Diocesan Report for Vatican Synod released

AS part of the journey towards the XVI Ordinary Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2023, a report from the Diocese of Townsville has been finalised and published.

Catholic Dioceses across Australia have also prepared reports as their contribution to the global Synod.

These reports will shape the development of a national synthesis to be sent to the Holy

See, and also discussed with the Bishops of Oceania. Synod means ‘journeying together’ and Pope Francis has made the theme about synodality itself’ – how are we practising it and how can we do it better? Furthermore, he delayed the Synod gathering in Rome for a year so that the people of

Catholic Dioceses around the world could have their input.

Director, Diocesan Mission Services Geoff Gowdie said: “The content for the local report was able to draw on the responses that were submitted through the national synod portal, as well as reflections from hundreds of people around the Diocese that arose as part of our own Diocesan ‘synodal’ events: the Becoming New in Christ renewal commencing in 2021, the responses to Australia’s Plenary Council Listening and Dialogue phase in 2018-19, and the engagement with young people in the Bishop’s Youth Ambassador’s

Forums in 2020. The conversations were rich and provided a snapshot of where the Diocese was at, how we are moving to become a more mission-focused Church in the 21st Century.”

The report has been published on the Diocesan website and copies circulated to Priests

and Pastoral Councils. A copy can be downloaded from www. tsv. catholic. org. au/ becomingnewinchrist

Based on the diocesan reports, the National Centre for Pastoral Research will prepare a national synthesis that has been finalised during a process across three sessions. The Church in Australia will provide its consolidated report to the Holy See in August.