Preparing for the Plenary Council
On Friday 09th November 2018, I joined Plenary Council 2020 Diocesan Coordinators from across the country.
They were meeting to update each other on their progress in explaining the Council and in encouraging people to contribute their views.
There was enormous variation in how much had been done and the processes being used. I was struck by the encouragement they offered each other. For instance, they have an online storage place for all the resources developed by each Diocese and all are able to use and adapt each other’s work.
They were pleased to hear that individual PJPs and the AMPJP are holding discernment sessions to develop submissions for the Plenary Council.
The AMPJP Plenary Council discernment meetings are:
- Tues.18 Dec. 2018, West Perth WA
- Thurs. 31 Jan. 2019, Albert Park (Melb) VIC
- Thurs 07 Feb. 2019, Balmain (Syd) NSW
- Wed 13 Feb. 2019, Nudgee (Bris) QLD
The November 2018 Plenary Council newsletter reports that 21,189 contributions have so been submitted. Topics that are passionately and frequently raised include leadership and governance within the Church, the place and role of women, the importance of young people, the living tradition, liturgy and music, the priesthood and other vocations, inclusion and welcome, the sacramental life of the Church, ecology and creation, and social justice. The infographic below provides some insight into the current content and statistics of responses the Plenary Council team are receiving.
