Preparing for the Liverpool Synod 2020

Aug 1st, 2019

Source: Archdiocese of Liverpool

More than 25,000 people have responded to the invitation to be part of the listening phase of the Liverpool Synod 2020.

There have been four main pathways to be involved.

On-line: 1300 people had filled in the Synod questions on line.

Parish listening: It is difficult to say how many people the response represented, by a cautious estimate is that over 20,000 people have taken part.

Focus Groups: Ten focus groups were held across the Archdiocese with various interest groups in March and April 2019. These were: Parents of Primary-School age children; Deacons and wives; Priests; Lay Pastoral Workers; LGBT Catholics; Ordinary' Catholics; Catholics who worship using the Extraordinary Form; Members of Ethnic Minorities; Young Catholics and the Nugent Care Society.

A Youth Survey: which as well as gathering views in Lourdes received over 600 contributions.

The listening was in response to four questions:

1. Where in your everyday life do you experience love, truth, goodness, hope, and joy?

2. When you reflect on your life now, and as you look to the future, what causes you concern or worry?

3. What is the purpose of the Catholic Church in the world today?

4. Having reflected on these things, what are the topics you would like to see on the agenda of Synod 2020?

A very important stage in the Synod Journey takes place between 15th and 17th August when the Synod Working Party gather, under the guidance of Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon and Dr Jessie Rogers (Limerick Diocese), for a three day process of discernment and prayer. Fr Peter McGrail from Hope University will present the data from the listening at this gathering and it is hoped that the discernment will lead to a number of Themes emerging which indicate the way forward for the Synod Journey

The themes that emerge will be presented to the Synod Members at the September 2020 Synod Gatherings in Wigan (Sept 21st or 25th). These will be presented to the Diocese on Synod Sunday (13th October 2019) and then each theme will be explored, discussed, examined and prayed about. Synod Members will then be invited to listen to the people of the Archdiocese and then with them discern what proposals should be put forward based on each theme.

LINK

https://synod2020.co.uk/