Strong lay formation the key to an outward looking Church
The training and formation of lay missionaries of the Church at all levels was high on the list of priorities for a international symposium in Rome recently, attended by representatives from Australia on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
The symposium, themed ‘Promotion and Formation of the Laity: Best Practices’ sat for three days at the end of last month, with Andrea Dean, Director of the Office for the Participation of Women, and Peter Gates, Deputy National Director of Catholic Mission attending.
The conference was run by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life and brought representatives from around the world together to discuss the importance of lay formation, timely and pertinent for the Australian Church as Plenary 2020 unfolds.
‘It was a genuine experience of sharing the successes and struggles of the real world, the real Church, with those working for the Church in Rome,’ said Ms Dean, whose office earlier this year launched the Leadership for Mission initiative, a graduate program for women, run through the Australian Catholic University.
‘As an Australian I was very conscious of how young the Church is in this country and the modest number of Catholics here,’ she said. ‘In contrast to the reports from other episcopal conferences which highlighted large-scale, national formation programs, the ‘best practice’ examples that we chose to share were targeted and localised.’
Peter Gates of Catholic Mission and Andrea Dean from the ACBC Office for the Participation of Women at the 'Promotion and Formation of the Laity: Best Practice' symposium in Rome. (Photo: DLFL)
A two-year programme offering a sustained experience of mission, Leadership for Mission supported profound growth, said Ms Dean.
‘As the program includes the opportunity to share faith in community, connect theology and life, engage in mission and reflect on God’s presence in the everyday, the women become firm friends and true spiritual companions,’ she said.
Mr Gates agreed that the Church in Australia was embracing lay formation for leadership in mission and through a wide range of ministries and vocations.
'The Plenary Council process is just one way the Church in Australia is encouraging broader participation and responding to Pope Francis’ call to be an outward-looking Church of inclusion, dialogue and encounter,’ said Mr Gates.
Catholic Mission Deputy National Director Peter Gates chats with delegates at the Rome symposium. (Photo: DLFL)
Catholic Mission will next year jointly deliver the fourth ‘Mission: one heart many voices’ conference with Catholic Religious Australia. With around 500 delegates expected, it has grown to be Australia’s premier conference on mission, delivering practical ways to live the joy of the Gospel and lead mission in professional and personal contexts.
For more information on Leadership for Mission, visit www.opw.catholic.org.au. To learn more about the 'Mission: one heart many voices' conference, head to www.catholicmission.org.au/mohmv.
