Diocesan Synod
"Journeying Together
in Christ - Caminando Juntos en Cristo"
October 11-13, 2004
| What is a Synod? | |
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The word synod means, literally, an intentional coming together on the way. In ecclesiology, the concept of synod connotes a coming together in response to the call of the Holy Spirit, proclaimed through the Diocesan Bishop, into an harmonious communion of dialogue. Its purpose is to promote not only our common good as a diocesan family, but also the good of the individual parish communities, as well as the interests and well being of the Church universal. The synod achieves this purpose through ample and liberal discussion leading to the preparation of pastoral initiatives, practical provisions and measured directives for a well ordered apostolate. It is of the very nature of Synod that the Diocesan Bishop, as the one who presides at this assembly, in virtue of his primary pastoral role as the bond of communion, engage himself actively and collaboratively in all the discussions, deliberations and dispositions of the synod so that in the synod's culmination he may endow its proposals with the full scope of his authority as the presiding pastor of the Diocese. |
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What Canon Law says about a
Synod:
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"A diocesan synod is a group of selected priests and other members of the Christian faithful of a particular church who offer assistance to the diocesan bishop for the good of the whole diocesan community according to the norm of the following canons...." (Canon 460) "All proposed questions are subject to the free discussion of the members during sessions of the synod." (Canon 465) |
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| Excerpt from Novo Millennio Ineunte - Pope John Paul II: | |
| "With its universal and indispensable provisions,
the programme of the Gospel must continue to take root, as it has always
done, in the life of the church everywhere. It is in the local churches
that the specific features of a detailed pastoral plan can be identified
- goals and methods, formation and enrichment of the people involved,
the search for the necessary resources which will enable the proclamation
of Christ to reach people, mold communities, and have a deep and incisive
influence in bringing Gospel values to bear in society and culture." (Pope John Paul II - Novo Millennio Ineunte, no. 29) |
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McD: 7/15/03
 Diocese
of Sacramento |
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