Diocese of Menevia – Diocesan Synthesis (Our Response)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On June 1st at Southwark many of the Bishops of England and Wales gathered with the National Synthesis Team and representatives of the diocesan Synod Contact Teams to pray, reflect and discern. We were presented with the first draft of the National Synthesis for this purpose. In total some 80+ gathered. The National Synthesis Team had compiled the draft synthesis from over 700 pages of submissions from across England and Wales from individual dioceses, catholic groups, schools, and chaplaincies. The task of the day was to continue assisting the bishops in preparing them for their own discernment of the material which would form the final National Synthesis and which will be sent onto the European Bishops’ Conference and eventually the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops in Rome.

Our day began with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after which Archbishop John Wilson warmly welcomed us to his cathedral and preached a homily befitting the memorial of St Justin Martyr and our day’s enterprise. Our afternoon gathering was facilitated by Sr Bernadette Reis fsp from the Vatican dicastery for Communications. Ten table with groups of 8 representatives of Contact Teams and a bishop prayed, reflected and sought to discern the voice of the Spirit in the draft National Synthesis. After 2 hours each table was able to share with the whole room one or two reflections that had struck a chord and which they felt would require further discernment at the bishops’ discretion. These were duly noted and the National Synthesis Team was tasked to prepare for the Bishops’ own days of discernment a second draft synthesis mindful of those proffered reflections. Our bishops will be gathering again later this month to discern and compose the final Synthesis for submission.

The day’s work gave those involved from around England and Wales an insight into the challenges that the whole synodal process has given rise to. It was noted that those who contributed in the parishes averaged around 10% of parish populations. Indeed the initial draft saw there was enthusiasm and joyful hope among many who engaged at the parish or group level but so too there was a sense of weariness and scepticism that little would come of it. It was noted that such feelings were shared among clergy and that some had declined to engage at all, and some had decided to write their own responses without necessarily engaging their parishioners. Acknowledging this gamut of responses and reactions remains important as we are encouraged to move forward with the synodal process.

The day also gave the Contact Team representatives to share the fruits of the process thus far. Little shoots of growth had begun to break ground. This was reflected in many of the Diocesan Syntheses that have been produced including our own here in Menevia (http://www.menevia.org/synod-2021-2023/ – click on our response.) To encourage a greater sense of synodality, we invite you to submit to our Diocesan Contact Team your progress in embracing the synodal pathway in your local parish, group or chaplaincy. The submissions you have made this year have formed the basis of our ongoing embrace of becoming a Synodal Listening Church. The model of our Days of Discernment remains useful for future gatherings as it roots our discernment in prayer, reflective listening and discussion. The Team are eager to learn of your experiences and be able to share them with our newly appointed bishop Mark O’Toole in due course. And not only him but also with all of you so that hopefully across the diocese a form of cross-fertilisation of ideas, inspirations and support can form.

His Grace Archbishop George and the Team are so grateful for your ongoing commitment and hard work. Thank you so much.

Know you are in our prayers and that our hope is that the work that God has begun within you will be brought its to fulfilment, for the good of the Church and the Spreading of the Gospel.

With every good wish and blessing

Fr John P Thomas

Diocesan Contact Team Leader

Synod 2023 – Towards a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission

Diocese of Menevia, 99 Alexandra Road, Gorseinon, SA4 4NX

Mob: 07458 305417

Pope Francis Invites You!

To all who have been baptised as Christians,

Our holy Father Pope Francis has invited all who have been baptised to gather and take part in a spiritual consultation of the whole Church. The Title given of this spiritual consultation is

Towards a Synodal Church: Synod of Bishops (Rome) 2021-2023

Communion, Participation and Mission

The purpose of this spiritual consultation is for the bishops of the Church to arrive at an understanding of what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches around the world at this time. For it is a time in which Humanity and the Church are facing the ongoing consequences of conflict, enmity, apathy, disillusionment and an ecological disaster that threatens future generations and our common home.

At the heart of this spiritual consultation we are all being asked to read the signs of the times, to gather together in parishes or groups to pray with the scriptures and to listen and share reflectively our experience of being members of the Church, whether we are young or old, whether we ‘practise’ or not. And what steps the Holy Spirit are asking of us to take so we can grow in “journeying together” – the meaning of the word synod – as we seek to proclaim and live the life of the Gospel and to bring to bear in the world the certain hope that the Gospel alone can give.

Pope Francis insists that it is your presence, your voice, your experiences which provides the raw material for this unique consultation process under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be fruitful. What is more he desires that you feel free to ask members of your family, close circle of friends or neighbours to take up this invitation and come along to set periods of guided reflective prayer called Hours of Discernment which are to be held in our parish churches over the next 6 months. If you are unable to be physically present but can gather in your home or locality with 2 or 3 others you can also participate in this spiritual consultation. We will happily provide you with a guide for the Hours of Discernment so that you may have a fruitful experience.

For further information please click the links below,

Or alternatively email the Diocesan Contact Team via email: synod@menevia.org

or by telephone 01792 892722

or by post at 99 Alexandra Road, Gorseinon, SA4 4NX (please mark your envelope SYNOD).