WHAT IS THE SYNOD ALL ABOUT? |
WHO'S ORGANISING WHAT? |
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Pope Francis has dedicated the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. to be focused on the theme of Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment. It will be held in Rome in October 2018.
"The theme, represents an expression of the pastoral care of the Church for the young. The Church has decided to examine herself on how she can lead young people to recognise and accept the call to the fullness of life and love, and to ask young people to help her in identifying the most effective ways to announce the Good News today”. As part of this process the Pope has invited young people to share their voice from a variety of social contexts from around the world, so as to better understand what it is like to be a young person living in the world today; the hopes for the kind of people they wish to become, the joys, the challenges, the worries and the uncertainties. The ‘Pope is listening’ and he wishes to understand and explore the issues that isolate young people and marginalise them as well as better understand to what young people may feel a sense of belonging. Pope Francis has told young people that the Church “wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith; even your doubts and your criticism. Make your voice heard, let it resonate in communities and let it be heard by your shepherds of souls.” The aim of the synod is to listen, to learn, so as to know how best to respond in “accompanying the young on their existential journey to maturity so that, through a process of discernment, they discover their plan for life and realise it with joy, opening up to the encounter with God and with human beings, and actively participating in the edification of the Church and of society." get involved! click below
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The Context of the Synod provides the opportunity for the Archdiocese of Birmingham to fulfil the wishes of the Holy Father at a local level, in solidarity with the Synod of Bishops.
In particular, it is proposed that through a series of projects, events and initiatives, the Diocesan Vocations Office in collaboration with the Kenelm Youth Trust will create the platform for young people to share their voice and enter into this important dialogue with the Church, both at a local and Global level, beginning immediately and continuing to journey with the young people up to, through and beyond the Synod in October 2018. Following the Synod reflections, both agencies will also evaluate findings and plan a response to address the recommendations arising from the Synod of Bishops, in sympathy with the information received from young people at a local level from within our own diocese in order to develop a comprehensive pastoral response to young people in the living out of their faith and in vocational discernment. 
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