SYNOD ON SYNODALITY- What we can hope for and expect from the Synod

The focus of this webinar was to discuss the state of play since the first Assembly and the lead up to the second Assembly in October 2024.

Joining us was Bishop Vincent Long who held a Diocesan Synod in the Parramatta Diocese in 2023 and Dr Sandie Cornish who attended the first Synod Assembly in October 2023 as an Expert Adviser and Facilitator and will return to Rome for the second Assembly in October this year. 

Each shared and explored their lived experience of a Diocesan Synod and a Universal Synod. 

Bishop Long said of his Diocesan Syndod, ‘This synod has been much more than an event. It is a template and a model for engagement, discernment and decision-making process. More than a destination that says we have arrived, it is a journey of ongoing learning, openness and alignment with the Spirit. So as we conclude, we feel energised to begin again. May we go forth into our various environments and become agents of synodality, enabling our families, schools, parishes, agencies to become a community of mutual empowerment.’

A recording of the event can be viewed below. 

SPEAKERS 

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv 
Bishop Vincent came to Australia as a refugee. He is the first Vietnamese-born bishop to lead a diocese outside of Vietnam and the first Vietnamese-born bishop in Australia. Ordained in 1985. He was Australian leader of his order from 2005 and Assistant-General in Rome from 2008 to 2011. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop in Melbourne in 2011 and Bishop of Parramatta in 2016. 

Dr Sandie Cornish
Sandie is a Senior Lecturer at the Australian Catholic University (ACU), specialising in Catholic Social Teaching. She is a member of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development. Sandie has been Director of the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Director of Quality and Community Engagement for the Sydney College of Divinity, Province Director of Mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart in Australia and New Zealand, and has worked with the Good Shepherd Sisters in research and social policy. As the Social Justice Education Coordinator for the Diocese of Broken Bay, she had responsibility for the coordination of adult faith programs in social justice.

MODERATOR

Dr Patricia Hindmarsh
Trish has been a leader in Concerned Catholics Tasmania (CCT) since its formation in 2019. She was Director of Catholic Education Tasmania from 2009 to 2014. 

RESPONDER

Assoc Prof Maeve Louise Heaney VDMF
Maeve Louise is the Director of the Xavier Centre for Theological Formation at Australian Catholic University, and a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy. Born in Dublin, Ireland, she is a consecrated missionary of a Catholic Institute for consecrated life, the Verbum Dei Community.
I enjoy working with people who are thirsty for meaning and inquisitive about life; people who want to grow in their understanding of faith and the life it leads us to live; Christians who would like to get to ‘know’ Christ and learn to pray. –Maeve Heaney.    

YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED

ACCCR works to bring about the Church we dream of – a Christ-like Church. Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality is a moment of hope for this Church. Synodality means all the baptised work together equally in the Church’s mission. We encourage all Catholics to be involved in synodal activities, as well as other activities for renewal and reform. Communication and awareness-raising are essential features. For this we need resources to pay for events as we build on previous werbinars and publications. All ACCCR members involved volunteer their time and effort.

Donations can be made at the following link:

https://www.mycause.com.au/p/331884