We are now only a couple of weeks out from the Second Synod Session and as preparations are well underway for October 11th and 12th it’s a good time to take a peak behind the scenes at the SYNOD24 Process.

Synod Working Document

Prior to the first Synod Session in September, Synod Members received the “Synod Working Document” to review and reflect on. It gives a snapshot of the Archdiocese based on data provided by the National Centre of Pastoral Research (NCPR) and the proposed Decree Action Plans. Each of the 8 Plenary Council Decrees have a dedicated Action Plan including a preamble that grounds the actions in scripture, Catholic tradition and theology in light of our national and local context. It then outlines three to five proposed actions that respond to the gaps and needs that were identified throughout the Consultation Phase.

Table Configuration

Eight Synod Members are gathered around each of the round tables. Led by a Table Facilitator, most tables have a mixture of two or three clergy, a young person, someone who works in education/healthcare/aged care, a leader from one of the Archdiocesan agencies such as Centacare, cultural representatives and someone who works within a social justice organisation. This helps to ensure that the Holy Spirit is able to speak through diverse experiences, perspectives, questions and stories. Each table also has a scribe that helps to summarise the table discussion.

Presentation of Decree Action Plans

Synod Guides Paul Jensen and Immaculate Vuciri guide the Synod Members through the Synod Program over the course of the day. As each Decree Action Plan is presented to the assembly, Writers are invited to provide necessary context and clarification before Spirit-led conversations begin. Like the Australian Plenary Council and the Synod on Synodality in Rome, SYNOD24 uses a modified version of Conversations in the Spirit that ensures that tables are able to effectively and authentically discuss, debate, discern and vote on each of the proposed actions.

Conversations In The Spirit

Step 1: After the context is provided by a Writer, the table pauses in prayer.

Step 2: Each member of the table speaks for 2minutes, responding to the Decree Action Plan and sharing what struck and challenged them. Often they will start with the phrase: “In prayer I heard/felt/thought…” This step helps build trust within the group as members make themselves increasingly more vulnerable, honest and open each time they enter into the process.

Step 3: Each member of the table speaks for 2minutes, reflecting on what they heard and felt from what other members of the group shared. Often they will start with the phrase: “In the group I heard/felt… and it left me thinking/feeling…”. This is a really important step in the process for a couple of reasons. It provides the opportunity for members to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying through the other members of the group, and to help them possibly see things differently or come to understand new perspectives. It also provides the opportunity for the table members to feel genuinely heard as they listen to others reflect back their concerns, challenges, hopes and perspectives. This step can also lead to some difficult discussions as table members may have heard opinions and experiences that they find personally challenging and in opposition to their own. This tension, when led by the Holy Spirit and grounded psychological safety and respect, is a necessary part of authentic dialogue and ensures that the table is able to discuss and debate core issues effectively.

Step 4: The process moves to free-flowing conversation as table members identify where there is consensus and disagreement and seek to find a way forward together. It is at this time that the Table Facilitator and Scribe will help summarise the conversation and take note of proposed changes to the Decree Action Plan that the table would like to be submitted for consideration.

Step 5: The table pauses for prayer.

“Endorse” and “Challenge”

After the Conversations in the Spirit it is time to move to voting. All Synod Members have a “consultative” vote which means they are recommending or not recommending an action be implemented within the Archdiocese of Brisbane. The Archbishop will ultimately discern which actions he will legislate (approve for implementation).

Those not considered Synod Members are:

– Archbishop Mark Coleridge (as Synod Presider)

– Bishop Tim Norton SVD (as Synod Chair)

– Steph Unger and Fr Ormond Rush (Expert Advisors)

– Paul Jensen and Immaculate Vuciri (Synod Guides)

Synod Members are given the option to “endorse” or “challenge” all actions. Each action is voted on separately. “Endorse” means they recommend the action be implemented within the Archdiocese of Brisbane in its current form. “Challenge” means they are challenged by elements (or all) of the action as it is written and therefore do not recommend it be implemented within the Archdiocese of Brisbane in its current form. Prior to the official vote, Table Facilitators ask their group to indicate if they are likely to endorse or challenge an action. They then raise an “Endorse” card if 2/3 of their table will likely endorse an action or a “Challenge” card if not.

If more than 5 tables raise a “Challenge” card the Synod Guides take this as an indication that the action may need to be revised. Table Facilitators are invited to share their table’s concerns to the assembly. Suggested changes are taken into consideration by the Writer and a revised action presented to the assembly at a later time.

If 2/3 of tables raise an “Endorse” card the Synod Guides call for an official vote. At this time Synod Members are asked to raise their “Endorse” or “Challenge” card and all votes are counted. An action is considered “Recommended for Implementation” by SYNOD24 when “Endorse” makes up at least 2/3 of votes cast. Synod Members may choose to “abstain” from voting for any given action, however they will not be counted in the 2/3.

Even if an action is “Endorsed” tables are still encouraged to send changes, challenges, concerns or ideas for implementation that they would like to be taken into consideration by the Archbishop. These table notes are being collated and analysed into a Synthesis Report by Synod Executive Officer Steph Unger and reviewed by Synod Chair Bishop Tim Norton.

Decree Action Plans Presented In The First Session

Synod Members have already voted on and endorsed all actions relating to the following Plenary Council Decrees:

Decree 1 – Reconciliation Healing Wounds Receiving Gifts

Decree 2 – Choosing Repentance Seeking Healing

Decree 3 – Called By Christ Sent Forth As Mission Disciples

Decree 7 – At the Service of Communion Participation and Mission: Governance

Decree Action Plans To Be Presented In The Second Session

Synod Members will discuss, debate, discern and vote on the remaining actions relating to the following Plenary Council Decrees:

Decree 4 – Witnessing to the Equal Dignity of the Women and Men

Decree 5 – Communion in Grace Sacrament to the World

Decree 6 – Formation and Leadership for Mission and Ministry

Decree 8 – Integral Ecology and Conversion for the Sake of Our Common Home.