Synod heralds new era for missionary church

By Wendy Shaw

Tasmania is a beautiful place but it is also the least religious place in Australia, according to Archbishop Tony Ireland.

Citing a daily newspaper article about the expansion next year of provocative Hobart-based winter arts event Dark Mofo, Archbishop Tony said: “We live in a place where religion is mocked and our values are questioned.

“Others feel simply that the gospel has nothing to say to them. We cannot respond to that reality with business as usual.”

He was speaking at a Synod Regional Listening Session in the Launceston suburb of Invermay on 7 November as the Archdiocese of Hobart progresses towards forming a synodal and listening Church.

About 80 clergy, religious and laity gathered at St Finn Barr’s Catholic School, following on from about 50 attending a similar session at St Brendan-Shaw College in Devonport, on 31 October.

“The Synod speaks of a missionary synodal church, one that listens deeply, not to dilute the gospel but to bring it more effectively to the world,” Archbishop Tony said.

“[L]istening is not weakness. It is the way Jesus ministered.

“[T]he Synod also reminds us that every baptised person is a missionary disciple … “Synodality is about awakening the whole people of God for mission.”

The Synod was a response to a world of declining trust, increasing isolation and a crisis of participation.

“People no longer feel that they belong or that their voice matters,” he said.

“The Synod says that the Church must be a sign in a different way – a community of listening, participation and shared responsibility; a prophetic witness in a fragmented world. If we can become that kind of church here in Tasmania we will already be evangelising …

“The synodal path will take time. There may be uncertainty. Some will be enthusiastic, others will be cautious … That is normal.

“We are in changing times but they can be exciting times. We do it for the glory of God and the mission of the Church.”

Archbishop Tony emphasised that each diocese in Australia is travelling at its own pace in the synodal process; that synodality is not a program, slogan or item to tick off and forget but instead the ‘bishop, priests and people together on a continuous journey as the local Church’; and that if synodality does not lead to evangelisation it has missed the point.

Rachel Hills, of Rosebery on the West Coast, travelled more than two hours to attend the Devonport listening session and said it was well worth the trip.

Her takeaways included the importance of service, of lifting up the marginalised, and of continuing to build trust and confidence.

“This is an important process giving all stakeholders a chance to be heard,” she added.

“It has exceeded my expectations.”

Synod Steering Committee member Heidi Portugal, of Ulverstone “We have to dig deep inside ourselves so that we can listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.”

Maureen O’Halloran, of Ulverstone, welcomed the opportunity for the People of God to express their discernment and to be heard.

Sue Hyslop, of Somerset, said the synodal process was the most significant thing to happen in the Church in decades.

“It is a golden opportunity for people to become involved and included in the decision-making process,” she said.

Carmel Taylor, of Westbury, described it as refreshing and hopeful.

Peter Beskin-Clark, of Burnie, said: “I think the listening aspect is very good for discernment. It is great to hear the opinions … and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Elisabeth Ryan, of Stanley, part of a large contingent from Circular Head Parish at the North West listening session, saw the process as a welcome opportunity to ‘bring togetherness and unity to the Church’.

Synod Project Officer Jane McKeown, who will represent the Archdiocese as an observer at the Archdiocese of Melbourne’s synod in December, highlighted the importance of listening together and praying together. By doing so “we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit to journey together on a path that Christ is calling us to walk”.

She added: “The response from individuals across Tasmania has been a true gift to the Archdiocese of Hobart, through the ministry of facilitators and the significant numbers attending sessions.

“I give thanks and am grateful to the People of God of Tasmania for offering their time to attend sessions; to be a gift within their parishes and communities and to continue sharing and grow the practice with their parish and community.”

Tasmanian Catholic secondary colleges will engage in the synodal process in March.

Meanwhile, the Hobart Regional Listening Session is on 21 November, before the Diocesan Synod Gathering on 15 and 16 May, 2027.

Those unable to attend regional listening sessions are invited to email their responses to the synod questions (see hobart.catholic.org.au/synod-2027) to synod@aohtas.org.au.