
The Commission concluded that the sensus fidei is not open to simply everyone with an opinion, but must be accompanied by participation in the Church's life and an adherence to the magisterial teachings of the Church.
As the Synod progresses to the diocesesan phase, it is important to know that the Church will be listening to the whispers of the Holy Spirit and evaluating the sensus fidei.
