The word “synod” refers to both an event and a process. For the Diocese of Parramatta, our first synod is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together and discern how the Church can be more inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs of its people. Synods are transformative events that lead to renewal in the Church’s life.
The Diocese of Parramatta’s first Synod began in March 2023, when Bishop Vincent Long formally announced the convocation of a Diocesan Synod. In May 2023, we began a series of deanery and parish listening consultations that provided an opportunity for people from all walks of life to share their thoughts and experiences on the theme of the synod. The results of the listening consultations will be used to inform the synod’s discernment process.
The Synod event was held from 13 to 15 October 2023. We gathered clergy, consecrated, and the laity from across our Diocese to listen, discern, and respond to the Holy Spirit through voices of the People of God in Western Sydney and The Blue Mountains.
The Diocese of Parramatta’s First Synod
