PANAJI
The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman is set to begin its Synodal Journey on October 17, with the participation of chosen representatives from the whole archdiocese.
In a Circular Letter to the clergy, religious and lay faithful in the Archdiocese, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão said Pope Francis will be opening on October 9-10 a two-year-long ‘Synodal Journey’ for the Universal Church.
He said the ‘Synodal Journey’ will unfold itself in three phases of consultations, at the diocesan, the continental and the universal levels, culminating in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2023.
“This synodal journey will commence both in the Vatican and in the Local Churches. While the official inauguration of the Synod will be presided over by the Holy Father in the Vatican on October 9-10, the local diocesan bishops will open this journey in their respective dioceses on October 16-17.”
Archbishop Ferrão said the Theme of the 2023 Synod is, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.”
“The Holy Father desires deeply that this two-year-long ecclesial endeavour should help us all to grow together into what we are called to be. He also wants that this exercise should be a shared journey of listening, of reflection, of discernment, first at the local (diocesan) level, then at the continental and lastly at the universal level,” said Archbishop Ferrão.
He said a Coordinating Team, with Fr Simião Fernandes, Director of our Pastoral Institute, as its convenor, will be organising various activities during this synodal journey in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and will issue, from time to time, guidelines on the participation in the proceedings at different levels.
Archbishop Ferrão said the synodal journey in the archdiocese will begin with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration at the Cathedral Church in Old Goa on October 17 at 9.30 am, with the participation of chosen representatives from the whole Archdiocese.
“As members of the local Church, we all have a major role to play in our diocesan phase of the synodal journey, by listening to one another, reflecting on the Theme and participating in the various consultations.”
“Let us pray that our synodal journey may become a truly enriching experience, both to our diocesan family and to the Universal Church.”
Archbishop Ferrão has appealed to the Catholic community in the archdiocese to cooperate wholeheartedly with the Coordinating Team, “so that the Synod may really be an experience of journeying together of the entire People of God in the power of God’s Spirit.”
