Archbishop signs Decree of Convocation

Archbishop Julian has formally convoked the Diocesan pre-Synodal Meeting for the Archdiocese of Hobart, which will conclude the consultation phase of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

The Archbishop invited clergy, religious and all the faithful of the diocese, as well as those engaged in service of the Church’s agencies and ministries, to “gather in prayer” at one of three geographical locations across the state.

“The gathering provides the opportunity for all members of the diocese to come together for a liturgical celebration, to pray together, to reflect upon, listen and prayerfully discern what the Holy Spirit has tried to inspire in us during the consultation period,” Archbishop Julian said.

He said the process of consultation in Australian dioceses had occurred within the broader context of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, which had already advanced the local Church along the synodal path.

In March 2020 Pope Francis announced that the theme for the Synod of Bishops would be “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission” and invited the entire Church to reflect on this theme and take part in a consultation process at the diocesan level, to “promote a sense of communion and journeying together”.

The Synod of Bishops will take place in October 2023 in Rome. The journey towards the Synod consists of several stages and was opened in dioceses around the world in October 2021.

The locations and dates for the Diocesan pre-Synodal Meeting are as follows:

30 April 2022     11am – 1pm       St Mary’s Star of the Sea, Burnie

                              3pm – 5pm         Church of the Apostles, Launceston

1 May 2022        2pm – 4pm         St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart