Last week, the Archdiocesan Synodal Council’s (ASC) executive group travelled to Rome to take part in the Jubilee of Synodal teams and participatory bodies- a global celebration of synodal collaboration and mission.

Led by Mgr Philip Inch and Fr Matthew Nunes, the group included Deacon John Sargent, Jill Williams, Ultan Russell, Shirley Green, Chris Loughlin and Chris Higgins.

They joined over 2,000 delegates from Synodal teams from around the world to recognise the value in their work and affirm the commitment to building an evermore synodal Church.

Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, opened the event and reminded the group that: “In the synodal process, love expresses itself through tenderness and fidelity – tenderness to those who feel unheard or excluded and fidelity to the Church as a living body, called to grow and evolve.”

A highlight of the gathering was a special session with Pope Leo XIV, where representatives from each continent presented reports and questions.

A poignant outtake from this was Pope Leo responding to a question from a church in Africa where he reiterated the importance of mission across the world saying that we are a missionary Church and we need to listen to one another and to the word of God.

The pinnacle moment of the trip was Holy Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday morning presided by Pope Leo. The archdiocesan group were fortunate enough to be seated close to the front allowing them to fully absorb the special Mass.

During Pope Leo’s homily, he reflected on the synodal Church saying: “The supreme rule in the Church is love. No one is called to dominate; all are called to serve. No one should impose his or her own ideas; we must all listen to one another. No one is excluded; we are all called to participate. No one possesses the whole truth; we must all humbly seek it and seek it together.”

He added: “We must dream of and build a more humble Church; a Church that does not stand upright like the Pharisee, triumphant and inflated with pride, but bends down to wash the feet of humanity; a Church that does not judge as the Pharisee does the tax collector, but becomes a welcoming place for all; a Church that does not close in on itself, but remains attentive to God so that it can similarly listen to everyone. Let us commit ourselves to building a Church that is entirely synodal, ministerial and attracted to Christ and therefore committed to serving the world.”