Pope Francis has announced the 10 non-bishop members chosen from the Oceania region for the upcoming Synod of Bishops.
The XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will gather in Rome in October this year and also in 2024.
Pope Francis selected the members from a list of nominees, seeking to create a cross-section of the Church in terms of age, sex, vocation, region and other demographic factors.
One of those selected by Pope Francis to represent Oceania at the Synod of Bishops is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Broken Bay, Kelly Paget, a role she has held since 1 July 2021.
“I have been quite overwhelmed by my selection as a non-bishop member for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, and the gravity of my appointment by Pope Francis has not been lost on my family or I,” Kelly said following the announcement.
"Being part of this synodal journey, which we have been walking since 2021 has already been an extraordinary privilege. I pray that I can continue to listen to the Spirit, and engage in the process being faithful to Christ’s Mission for us,” Kelly said following the announcement.”
“There was no shortage of faithful and qualified people in Oceania who could bring their lived experience to the two sessions of the Synod of Bishops,” said Bishop Anthony who was elected president of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania earlier this year and will also attend the Synod sessions along with other presidents of continental episcopal conferences.
“Our region is one of the most diverse in the world, when you consider the 20 or so nations in this corner of the globe. That diversity enriches the Church in Oceania and it will do so at the Synod gatherings in Rome.
“I am sure this membership will help amplify the voice of the Catholic population.
“And I am delighted Kelly will be part of this important gathering.
“For a number of years Kelly has served the Diocese in her role as Youth Leader, and more recently as our Chancellor while also playing an important role in the Plenary Council Coordinating Committee of the Second General Assembly of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference last year.
“Kelly will bring a great deal of experience, knowledge, skill, and of course a deep faith to the gathering.
“We are a young Church in comparison to many other parts of the world, but we are a Church of people of many and varied talents, which will now feature more prominently on the global stage,” Bishop Anthony said.
The 10 Oceania non-bishop members appointed by Pope Francis are: Mr Manuel Beazley, New Zealand; Dr Trudy Dantis, Australia; Mr John Lochowiak, Australia; Fr Denis Nacorda, New Zealand; Mrs Kelly Paget, Australia; Sr Mary Angela Perez RSM, Pacific; Fr Sijeesh Pullenkunnel, Syro-Malabar Eparchy; Dr Susan Sela, Pacific; Ms Grace Wrakia, Papua New Guinea/Solomon Islands; Professor Renee Kohler-Ryan, Australia.
Five experts and facilitators have also been appointed from Oceania: Dr Sandie Cornish; Br Ian Cribb SJ; Adjunct Professor Susan Pascoe, who served on the Synod of Bishops’ methodology commission; Fr Asaeli Raass SVD; and Fr Ormond Rush, who served on the Synod of Bishops’ theological commission.