Ireland: New Synodal team starts 'challenging and exciting' work

Fr Declan Hurley, National Synodal Team chair and Ms Julieann Moran, General Secretary for Irish Synodal Pathway at Columba Centre, St Patrick College, Maynooth (image: CCO archive)

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office

A new National Synodal Team for the Synodal Pathway in Ireland met for the first time today. Appointed by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference at its Spring General Meeting in March, the team includes lay women and men, priests, religious, bishops and deacons. Father Declan Hurley, Administrator of Saint Mary's Parish, Navan, has been appointed chairperson of the team.

At today's meeting, Father Hurley said: "The National Synodal Team has been formed with both continuity and growth in mind. Some of the members of the previous Steering Committee have been appointed to the team, alongside some new members, representing diverse competencies in the areas of synodality, communications, theology, formation and training, planning, pastoral and social outreach, cultural discernment, and youth. It is envisaged that the National Synodal Team will also work co-responsibly with the councils, commissions, and agencies of the Bishops' Conference, and establish working groups to assist in the implementation and rolling out of specific pathways/themes within the overall National Synodal Pathway. The Synodal Pathway represents both a challenging and exciting time for the Church in Ireland as we discern together what it is that God is asking of us at this time."

Also speaking today, the General Secretary for the Irish Synodal Pathway, Ms Julieann Moran, said, "I look forward to working closely with the National Synodal Team over the next two years as it aims to introduce and support initiatives across all levels of the Church in Ireland. The success of the Irish Synodal Pathway requires continuous engagement with parishes and dioceses, as well as engagement with religious communities, ecclesial movements and associations of lay faithful. The change in name, and focus - from a Steering Committee to a National Synodal Team - better reflects the fact that the role of this team will be to work collaboratively with the local Church, whilst progressing aspects of the work that will require national-level planning and implementation."

The National Synodal Team was established by the Irish Bishops' Conference at its Spring General Meeting for the implementation of the Synodal Pathway in Ireland. For more information see: https://synod.ie/