Join prominent Australian broadcaster Geraldine Doogue as she follows two big events in the life of the Catholic Church in Australia and worldwide. Australia's Plenary Council concluded in 2022 but the deliberations will continue to shape the Church in the years to come. The global synod launched by Pope Francis is also shaping a modern, synodal Church. Geraldine talks with other Catholics about the challenges and hopes in a Church still seeking what matters. She also explores the emerging opportunities for leadership and creative commitment that is set to become a hallmark of this new stage in Church life.
After almost four years, at home and in Rome, Plenary Matters is packing up...and preparing for a new venture!
Following her coverage of the funeral of Pope Francis and the conclave that elected Pope Leo, Geraldine reflects on Australia's plenary council, the world synod and what's still to come. And Julie has recorded it all in a book about to be launched along with a new podcast, which we can finally announce!
Recommendations:
Geraldine's Eureka Street (https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/what-the-church-needs-from-pope-leo)article, ABC interview (https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/global-roaming/bonus-vatican-foreign-minister-paul-gallagher/105254310)with Vatican foreign minister Paul Gallagher, and Compass episode (https://iview.abc.net.au/video/RN2411H009S00) on the conclave
Mark O'Connor, 'What might we expect from Pope Leo?' (https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/what-might-we-expect-from-pope-leo)
Michael Sean Winters on the synod implementation document (https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/ncr-voices/new-vatican-document-calls-catholics-move-forward-together-synodality)
Time's 'The Making of an American Pope (https://time.com/7298083/pope-leo-xiv-robert-prevost-american/)'
Mauricio Lopez speaking in Sydney on 23 July (https://parracatholic.org/events/bishop-vincent-presents-mauricio-lopez-23-july/) and with Geraldine in Melbourne on 30 July (https://www.garrattpublishing.com.au/event/lecture-helder-camera-book-launch/), along with the book launch of Reasons for Hope: Hélder Câmara, Global Catholicism and the Australian Church (https://www.garrattpublishing.com.au/product/9781923095199/)
Thanks for your support, find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/470527097325405/), and please keep listening!
14 Apr 2025
Handing on the baton: Next generation Catholic leaders
Who will carry the Australian church’s mission into the future? And how will the next generation of lay Catholics be accompanied to lead the church’s vital education, health, social and spiritual ministries, especially in regional and rural communities?
‘Lay people are running on empty when it comes to the critical decision making they’re being called into in 2025,’ says Virginia Ryan. She's inaugural CEO of the Catholic Leadership Foundation, recently launched by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in response to the call of Australia’s Plenary Council and the global synod for lay Catholics to be formed for mission in a church which has prioritised the formation of ordained and consecrated members.
Mentioned in this episode:
Article (https://catholicoutlook.org/cardinal-mcelroy-prays-for-popes-health-recalls-his-appeals-for-peace/) on Cardinal McElroy
Synod final document summary in The Tablet (https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/118555/spread/4?rc=c63e19f7-da07-46fb-a26b-16ca683f6659-), 2 Nov 2024, and whole document on synod website (https://www.synod.va/en/news/final-document-of-the-xvi-assembly.html)
Cardinal Grech’s letter (https://www.synod.va/en/news/accompanying-the-implementation-phase-of-the-synod.html)on the accompaniment process of the implementation phase of the synod
Enquiries about the Catholic Leadership Foundation can be emailed to ceo@catholicleadershipfoundation.com. Follow Plenary Matters (https://www.facebook.com/groups/470527097325405) on Facebook, and stay tuned for our new name – and look – still to come!
4 Apr 2025
Politics of Hope? Election 2025
As Australians prepare to vote, how can our Catholic tradition help us to reflect on what matters? And how might the concept of synodality in the church influence broader relationships and decision making in the contemporary society?
Join Geraldine and two seasoned observers of the Australian church and society, John Warhurst and Eva Skira, for a thoughtful discussion on faith and politics today.
Amid polarisation and a changing world order, is synodality, as John says, ‘something that we as a church have to offer at the moment’?
Mentioned in this episode:
Professor Anna Rowlands’ Trócaire lecture, 'A Politics of Hope and Catholic Social Teaching as a Guiding Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO7KxHxSiwI)'
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference federal election statement, Called to Bring Hope in the Year of Jubilee (https://mediablog.catholic.org.au/catholics-have-vital-role-in-shaping-australias-future/)
National Catholic Education Commission federal election document (https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/media-centre/federal-election-on-3-may-what-you-need-to-know-to-support-your-local-catholic-school/)
John Warhurst’s Eureka Street article, 'Synodality and the federal election: What should the bishops say? (https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/synodality-and-the-federal-election--what-should-the-bishops-say)'
CathEvents (https://cathevents.org.au/) online hub
Let us know your suggestions and feedback via the Plenary Matters (https://www.facebook.com/groups/470527097325405)Facebook page.
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