On the final day of the Synod of Bishops, immediately after Pope Francis approved the Final Document, he asked that when we returned home we be witnesses to synodality. This very thought had been in my mind and prayers during the previous week. Since the synodal process began in 2021, I became convinced that it was indeed the work of the Spirit and, if embraced, would lead to a renewal of the Church and greater fidelity to her mission. I had experienced that synodality involved listening which leads to conversion and mission. Discerning God’s Will is essential and an excellent method of communal discernment is Conversation in the Spirit.
Last year the Scottish Bishops discerned how to best implement synodality. Among the decisions agreed was that the use of Conversation in the Spirit be encouraged at every level of the Church. Catriona Fletcher (Director of the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow) and myself were entrusted with this task. We invited others who had already expressed an interest in Conversation in the Spirit to join us and we discerned that a great catalyst would be a Festival of Synodality focussing on Conversation in the Spirit.
The Festival of Synodality will be held at Glasgow Caledonian University on Saturday June 6th, 09:00-16:00. As well as celebrating the many fruits of the Spirit which are already flourishing in the Scottish Church we will also be nourished by several inspiring witnesses to the Synod: Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ of Down and Connor Diocese who for many years had already been encouraging communal discernment as well as Fr David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul who were both facilitators at the Synod and leaders of the Jesuit Discerning Leadership Programme. The entire afternoon will allow participants to personally experience Conversation in the Spirit. Lunch will be provided with plenty of time for mingling and sharing.
Everyone, laity and clergy, is welcome to join in the Festival. We believe that those actively involved in
Church life such as members of Diocesan Curia, Diocesan and Parish Pastoral Councils, Faith organisations, schools and family life will be enriched.
Tickets are £65 and hopefully parishes and dioceses will appreciate that since the Festival will benefit their workers and volunteers they may financially support their involvement.
Bishop Brian McGee
