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Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar for Education, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn addresses the delegates. Photo: Samuel Chan/Archdiocese of Perth.

For the first time in more than 30 years, the Archdiocese of Perth has last week held an Archdiocesan Assembly.

More than 100 delegates from parishes, agencies and offices across the Archdiocese gathered for the occasion, including nominated clergy, religious, and lay delegates.

The 2024 Assembly, operating within the framework provided by Canon Law, focussed on investigating, considering, and formulating practical strategies for pastoral works and initiatives with the diocese – namely on establishing a Diocesan Pastoral Council that reflects the way of synodality as emphasised by Pope Francis.

A Diocesan Pastoral Council, as outlined in Canon Law, is a consultative body offering support and advice to the Bishop.  For Perth, the aim is to create a council that embodies "synodality," a collaborative approach encouraging participation from clergy, religious figures, and lay Catholics.

Led by Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar for Education, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn, the delegates of the Assembly were asked to reflect, listen and discern specific questions over three sessions, each lasting nearly an hour.

The Assembly commenced with Iona Presentation College Dean of Mission and Catholic Identity, Gemma Thomson opening the day as MC, before welcoming speeches by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton and the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn.

Looking back on his experience with the first Assembly in 1990, Bishop Don spoke about his experience of that, which brought the Year of Mission to a close.

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Delegates write their thoughts and ideas during the listening and discernment process. Photo: Samuel Chan.

Working with the Pastoral Planning Office, Bishop Don, who was parish priest of Wogan Hills at the time, together with Mercy Sister Joan Smith RSM and Year of Mission consultant Robin Beech were tasked with developing better communication between the Pastoral Planning Office and the clergy.

“In some ways, that Assembly was like a synod as it produced three outcomes that were to be implemented across the Archdiocese,” Bishop Sproxton explained.

“These were the development of an integrated communications network; parish renewal and the future of parishes; and ongoing participation of the people of the Archdiocese in decision making,” he said.

Bishop Sproxton continued by explaining that at that time, the practice of pastoral planning was considered key to creating a contemporary vision for the Archdiocesan administration, parishes and agencies.

“The plan had been to review the roles and responsibilities of the Diocesan and Parish Councils, especially underlining their contribution to the pastoral mission of every entity within the local church, by advising and supporting the archbishop in his ministry as shepherd-pastor.

“We learnt about the Pastoral Circle of Discernment and Pastoral Planning. This was based on the Ignatian method of discernment, which was familiar to so many at that time in the parishes who had been formed through the YCS/YCW method of the Review of Life: See, Judge and Act.”

SJOG Group Director Mission Integration, Tara Peters, continued the day by hosting a session focussed on the theme, ‘Journeying together led by the spirit,’.

Delegates, undertaking the listening and discernment process, were invited to, “Reflecting on the scripture passage 1 Corinthians 12: 1, 4-11 and attuning our hearts to the synthesis report of the journey we have been on during the last 12 months, what speaks to you most?”

In his speech for the occasion, Bishop Sproxton also spoke about the first Diocesan Pastoral Council as established by Archbishop Launcelot Goody.

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The liturgical display included the Book of Gospels, flowers and a candle. Photo: Samuel Chan/Archdiocese of Perth.

“He understood well the significance of the call of Pope John XXIII for a Council in the early months of his pontificate, to complete the work of the First Vatican Council, and the work of preparation for the council that followed, and the experience of all the sessions,” Bishop Don explained.

The Diocesan Pastoral Council’s meeting procedures and operation were largely parliamentary in style.

“There was a smaller support structure, so much of the implementation rested with the Archbishop and his immediate office staff. Things took longer to progress and not everything could be achieved, which gave rise to frustration from time to time.”

“Our work today I hope,” continued Bishop Don, “will bring about a renewal of the consultation and participation processes in our Archdiocese, as we seek to walk together as the Church of Perth. “

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Archbishop Timothy Costelloe speaks at the conclusion of the Archdiocesan Assembly, Saturday 13 July 2024. Photo: Samuel Chan/Archdiocese of Perth.

“The session we participated in last year introduced us to a method of discernment that promises us the ability to look much deeper at the pastoral life and needs of the people of the Archdiocese, and the wider society, through attentive listening to the Holy Spirit speaking to us in the Word of God and the Tradition of the Church, and in the experience of one another,” he concluded.