THE trepidation and uncertainty on day one of Brisbane’s SYNOD24 had disappeared as table conversations on day two opened with momentum, which carried through to see actions endorsed on four Plenary Council decrees by day’s end.
Synod member Sam Hodge said today felt different.
“With more time, getting to know each other and the process, conversations are flowing, people feel freer to give their ideas and opinions,” he said.
More challenges and differing opinions came with the territory, he said.
“Really I think that’s a positive thing, because we embrace their opinions and become more tolerant,” he said.
Mr Hodge said he felt the Holy Spirit moving through the process.
“There was a moment this morning, when I said what I said, I felt like the Spirit had moved through me,” he said.
“Because it wasn’t something I’d thought about in my head, but as I was saying it, it came out in a very spiritual, articulate way.”
He said it was an amazing moment.
Synod guide Immaculate Vuciri said she did not know what to expect from day two.
“Yesterday everyone was a bit more reserved, and then today, obviously we’re getting used to the process, we’re getting used to the people in the room, the energy is different,” she said.
“Because those connections have been built (between table members), people feel like they can speak more confidently and freely.”
Synod member and table facilitator Teresa McGrath heard more differing opinions today.
“I would have been disappointed if we had complete agreement every step of the way,” she said.
“I was a little bit nervous that there might be significant conflict, but I found everyone was really respectful and… the ability to listen and acknowledge during the listening phase was quite profound.
“The Church is a very big Church and moving forward together takes time – I think we’ve given some time to that through this process.”
Synod member and table facilitator Fr David Pascoe said he was encouraged by the voices at his table, “these are good people with good hearts, wanting to contribute to the Church”.
Power of governance
The first decree up for discussion on day two was Plenary Council decree seven – “At the Service of Communion, Participation and Mission: Governance”.
This decree had four actions and all of them were endorsed by the synod.
The first action was about establishing a council to advise the archbishop on continuing the synodal vision of the Church in Brisbane.
This action was endorsed by the synod, with 116 endorsements and four challenges.
The second action was about establishing a council on the level of parishes and communities to continue the synodal vision in the Church in Brisbane.
This action was endorsed by the synod, 107 to 12.
The third action was about a project at the deanery level to identify candidates from underrepresented groups who could serve as experts on councils at archdiocesan and parish levels.
This action was endorsed by the synod, 109 to four.
The fourth action was developing a parish handover process to help parishes discern with, engage and support incoming and existing clergy in the power of governance.
This action was endorsed by the synod, 103 to 20.
Church on mission
The second decree of the day was Plenary Council decree three – “Called by Christ, Sent Forth as Missionary Disciples”.
This decree had six actions.
The first action was about forming a family and intergenerational ministry to develop and implement family faith formation across educational and archdiocesan agencies.
This action was endorsed by the synod, 108 to nine.
The second action was about self-nominated Mass centres intentionally offering Mass and liturgical celebrations for diverse needs in the community.
This action was endorsed by the synod, 88 to 31.
This was the closest vote of the day, but still cleared the two-thirds majority required for endorsement at 74 per cent.
The third action was about the archdiocese providing facilitated learning sessions, workshops and forums for safe and supportive story-telling, truth-telling and dialogue.
This action was endorsed by the synod, 101 to 12.
The fourth action was about supporting formation and mission in ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, driven at the deanery level.
This action was endorsed by the synod, 109 to 10.
The fifth action was about developing and implementing a strategy for mission in digital spaces for Catholic creators.
This action was endorsed by the synod, 101 to six.
The sixth action was about engaging and developing pastoral mission through sport.
This action was endorsed by the synod, 98 to 20.
An action brought forward again
Before synod members broke for lunch, they were presented with a revision to Plenary Council decree two, action two, on Safeguarding Sunday that did not proceed to a formal vote yesterday.
The language of the action was broadened and it was ultimately endorsed by the synod today, 106 to 10.
Synod member Sang Duc Bui had considered his conversations in both sessions carefully, saying he had never been part of anything like the synod before.
“I think this (the synod) will be good for our archdiocese in the future,” he said.
“I have hope that all things are in the hands of God – and also the archbishop, who will lead the Church going forward in faith and charity.”
Synod member and table facilitator Fr Francis Belcina said the work done yesterday to establish the synod process had made day two run smoothly.
“I really do feel the Holy Spirit working,” he said.
Synod member Sr Theresa Maria Dao said she saw a lot of dreams being planted in the archdiocese, but that she had also grappled with many challenges in the conversations on day two.
She had a lot of hope for the synod overall and saw a Christ-centred vision at the heart of the Church in Brisbane.
“As a religious person, synodality is not new to us,” she said.
“But it is exciting to be in this space with so much variety and diversity.”
Reconciliation and healing
The last decree of the day was Plenary Council decree one – “Reconciliation: Healing Wounds, Receiving Gifts”.
This decree had three actions, which were all endorsed by clear majorities, with exact vote counts to come.
The first action was about an archdiocesan plan to provide opportunities for those in parishes, communities and agencies to deepen their knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures and spiritualities.
The second action was about the archdiocese creating and distributing resources for parishes, communities and agencies to meaningfully include aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, traditions, spiritualities, ritual and symbol in prayers and liturgies.
The third action was about developing culturally specific learning and formation opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples by the archdiocese.
Synod members and married couple Kevin and Lisa Eastment had met while working in Indigenous education.
“This is stuff we live and breathe,” Mrs Eastment said.
They said their table members were quick to acknowledge the shortcomings of their personal knowledge on the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and were ready to listen.
Mrs Eastment said the two people on her table who had challenged some actions were still broadly supportive of the sentiment, but wanted a nuance or two in the wording tweaked.
She said those same people offered personal reflections, which “created the opportunity for the rest of us to learn” from their experiences.
Mr Eastment said his table members were looking forward to seeing this decree carry forward and what it might look like implemented across the Church.
“As a nation, until we own our true history, we won’t move forward,” he said.
“The promising thing in the Catholic Church and our community is they’re open to discussion.”
Synod member Henry Martin said he prayed the synod was heading in a good direction.
“Whether it is, I’m not sure, I guess we will wait and see,” he said.
He said it was good to hear from people on topics that were not ordinarily discussed, but he was also surprised other topics he felt were “huge needs” for the Church had not been discussed.
Synod member Pat Keady said “walking together” was the right image for synodality.
“Walking together reminds me of the two on the road to Emmaus,” he said.
“They were discouraged.”
He said a lot of people inside and outside the Church were discouraged about the Church too.
But he said there was a lot of good happening in the Church, a lot was working and happening.
“I think that’s something we need to remember as we walk together … the Risen Jesus is alive and He is walking with us as well.”
The end of day two brings to a close the September sessions of the synod, it will pick up again in October with four more Plenary Council decrees to discuss.
More coverage to come in the following days.
