Penang Diocesan Synod 2016 Report

PENANG DIOCESAN SYNOD 2016  REPORT

Theme: “Walking together”

Participants from Kota Bharu:

Fr. Francis Andrew, Gerard Yeo, Joseph Wang, Sr. Carol, Nicholas Martin

Date of:  Sunday, May 1 – Tuesday May 3 2016

Venue: St. Anne’s Church, Bukit Mertajam

Welcome  and Exhortation

Welcoming speech by Fr. Jude Miranda, Chairman of the organising committee who gave us the introduction, orientation, direction and process for the synod.

Instead of the Keynote address, Bishop Sebastian  made an Exhortation- summarising the main points in his keynote address:

·         The purpose of the synod is to set the direction for the next 10 years, by the process of3 R’s – Recalling, Review and Renew

·         Recalling the last time the Diocese met and assembled in 2010 (Diocesan Pastoral Assembly -mid-term review)

·         Dr. Terence Gomez will be touching on Global trends and Malaysian realities

·         PMPT questionnaire-the survey findings on various aspects, ministries and life in the church to be presented by Dr. Steven Selvaraju.

·         Pope John Paul introduced the term, that is very dear to us: “The Spirituality of Communion.”

·         Under Pope Francis – ‘The joy of the gospel’ and ‘ The Mercy of God the Father’ permeated our lives.

·         Recalling the joy that in this diocese, we were sent out as missionary disciples in Oct 2014.

·         Our youth today are in need of direction and purpose. We need to witness the resurrected Christ to them

·         Almost every group has been invited (Ministries, Apostolates, ecclesial groups including meditation groups, Covenant communities, Charismatic renewal etc.)

·         We are here as a family, as one church, one body, celebrating our rich and complex diversity as one.

Programme and Sessions attended.

Day 1

·         After the Bishop’s Exhortation, the first evening program continued with a short history of the Peninsular Church 1976 – 2016 followed by a Video presentation of this journey. 1976 – Arggionomento, 1986- PMPC I held in Port Dickson, 1996 – PMPC II in Plentong, Johor and PMPC III – Kuala Lumpur.

Report on the Penang Diocesan Pastoral Assembly (PDPA) 2010.

·         A summary report of the PMPC survey findings based on the responses from Clergy, Youth and parishes was well presented by Dr. Steven Selvaraju, director of PDPI (Penang Diocesan Pastoral Institute)* (detailed findings can be found in the Penang Diocesan Synod Booklet.)

·         The last session for the night was a very positive presentation of our Strengths, Opportunities and Aspirations (what we want the Church in Penang Diocese to become in 10 years time) *( details in PDS booklet.)

Finished at 10.30 pm.

Day 2

·         The keynote address on Global Trends and Malaysian Realities by Prof Terence Gomez, a well-known academician from MU, who traced the history of economic systems in UK.US and other countries, why and how. Etc. Interesting and offered a look at our Malaysian realities to make us aware of importance as Catholics/Christians to be on guard against a change in policies and Islamization.

·         After Lunch, we were assigned groups to discuss and deliberate on priority issues within the groups in clusters under 8 categories such as, inter-religious dialoq, family life, BEC’s, formation,unity, etc. Each category had to choose 2 main priorities to be forwarded to the Bishop for consideration, and may eventually be discussed at the PMPC IV.

·         After the hard day’s work, we were treated to a sumptuous dinner of nasi beriani, and fellowship, meeting new friends, reunions with old, and after dinner, entertainment by delegates from various parishes. The highlight was the dramatization of the College-General Vietnamese Martyrs by some of the seminarians.

Day 3

·         The presentation of Cluster deliberations at the Plenary Session was held after breakfast and Lauds.(Morning Prayer)

·         This was followed by responses from the participants based on the question: “How or what do you think the Catholic Church will be in ten years time in 2026?” There were many responses from all categories and parishes until there was not enough time for more responses.

·         The Bishop then presented his final speech, “Walking Together in the Way forward”. He said he was filled with joy at the working of the Holy Spirit, and he was happy to welcome the Anglican Bishop Charles and Tan Sri Mohan, president of the Hindu Sangham, who accepted his invitation to witness the closing ceremony of the Penang Diocesan Synod.

·       

            The Diocesan Synod ended with the celebration of the Eucharist.

·         After lunch, we travelled back from Bukit Mertajam, reaching Kota Bharu before 8.00 pm.

Report by Joseph Wang

3 May 2016