Bishop Peter Paul emphasises on “Living the Synod by Journeying with the Lord” at Pre-Synodal Meeting
Mangaluru: “Synodal process in our diocese is not over, it’s on-going”: Fr Martis
MANGALURU, MAY 05: The representatives of clergy, religious and lay faithful of the diocese of Mangalore participated in the Pre-Synodal Meeting of the diocese along with the bishop Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha on Thursday, May 05, 2022 at Bendur Hall. This meeting was part of the process for the Synod of Bishops to be held in 2023, at Rome.
The meeting was organised after the completion of the first phase of listening to and consulting the People of God in all the parishes of Mangalore Diocese.
The meeting began with the enactment of a Konkani song on Synod by 15 people representing all categories of people in the Church including the bishop and Synod logo at the centre. Fr Ashwin Lohith Cardoza, diocesan Director, Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) led the enactment.
Dr John D’Silva, Secretary, Diocesan Pastoral Parishad presented the reports, collected from the Pre-Synod Meetings held in the parishes. He said, “The priests and the lay faithful had taken the Pre-Synodal process very seriously at the parish level. The answers were long and descriptive. The reports show that the priests and lay faithful were serious in the process.”
He also noted that the answers to a few questions in the Synodal process were misunderstood and were not clear.
Rev. Fr Vijay Machado, Director, Mangala Jyothi introduced “Do This in Memory of Me”, a new book on “Understanding and Celebration of the Eucharist” authored by Rev. Dr Victor George D’Souza, Chancellor of the Diocese. Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha released the 400 page book.
Rev. Dr Joseph Martis, Contact person for the Diocesan Synodal Process presented the diocesan Synthesis. He briefed about the answers to be sent in the diocesan report for the Synod of Bishops. He said, “The report to be sent to the Synod of Bishops includes the overview of the diocese, difficulties and problems in communion, participation and mission, proposals for journeying together and finally the review of the Synodal process in the diocese.” Further he said, “Although this is the last phase of the Synodal process in the diocese, it is not yet over. It’s ongoing.” He said, ” The Synodal process was a good process. It has created an awareness among all the Catholics. A systematic formation of the adults in the Church is very necessary. The lay leadership in the Church must go beyond the Church boundaries.” Fr Martis added.
The participants were given an opportunity to express their views on the Pre-Synodal process. Their voices were heard loudly. Rev. Fr Clifford Fernandes, Parish priest, Cordel Church moderated the session.
In his message Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha said, “In this Synodal process, ‘Journeying together with the Lord’ is very important. When we walk with the Lord and proclaim Him in our words and deeds we live the Synod. Listening to the Holy Spirit will help us to listen to others.”
Bishop Peter Paul welcomed the gathering. Mrs Joan Monteiro, Ashoknagar compered the programme.
The Per-Synodal meeting concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist.
The programme was hosted by Very Rev. Vincent Monteiro, Dean of Episcopal City Deanery and parish priest of Bendur.
Report & Photos By Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes