ACU hosts Sydney Plenary Council tertiary consultation

ACU Vice President Father Anthony Casamento csma, as Chair of the Sydney Archdiocese Plenary Working Group Tertiary Sub-Committee hosted a consultation process for the Plenary Council for those working within tertiary ministry within the Archdiocese of Sydney at the ACU North Sydney Campus last week.

The consultation is part of the listening and dialogue process which is a key aspect of the preparation for the Plenary Council. 

The gathering was an opportunity for those working in tertiary ministry within the Archdiocese to meet to dialogue and contribute to the Archdiocese of Sydney submission to the Plenary Council. Representatives from both the Catholic and secular universities, Catholic residential colleges, academics, the CIS, seminarians and those working in post school ministry took part in the event.

The day was opened by Bishop Richard Umbers, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, who led the group in the Plenary Prayer. The listening and dialogue Session was facilitated by ACU Associate Director Church Policy, Dr Nigel Zimmermann.  Following the session, the group joined the ACU campus community for Rosary and then Mass celebrated by Bishop Umbers in Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel on campus.

Father Anthony said: “We were delighted with the great turn-out to the Tertiary Sub-Group Consultation, hosted by ACU on our North Sydney Campus. We welcomed people from across the tertiary sector in Sydney, sharing with us their hopes and ideas about the Church’s ministry and mission among higher education students and staff.”

“ACU hosted lecturers, institute leaders, clergy and seminarians, students and professionals, who have a huge amount of wisdom to share with the Church in preparation for the Plenary Council in 2020, and we have captured their thoughts for a submission to the Church.”

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“It came out very clearly that formation and mission were at the heart of people’s concerns, and we will be meeting again to unpack those topics further,” said Father Casamento.

Dr Zimmerman said: “The Church in Australia is travelling towards the Plenary Council sessions of 2020 and 2021 with much hope and wisdom for her common life and the way that our mission is carried forward. In the Archdiocese of Sydney working groups are conducting Listening & Dialogue sessions on different themes, and ACU jumped at the opportunity to host the very first one.”

Encouraged by the conversation by the Listening and Dialogue session and the great conversation in the room, a second Plenary Council Tertiary Sub-Group Consultation will be held in November.

  • This article supplied by Australian Catholic University

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