Plenary Matters Geraldine Doogue
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- Religion och spiritualitet
Join prominent Australian broadcaster Geraldine Doogue as she follows two big events in the life of the Catholic Church in Australia and worldwide. Australia's Plenary Council concluded in 2022 but the deliberations will continue to shape the Church in the years to come. The global synod launched by Pope Francis is also shaping a modern, synodal Church. Geraldine talks with other Catholics about the challenges and hopes in a Church still seeking what matters. She also explores the emerging opportunities for leadership and creative commitment that is set to become a hallmark of this new stage in Church life.
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Plenary Matters S6 Ep 4: A living hub in the church
Hear from some inspired leaders, fresh from an international conference in Canberra, about a church alive in Catholic education today.
Barbara Coupar from Scottish Catholic Education Service, Ross Fox from Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn and Peter Woods from the ACU La Salle Academy have all seen the confidence-building of students, teachers and leaders where conversations about faith are encouraged in and outside the classroom.
And they want the conversations to extend beyond schools to the whole church.
Read more about the conference, A Current of Grace: Renewing Catholic Schools as Centres of Evangelisation.
Share your ideas and suggestions via the Plenary Matters Facebook page. -
Plenary Matters S6 Ep 3: Bold reform in Catholic schools
Two years on from Australia’s Plenary Council, Catholic schools are taking up Pope Francis’ call for bold action in living the contemporary mission of the Church in Australia.
Deputy CEO of Catholic Schools NSW Danielle Cronin says Catholic schools are no longer immune to the challenges of social cohesion. But it’s ‘in our DNA,’ she says, to see the whole child, including the families and communities around them, as the mission of Catholic education today.
From the Diocese of Lismore to the tiny town of Wee Waa, the ‘Connected Catholic Communities’ initiative is responding to the diverse and distant needs inside and beyond the school gate. It’s a holistic model, based on partnerships – and hope.
Read La Civilta Cattolica's interview with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, ‘The Church is more than it seems’
Contact Catholic Schools NSW for more information about 'Connected Catholic Communities'
See details about the May 26 forum, 'Becoming synodal people'
Catch up also on the March forum on women deacons.
Thanks for listening! Get in touch via the Plenary Matters Facebook page. -
Plenary Matters S6 Ep 2: Timothy Radcliffe ...on hope
In this special episode of Plenary Matters Geraldine speaks about hope with Dominican priest Timothy Radcliffe during his recent visit to Australia.
Pope Francis appointed Fr Timothy as spiritual advisor to the synod on synodality and his series of talks and meditations to synod delegates set the tone for the synod’s call to journey together as a global human family.
Timothy tells Geraldine he thinks the church has something to offer a multipolar world. But it may cost us. ‘This crisis will really put us to the test whether we are the body of Christ in which the walls are broken down between north and south and east and west,’ he says.
Mentioned in the show:
Ezra Klein's interview with author Marilynne Robinson
Timothy Radcliffe's new book with Lukasz Popko, Questioning God (Bloomsbury)
See also Timothy's synod reflections and talks, Listening Together: Meditations on Synodality (Liturgical Press)
You can also catch up on Plenary Matters' coverage from Rome:
The synod gets underway
A church under pressure
History making at the synod
Letter to the people of God
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Plenary Matters S6 Ep 1: The Afternoon of Christianity
Welcome back to a new season of Plenary Matters!
Up first is renowned Czech theologian Tomáš Halík, in Australia last month to discuss his new book, The Afternoon of Christianity, with Australian Jesuit Frank Brennan. Drawing on his experience of an underground church, Tomáš calls for a deepening spirituality that goes beyond the institutional and mental borders of Christianity to meet the ‘Galilee of today’.
Is the church ready for the task?
Watch the discussion on the Diocese of Parramatta's YouTube channel, as part of the 'Bishop Vincent Presents' series, and leave your feedback via the Plenary Matters Facebook page.
Read the National Catholic Reporter's review of Tomáš Halík’s book: 'The Afternoon of Christianity' sets stage for courageous change
We’ll also post a link in future episodes to the discussion on women deacons Geraldine mentions at the end of the episode. -
Plenary Matters S5 Ep 5: What did the first assembly achieve?
Christopher White, Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, sat down with Geraldine during his recent visit to the Diocese of Parramatta to give some revealing anecdotes and insights into the synod's first assembly.
While the dismantling of hierarchy may be a step still too far for some delegates, he believes the next papal enclave will be a referendum on synodality.
He also told Geraldine any correspondence to the pope on matters like women deacons can be sent c/- Prefecture of the Papal Household, 00120 Vatican City State.
You can watch the interview on the Diocese of Parramatta's YouTube channel, as part of the 'Bishop Vincent Presents' series.
Keep up to date via the Plenary Matters Facebook page! -
Plenary Matters S5 Ep 4: Letter to the people of God
The synod released its letter to the People of God, while Pope Francis made his own intervention on the Church as 'God's faithful people.' Geraldine chats with Julie on her last day on the press floor about her experience observing on the ground and how synodality might be made more concrete in the coming months.
On Vatican News:
Synod General Assembly to People of God: 'Church must listen to everyone'
Pope: I like to think of the Church as God’s faithful people
Timothy Radcliffe's spiritual reflection, 'The seed germinates'
On National Catholic Reporter:
Francis wants the synod in every parish. Here's how to bring it to yours
Interview with Susan Pascoe on The Vatican Briefing
Christopher White's visit to Australia
Send your feedback via the Plenary Matters Facebook page.