Chancellor promises feedback report Post-Assembly

Archdiocesan Chancellor Dr Patrick McArdle

As the Archdiocese Assembly date draws near, community members have expressed curiosity and hope about the event’s objectives and potential outcomes.

“There have been questions about what’s going to happen and what the outcomes are going to be,” the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn stated.

“Well, I don’t know, the Archbishop doesn’t know, and none of the members from the organising team knows. Why? Because this really is in the hands of the Holy Spirit.”

Acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the Assembly, the Chancellor emphasised the responsibility of organising such a significant event.

“Those of us organising the assembly also need to be accountable. We guarantee that by the 4th of November—just over two weeks after the assembly—we will issue a synthesis report.”

This forthcoming synthesis report aims to encapsulate the feedback gathered during the assembly, categorising insights under key themes: “encounter, discipleship, and mission.”

“Our commitment is to present everything we learn, regardless of whether the feedback is favourable or not,” the Chancellor stated. “This is what we heard; this is the feedback from the people.”

The report’s mission is to explore convergences and divergences across the Archdiocese.

“After the assembly, the organisers will distribute the synthesis report to each parish, every participant, and ministry involved,” the Chancellor explained.

Responding to logistical considerations, Dr McArdle stated, “We will then ask participants to respond by mid-December. We must do it by then because, as Australians, we are committed to our summer holidays. We need to get this done before then.”

The focus for next year will shift toward local engagement. While this year has been primarily driven by the Archdiocese, next year will be largely driven by parishes. Next year is where we want to find out what works and what doesn’t for parishes, groups, and movements across the Archdiocese,” he emphasised.

Dr McArdle urged all to embrace the forthcoming challenges collaboratively.

“Our call is to move forward with that report and respond to it generously, as called for by the Holy Spirit.”

As the Assembly approaches, there is a growing sense of purpose and expectation, promising to set the stage for a new chapter in the Archdiocese’s faith and community engagement journey.