Liverpool Synod Weekend

image: Archdiocese of Liverpool

On Saturday 19th June, 400 Synod members and observers gathered together online for the Liverpool Archdiocesan Synod, with synod members casting their votes on the 19 recommendations, which came forward through our Synodal journey. The Synod Weekend culminated with 300 people gathering for a Mass of Celebration in person in the Cathedral on Sunday, with many more joining online.

Opening the Synod from the Metropolitan Cathedral, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon said: "We started this Synod with the week of prayer to put things into perspective, to say that what matters is our relationship with God, in the Holy Spirit, through his son Jesus Christ.

"For these moments today, I hand over to you, the People of God. We want to hear what you say, what you have discerned, because it's through you that we will be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit."

The Synod Weekend is the culmination of a three and half year process of listening, sharing and discerning; in parishes, deaneries and other communities throughout the Archdiocese. The votes of Synod members are the latest stage of our synodal journey.

All of the 19 Synod Recommendations received strong support from members. The areas deemed to be the highest priority were: evangelisation, lay ministry, a more inclusive church, young people and young adults, Catholic schools, love of neighbour, and Governance and Synodality.

Throughout the day Synod members were joined by Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, and received a video message from Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary of the Vatican Office for the Synod of Bishops.

Cardinal Grech said: "Your experience shows that a vote can only take place at the end of a long process of listening and discernment: a listening to the Spirit, who speaks through all the members of the People of God, and a shared discernment of His will for the Church.

"I am absolutely convinced that the propositions presented during the course of your Synod as well as the conclusions you have reached today, all have their pastoral relevance for your ecclesial community; but I wish to underline that another important achievement of your synod has been that by walking together you have learnt to appreciate and adopt a synodal style in the daily life of your Church: this is the goal of the conversion to which we are called."

The recommendations that came out most strongly called for the Church in Liverpool Archdiocese to be "courageous in guiding all Catholics to deepen their relationship with Jesus, and to engage in our mission to help make Jesus known and loved in our world", to give a "a strong commitment to lay ministry including training employed ministers, supporting volunteer ministers" and to focus on "locally employed and volunteer youth ministers to work with young people and young adults."

Debbie Reynolds, a Synod member from St Francis Xavier's Church in Liverpool said that "the whole weekend has been a really joyful and significant moment in our Synodal process where the voice of the People of God has been heard. Our journey so far, and the journey ahead gives me great hope for the future of our Church."

For more information see: www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/