Rome: A vibrant group of 24 Australians has joined thousands of Catholics in Rome this week for the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies, marking a significant moment in the Church’s ongoing journey of walking together in hope, dialogue, and shared mission.
The Australian delegation composed of clergy, religious, and lay representatives from dioceses across the nation is participating in a series of Vatican events celebrating the global Church’s commitment to synodality. The gathering included an audience with Pope Leo XIV in the Paul VI Audience Hall, where around 2,000 members of synodal teams and participatory bodies came together to reflect on their experiences of collaboration and discernment.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV encouraged participants to continue nurturing a “Church of listening and encounter,” urging the faithful to cultivate unity through genuine participation and mutual respect. He expressed particular hope for the Church in Oceania, calling on communities in Australia and the Pacific to lead by example in living out communion through dialogue, ecological responsibility, and service to the poor. The Pope emphasized that true synodality must extend beyond discussion and translate into concrete action to confront global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and social injustice.
Representing the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, President of the ACBC, led a thought-provoking seminar on the importance of authentic synodal decision-making. Drawing from the reflections of both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Costelloe described synodality as “a style and attitude that helps us to be Church by promoting authentic experiences of participation and communion.”
He cautioned against viewing the Church as divided between active and passive members, stating, “A truly synodal Church cannot, or at least should not, be divided into those who act and those who are acted upon. Every member is both an actor in the lives of others and one who allows themselves to be shaped by others.”
Archbishop Costelloe also stressed that genuine renewal requires not only structural reform but a transformation of ecclesial culture. “If we put all our energy into reforming structures without equally investing in renewing our culture, then very little will truly change,” he said. “Fidelity to the Gospel and to our fundamental identity as disciples of Christ must remain at the heart of our efforts. Our mission is not to remake the Church, but to ensure she remains faithful to her Lord a Church that is, above all, missionary in nature.”
The jubilee celebration featured a rich spiritual itinerary, including a pilgrimage through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, workshops, a Marian prayer vigil, and a closing Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV. Participants described the experience as one of renewal and unity, offering a visible sign of the Church’s determination to embody communion and mission in a changing world.
For the Australian contingent, the week in Rome served not only as a celebration of participation but also as a reminder of responsibility to return home with renewed conviction to build communities marked by listening, inclusiveness, and faith in action.
As the Church prepares for the Jubilee Year 2025, the Australian presence at this synodal gathering stands as a testament to its ongoing commitment to walking together with the global Church journeying in hope, dialogue, and shared mission toward a future rooted in Christ’s call to communion.