The three-year Synod of Bishops in Rome that will include participation from dioceses around the world has its start in Vancouver Sunday at Holy Rosary Cathedral.
Archbishop J. Michael Miller will celebrate Mass at 2 p.m. at the cathedral “in solidarity with the Holy Father’s desire that we walk together in communion to pursue a common mission by participating in this Synod,” he said in a letter to the faithful.
The official opening of the multiphase synod, entitled “For a synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission,” began in Rome Oct. 9 and 10. The first phase continues through April 2022 with dioceses and bishops conferences around the world conducting local consultations.
Archbishop Miller invited groups and ministries in the archdiocese “to invite as many as possible to participate in the Archdiocesan Opening Mass on Oct. 24 to mark the beginning of our journey together.” The Mass will also be livestreamed.
“It has been a long time since many of us have been able to gather at our beloved Cathedral,” he said.
“For our local Church, this Synodal Process is a new opportunity to walk together, listen to one another in charity, and to hear what is on the hearts of our brothers and sisters. It is a chance to gather in community, to reach out to those who may have fallen by the wayside, and to ask the Holy Spirit to guide not only the universal Church, but also our Archdiocese.”
Plans are under way on how the listening and discerning process will unfold over the next several months, he said. “Parishes, ecclesial movements, lay associations, and all the faithful will have an opportunity to have a say.”
The archdiocese will have until mid-February to conduct local consultations and until April to compile a report for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
See earlier synod coverage below: