Australian dioceses prepare for synod launch

Dioceses across Australia will this weekend hold launches to mark the commencement of local participation in the two-year journey towards the 2023 Synod of Bishops.

Last Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated a Mass to launch the global process for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which has the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”.

“Celebrating a Synod means walking on the same road, together,” the Pope said in his homily.

That path of walking together will see dioceses conduct local consultations that inform national reports that will help shape preparations for the Synod of Bishops, including the drafting of its instrumentum laboris or working document.

There will also be regional consultations for episcopal conferences, with Australian bishops to meet with members of the New Zealand, Pacific Island and Papua New Guinea/Solomon Islands bishops conferences to prepare for the 2023 gathering in Rome.

Dioceses across the country have been invited to celebrate Masses this weekend using special prayers and readings to mark the Synod’s launch.

Bishops Commission for Liturgy chair Archbishop Patrick O’Regan, in a letter to dioceses, said liturgical unity across the country would “[highlight] to all the faithful the importance of the Synod for the Catholic Church around the world and their communion in prayer with all participants”.

Sophy Morley, a member of the national Synod of Bishops committee and a liturgical adviser, said the resources include texts from the Lectionary and the Roman Missal, as well as music suggestions for the Church in Australia.

The liturgical resources for parishes and other resources can be accessed on the Synod page on the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference website.

More information on the local consultations that are part of the Synod process will be published next week.