Conclusion of the Diocesan Phase of Synod 2023

Abu Dhabi. 

The diocesan phase of Synod 2022 in the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia concluded with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration at 7.00 pm held on Friday 20 May. The celebration was presided by His Excellency Bishop Paul Hinder. The event marked the wrapping up of more than a six month long synodal  “active listening process” which commenced in the Vicariate in October 2021.

                         

Faithful at all levels were invited to participate in the synod process through all the parishes of the Vicariate. Every parish conducted the Synodal listening process at the local level and forwarded their inputs through reports submitted to the Vicariate Synodal Coordination Team. The five member Vicariate Synodal Coordination Team comprises of Fr. Darick D’Souza OFM Cap. (coordinator), Vicky Najaz, Perviz De Souza, Mathew Thomas and Dr. Bibian Ofoegbu and Pascal Melwyn.

                        

The synodal committee then consolidated and synthesized the parish reports to draft the Vicariate Synodal Report which will be sent to the local Bishop’s Conference (CELRA) and also to the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops in Rome. 

Just above 85,000 responses were received out of which many are reports of group discernment. Almost 150,000 people across the different parishes, nationalities, occupations and age groups in the Vicariate participated in the Synodal Proces. The responses were collected in response to the Synod Questionnaire which acted as a guide to facilitate the listening process and to self-evaluate how effectively the Church in the Vicariate journeys together. 

A copy of the Vicariate Synodal Report which will be sent to the local Bishops Conference (CELRA) can be downloaded here. 

In his homily during the Eucharistic Celebration, Bishop Paul reminded the faithful that the compilation of the report does not mark an “end” of the synodal process, but the process of listening and journeying together set in motion by the synod should continue at all levels in order to fully reap the benefits of the synod. 

Listen to the Bishop’s homily here. 

View the photos.