Second Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting draws on Word of God and guidance of the Holy Spirit

Members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council met last week at the Salvatorian Spirituality Centre for their second meeting to continue the Archdiocese's transition toward a synodal Church. Dr. Debra Sayce, chief of mission enhancement and outreach, stated the gathering focused on prayer, reflection, and discernment.

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Nelson Po led the opening prayer, using Ephesians 4:7-16 to remind participants that Christ provides different gifts to build up the Church. Bishop Po encouraged members to use their baptismal callings to serve communion, mission, and evangelization.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, SDB, addressed the council regarding his recent visit to Rome for discussions marking the tenth anniversary of Amoris Laetitia. He described how those meetings utilized a synodal style, bringing together bishops, cardinals, priests, religious, and lay people in small groups. Archbishop Costelloe noted that these discussions employed the Conversations in the Spirit methodology. He emphasized that all discernment within the Church must be grounded in the Word of God and guided by the Holy Spirit, following the scriptural motto from Psalm 119:105.