Very Reverend Dr David Ranson has wrapped up his time in Rome, meeting with Pope Francis, following the conclusion of the International Meeting of Parish Priests.
Pope Francis spent an hour with the parish priests gathered from around the world, as the priests put questions to him following on from the discussions held in the meetings in the days prior.
The Holy Father greeted each priest individually in conference room above the vast Paul VI Audience Hall, including Fr David.
“My words to him were simple: Grazie per tutti (Thank you for everything),” said Fr David.
It was just part of a very significant day for the Holy Father, who was also due to meet with the King of Jordan and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
“He entered the theatre in his wheelchair but transferred himself to the chair on the dais for the seven questions to be put to him from the meeting out of the 100 that were suggested from the whole group,” said Fr David.
“Fr Paul Crotty’s question on the relationship between priests and bishops in light of the scandal of sexual abuse was the final question to be asked. The pope took each one as a catalyst for his own teaching and spent an hour or so with us, concluding by commissioning each of us to be ‘ambassadors for synodality’ in our countries and signing, in our presence, a letter to the Parish Priests of the world.”
The priests then celebrated a beautiful Mass at the Chair of St Peter in St Peter’s Basilica with Cardinal Grech, concelebrated with Cardinal Tagle, and Bishops Marin and David.
Fr David spent the final afternoon touring Rome and catching up with old friends.
Fr David wrote to the people of the Diocese of Broken Bay at the conclusion of his time in Rome. A full copy of his letter is available here .