If the idea of this synod is to accompany young people starting with the premise that they need to be guided, taught the catechism of the church, then this will start and finish an epic failure.  I'm not sure of the format, but it would be nice if the bishops had one day where they had to listen to the "average" young person offer what they believe, see, think and act as a catholic. 20 young adults offering 15 minute vignettes about their journey with no judgement.  I wonder if the bishops could actually do that any better than these young people listening to one of the bishop's dry homilies about gays, sex, marriage etc.  There is no relationship with our priests and bishops. We may be sheep, but our clergy are  it shepherds.  This should be a perfect time to understand what our future church could be, but I'm afraid it will once again just end with a nod and restating what the church is, was and always will be....out of touch with the people.