Synod on Synodality News Update
by Woden South
Update 17 December 2024
Dear Diocesan Contacts and Group Coordinators,
This is our last update prior to Christmas, and we share with you some recent news and reflections for the final week of Advent.
Pontifical appointments of the XVI Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod Last Friday, 13 December 2024, Pope Francis appointed four new members to the XVI Ordinary Council. Notably, two of the appointed members were women. The four new members are:
• Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ
• Sr Simona Brambilla MC
• Cardinal Roberto Repole
• Dr Maria Lia Zervino
For more information on these appointments, see the news article here:
https://www.synod.va/en/news/pontifical-appointments-of-the-xvi-ordinary-council-of-the-gener.html
Reflections on the Synod experience
I have shared a brief account of my experience of the Synod in an article in the December edition of the NCPR quarterly newsletter, which will be published this week. The newsletter can be accessed through the NCPR website, and you can also choose to subscribe to ensure it is delivered directly to your inbox:
https://ncpr.catholic.org.au/pro-newsletter/ We’d like to invite you to send us details of experiences from the other Australian participants and where these reflections are published so we can share them more widely.
News from the Synod
We continue to follow news that is being published about the Synod and the issues raised during the Assembly. Here are three recent articles:
• Perth Archdiocese unveils vision for synodality in final assembly report:
https://cathnews.com/2024/12/10/perth-archdiocese-unveils-vision-for-synodality-in-final-assembly-report/
• C9 focuses on collegiality, role of women, nuncios, and world crises:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-12/c9-focuses-on-collegiality-role-of-women-nuncios-world-crises.html
• Pope: ‘Synod final document forms part of papal Magisterium’
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-11/pope-synod-final-document-forms-part-of-papal-magisterium.html
Christmas break
The NCPR will close for Christmas from 23 December 2024 until 3 January 2025 (inclusive). During this time, we will be unable to process any requests.
We will take a break from providing email updates until February 2025. However, if you need anything before then, please feel free to contact Leith, Stephen, or me.
We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and look forward to continuing the synodal journey with you in 2025.
Kind Regards,
DR TRUDY DANTIS
National Coordinator, Synod of Bishops 2021-2024
Director, National Centre for Pastoral Research | Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
GPO Box 368, Canberra ACT 2601
P: (02) 6201 9812 |
E: trudy.dantis@catholic.org.au | W: ncpr.catholic.org.au
Update 3 Nov:
Dear members of the Archdiocese,
We are pleased to advise that the synthesis report is now available in English.
English Translation of the Synthesis Report
The English translation of the synthesis report has now been released. Please find a copy attached. You can also find a copy on the Google Drive in the “First Assembly 2023” folder, or on the Synod website, where it has been published in a number of formats:
https://www.synod.va/en/news/a-synodal-church-in-mission.html
What next?
We expect to be in touch again prior to Advent to provide you with resources to continue the synodal journey to the Second Assembly.
NCPR Contacts
Dr Trudy Dantis is taking leave following the Synod, and returning to the office on 20 November 2023. In the meantime, please feel free to contact Stephen Reid (stephen.reid@catholic.org.au) or I (Leith Dudfield) (leith.dudfield@catholic.org.au), if you require any assistance.
For all media inquiries and assistance please contact Gavin Abraham (gavin.abraham@catholic.org.au).
Synod Resources
Resources supporting and related to the Synod can be found in our Google Drive older: https://bit.ly/SynodResources which is being updated regularly.
Further resources can also be found on the Australian Synodal Church webpage: https://catholic.org.au/synodalchurch and on the official website for the Synod 2021-2024: https://www.synod.va/en.html
Update 22 Sep:
For those of you interested in following along with the Synodal process.
Please see the below links: Aus Synodal Church: https://catholic.org.au/synodalchurch
& on the official website for the Synod 2021-2024: https://www.synod.va/en.html
Update 29 Sep
Archbishop Prowse Pastoral Statement – Synod on Synodality and The Voice Referendum
Please find a Pastoral Statement from Archbishop Prowse & the document links are below:
YEAR OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WEBSITE https://www.yearofholyspirit.org.au/
TOWARDS THE REFERENDUM: A Statement from Australia’s Catholic Bishops https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gVh0M8eJj3M85K6FgYZwBVDgdnQRQEMJ/view
LISTEN, LEARN, LOVE https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2023/08/22/social-justice-statement-2023-24/