Archbishop O'Regan elected as delegate to Rome Synod
International
Adelaide Archbishop Patrick O’Regan is one of two Australian bishops chosen to participate in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2023.
He and Bishop Shane Mackinlay from Sandhurst Diocese were elected recently by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference as delegates to the Synod convened by Pope Francis.
In March 2020, Pope Francis announced that the theme of the next Synod of Bishops would be ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission’.
The Pope launched the two-year international journey towards the celebration of the Synod in October this year, with local launches and a diocesan consultation phase commencing soon after.
Archbishop O’Regan said he was “humbled” to represent his fellow bishops “at this significant event in the life of the universal Church”.
“I feel blessed to have the opportunity to participate in such a special way in the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 2023,” he said.
“The people of God in Australia have been embarking on a process of dialogue and discernment through the Plenary Council and their own diocesan initiatives.
“This gives us a strong foundation to our contribution to the Synodal process which, unlike previous Synods, has begun with local consultation and listening to many different Church groups and organisations.
“These are exciting times for the Church in Australia and the world under the leadership of Pope Francis, who reminds us of the importance of being a Church that journeys together.”
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP was elected as Australia’s substitute delegate for the Synod of Bishops.
Bishop Mackinlay, the vice president of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, said the Synod was “a wonderful opportunity” to “strengthen our communion, participation and mission”.
“For us in Australia, this is very well timed as a further extension of the discernment we are undertaking in the Plenary Council. I look forward to participating in the local consultations over the coming months and then preparing for the Synod itself in 2023,” he said.
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