Bishop Mark Freeman Encourages Participation in Synodality Formation Program

Bishop Mark Freeman is encouraging members of the Diocese of Ballarat to enroll in a 2027 leadership formation program focused on synodality. The program, titled "Identity and Mission in the Synodal Church," will be held in partnership with Catholic Theological College.

The initiative follows a pilot program that enrolled 20 participants and stems from themes identified during the Ballarat Diocesan Assembly in late 2024. The upcoming phase is supported by a bursary from the Therese D’Orsa Mission Fund. Participants will study the theological, ecclesiological, and cultural frameworks that inform leadership and mission within Catholic communities.

The curriculum consists of three interconnected sessions designed to help participants develop a synodal praxis project for their specific parish, school, ministry, or diocesan setting. The first session is scheduled for December 5, 2026, to establish the cohort's purpose and introduce the theological foundations of the course.