The journey towards the celebration of the Synod opened in October 2021 in dioceses around the world and Pope Francis has invited the entire Church to reflect on this theme that is decisive for its life and mission. All Catholics are invited to take part in the diocesan consultation process to promote a sense of communion and journeying together.
Towards the end of 2021 the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle ran some information sessions about how to be involved and pointed people to the Australian website - https://www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch
Australian Diocesan Consultation Phase (October 2021-April 2022)
The fundamental question that guides this consultation of the People of God is the following: A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together:” How is this “journeying together” happening today in your particular Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”?
In order to respond, you are invited to read and reflect on the questions in the material provided and submit your response. You can contribute as a group or as an individual.
Contributing as a group
Reflecting on Synodality as a group is the best way to journey together. Contact your parish/diocese to find out how you can join a group. Or, get together with friends and family to form your own group! You may even want to consider reaching out to others beyond your parish community and invite them to take part. Their voice matters too!
Submit your response by 27 February
Submissions of your or your group’s reflection of 250 words or less can be made through a portal on the website - https://www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch
If you would like to make a larger submission, please send it directly to your diocese. The individual and group responses will be sent to your diocese to form part of the diocesan contribution to the Synod of Bishops.
Diocesan Submission
Each Diocese from across Australia will be asked to put in a submission which will assist in an Australian synthesis which will be sent to the Secretariat of Synod of Bishops.
