What is a Synod?
History is being made as people throughout the Catholic Diocese of Geraldton are invited to be a part of the very first Synod. “Ä Synod is a special way of bringing people together to listen carefully to what the Holy Spirit is calling us to be as people of God in this place,” stated Bishop Michael Morrissey. "Under Pope Francis the entire Church is being reminded that we all have a role to play in the Church as baptized believers.” Under Canon law a Bishop can convene a Synod as a way of bringing the faithful together and discerning a pastoral plan for the future. A synod cannot change existing church teaching.
Bishop Michael invites everyone, stating, "What we need to do in this Synod is not about the wider [Catholic] Church, it is about the local church, not about what happens in Rome, the Vatican, or Syndey or other areas, what we need to do is to focus on the issues and concerns in our own local area. If we can focus on issues in the local geographical area of the church, this is what this Synod is dealing with.”
This will be the first ever Synod to take place in the Geraldton Diocese.
The Diocese is keen to hear from everybody who is connected with the Catholic Church in any way. Around 100 members (delegates) of the Synod will gather in Geraldton for an Assembly between the 21st and 23rd August.
Watch this short video 'What is a Synod'? by Fr Patrick Blayney 1.10minutes
The following slides present some further thoughts on what a synod is:-
