Parramatta Diocese has launched its “Pastoral Plan for a Synodal Church 2024-2028”, which establishes and articulates the diocese’s Christ-centred vision for the next four years. Source: Catholic Outlook.
More than 220 people gathered at the Western Sydney Conference Centre in Penrith on August 10 to celebrate the launch.
The all-day gathering marked the apex of an extensive process of synodality within the Diocese – that is, of “walking together” – of deep listening, dialogue and discernment with people of different backgrounds, faiths and walks of life across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv said the new pastoral plan supports his motto to “go out into the deep” (Luke 5:4), as it builds upon the former plan, Faith in our Future 2014-2018, and sets out the direction and priorities of the diocese as a synodal Church over the next four years.
“Our journey has only just begun,” Bishop Long said.
“As we move forward, we endeavour to institutionalise best practice in communal discernment, decision making and governance, which would enhance the authority of the ordained and the rightful participation of the faithful,” he said.
“Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we are strengthened by the encounter with Jesus as we embark on the journey of participation, communion and mission.”
Reverend Dr Ormond Rush said the new pastoral plan is built on a framework of key shared principles. These include the significance of baptism as the starting point for the Diocese’s shared mission in the Church, as well as sensus fidei, meaning “sense of the faith”.
“We see this in how a person lives, speaks and acts as a follower of God. It helps us understand that everyone, not just clergy, can recognise true expressions of faith,” Fr Rush said.
“It is this sensus fidei, which propels us to work towards a Synodal Church by recognising the truth in what is said as we listen to others, to better understand our faith to make informed decisions, and to keep us on the right path.”
Download your copy of the Diocese of Parramatta’s Pastoral Plan for a Synodal Church 2024-2028.
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Diocese launches new Pastoral Plan for a synodal Church (By Belinda Gadd, Catholic Outlook)
