A newly formed preparatory commission has met for the first time to lay the groundwork for Adelaide Archdiocese’s 2026 Synod. Source: The Southern Cross.
Attended by Adelaide Archbishop Patrick O’Regan and chaired by Vicar General Fr Dean Marin, the 13-person commission met last month to discuss how it will help ensure everyone, and everything, is in place for the Synod. The commission is supported by Sarah Moffatt and Peter Bierer as lead facilitators.
Mrs Moffatt said the Synod was about “everyone in the Church walking together” and would provide assistance to Archbishop O’Regan in his ministry and leadership of the Archdiocesan community.
“This is achieved by representatives of the faithful, lay and ordained, helping to progress the pastoral priorities identified for the good of the community in recent diocesan assemblies,” she said.
The preparatory commission plays a key part in this process. The commission will meet again on July 23 to talk about the writing groups that will develop the initial draft of the Synod papers.
The papers will explore the key themes, theological statements, visions and motions to be voted on at the Synod. They will be developed in consultation with key groups and, eventually, wider feedback across the archdiocese.
Looking further ahead, there will be a preparation gathering for delegate members in March 2026 followed by session one of the Synod at the end of May and session two in late June.
The five themes to be discerned at the Synod are:
- Formation for mission and leadership
- Mission for Catholic education and being Church together
- Structures and planning for communion, participation and mission
- Becoming missionary disciples
- Communion in grace – sacrament to the world
Details: togetherontheway.au
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Preparatory Commission under way (By Richard Evans, The Southern Cross)
