Him better known.
Diocesan core team announced for Synod 2021 – 2023
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OAKLAND – Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has appointed Father Jimmy Macalinao as the diocesan point of contact for Synod 2021- 2023, a universal synod called by Pope Francis which opened on Oct. 10, 60 years after Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council.
Synod is a process used by many churches, rooted in the history of the Catholic Church. A Greek word, Synod can be interpreted as “walking together.” The International Theological Commission (ITC) describes synodality as “the path along with the People of God walk together. Equally, it refers to the Lord Jesus, who presents Himself as ‘the way, the truth and the life’ (Jn 14:6) and to the fact that Christian, His followers, were originally called ‘followers of the Way.’ … Synodality ought to be expressed in the Church’s ordinary way of living and working.”
Father Macalinao said the Diocese of Oakland has been, and is, experiencing synodality already. “There are many processes, especially in recent years, which we could offer as examples of synodality in our diocese,” he said,” but the one which is truly diocesan-wide is our Mission Alignment Process, or MAP.” The MAP is intended to allow all Catholics to have input on the future of the Church in the diocese. A diocesan wide survey is currently underway and can be found at https://www.catholicleaders.org/oaklanddmi.
The universal Synod 2021 – 2023 will culminate in a gathering of bishops from throughout the world in 2023. Leading up to that meeting, every diocese in the world is engaging in a consultation process this fall and next spring. The results of that consultation in the United States will be given to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to be compiled and forwarded to the Holy See.
“The preparatory documents emphasize the process must consider both existing structures and new opportunities for consultation,” Father Macalinao explained. “Our diocese has been, and is continuing, to grow in our appreciation of synodality. I am very encouraged by the fact that our Mission Alignment Process is coinciding with the universal Synod. I believe it is an affirmation from the Holy Spirit that we are already journeying together!”
The universal Synod 2021 – 2023 will culminate in a gathering of bishops from throughout the world in 2023. Leading up to that meeting, every diocese in the world is engaging in a consultation process this fall and next spring. The results of that consultation in the United States will be given to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to be compiled and forwarded to the Holy See.