Bunbury Diocese held its Diocesan General Assembly on July 30-August 1, with more than 200 delegates coming together to discuss and plan for the future of the diocese.
The assembly brought together clergy, principals and Catholic school leaders, parish representatives, the youth and people of different faiths from across the diocese.
Bunbury Bishop George Kolodziej SDS initially called for a synodal assembly on October 5, 2025.
The assembly marked the culmination of months of prayer, listening and discernment following the 55 “Conversations in the Spirit” participated by 622 parishioners conducted throughout the diocese during the month of June.
From those conversations, the Diocesan Synodal Team led by chancellor Kerrie Merritt identified six pastoral pathways – evangelisation, discipleship, youth, families, communion, mission and stewardship – representing the voices in the diocese.
The assembly opened with a day dedicated to the clergy of the Diocese. Although Bishop Kolodziej was in Victoria to attend the installation of the new Sandhurst Bishop, he addressed the clergy through a recorded video message that set the spiritual tone for the assembly.
“My brothers, I encourage you to speak openly. I encourage you to speak from your own experience. I encourage you to speak about the blessings you see in your parish. I encourage you to speak honestly about the challenges you carry. I encourage you to speak about the hopes you have for the future of our Diocese,” Bishop Kolodziej said.
On day two, the conversation focused on schools with 85 Catholic school leaders and clergy gathered at Bunbury Catholic College to continue the discernment process. Working together in small groups, participants reflected on the same six pastoral pathways, sharing experiences from parish and school communities.
Among those participating was Carlo Pardini, Bunbury Regional Officer for Catholic Education Western Australia, who praised the distinctive approach of Conversations in the Spirit.
“What we’ve really appreciated is the time to actually stop and have some silence and process what’s being said. It helped clarify your own thoughts and give some direction to what you are about to say,” Mr Pardini said.
The final day marked the assembly’s largest gathering, bringing together more than 155 delegates from every corner of the Bunbury diocese.
Participants included parish leaders, clergy, principals, teachers, diocesan staff, ministry representatives and young people, all contributing their voices to the conversations shaping the future of the diocese
The diocese will gather once again in May 2027 for the Second Diocesan General Assembly.
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Catholic Diocese of Bunbury Holds General Assembly (Bunbury Diocese)
