The Very Reverend Dr David Ranson, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia in the Diocese of Broken Bay, has touched down in Rome, representing Australia at the International meeting of Parish Priests.
The meeting is part of the Synod on Synodality and is a chance for more than 300 priests from around the world to gather to discuss their experience of Synodality within their own parishes.
The initiative is responding to the indications of the participants in the First Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops last October, who suggested listening to the voices and experiences of parish priests in their synodal journey.
Fr David Ranson was chosen by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference to attend the global gathering of priests, along with Fr Paul Crotty from the Diocese of Port Pirie.
The priests will meet over three days.
During the first three days, the priests will dialogue and hold Conversations in the Spirit, working in small groups. There will also be time for prayer during the day, as well as Eucharistic Adoration and Mass.
On Thursday, the priests will meet with Pope Francis before celebrating Mass at St Peter’s Basilica.
Fr David wrote to the people of the Diocese of Broken Bay after the first day of meetings. A full copy of his letter is available here.