SYNOD TIMELINE

Date TBC

The Synod Papers outline the 5 Key Themes that will be discussed and discerned at the 2026 Archdiocesan Synod. This session will introduce each of the Key Theme papers with members of the writing groups. This session will be helpful to all of those participating in Dialogue Week (22-28 February) to provide feedback to the Synod Papers and recommendations for action.

SARAH MOFFATT & PETER BIERER

4 February 2026
6:30PM
Online

Information and preparation session to assist parishes and communities to prepare for Dialogue Week. This session will be led by Sarah Moffatt and Peter Bierer, 2026 Synod Lead Facilitators.

DR CHRISTINA KHENG

25 February 2026
7:00PM
Alta Villa Club
281 The Parade, Beulah Park, SA 5067

Dr Christina Kheng will be in Adelaide at the end of February to work with us in our preparations for the 2026 Archdiocesan Synod and our ongoing practice of Synodality. 

Christina is from Singapore and teaches theology and pastoral leadership at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, the Loyola School of Theology, the Pontifical Gregorian University and more. She has studied variously at Australian Catholic University, Harvard and the National University of Singapore. Currently, she sits on the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences’, Commission for Synodality and been a has member of the Methodology Commission for the Synod on Synodality from 2021-2024 and served as a facilitator at the Synod General Assembly in Rome.

FR ORMOND RUSH

30 October 2025
7:00PM
Online

What does it mean to be called the People of God? What is the role of baptism in understanding our participation and responsibility to the Church and the wider world? These questions are essential to the 2026 Archdiocesan Synod, and its success into the future. This session will feature theological input from Fr Ormond Rush, a theologian and lecturer at Australian Catholic University and expert advisor to the Synod on Synodality. The session will also include a panel of speakers who will share their experience of living our their baptismal responsibility and identity as the People of God.

Fr Ormond Rush is an Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at Australian Catholic University and is a priest of the Townsville diocese, with a doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University, Rome. In July 2021, he was appointed to the commission of theologians preparing for the 2023-24 Synod of Bishops in Rome on the theme of “synodality.” He has also been appointed to the group of theological advisors for the Plenary Council in Australia in October 2021. His recent book, The Vision of Vatican II: Its Fundamental Principles was awarded First Place in the theological and philosophical studies category of the 2020 Catholic Press Association Book Awards in North America. He is currently Associate Professor and Reader at Australian Catholic University, Brisbane campus.

BR IAN CRIBB SJ

9 September 2025
7:00-8:30PM
Online

Br. Ian Cribb SJ is the Provincial Delegate, Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia. He supported the processes for the 5th Australian Plenary Council and was an expert advisor at the Synod on Synodality.

ARCHBISHOP-ELECT SHANE MACKINLAY & CHRIS COTTER

7 August 2025
7:00-8:00PM
Online

Archbishop-elect Shane Mackinlay was named by Pope Leo XIV as the next Archbishop of Brisbane. He was ordained the Bishop of Sandhurst in 2019 after 28 years of ministry as a priest of the Ballarat Diocese. Before being appointed as bishop, he had taught philosophy for twenty years, and for nearly 10 years was Master of Catholic Theological College in the University of Divinity, Melbourne. He was the Vice-President of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia and was one of the Australian bishop-delegates to the Synod on Synodality 2023-2024.

Chris Cotter is the Director of Mission and Pastoral Life for the Diocese of Sandhurst and has worked closed with Archbishop Mackinlay to establish synodal practices and participatory bodies in the diocese.

KELLY PAGET

24 July 2025
7:00-8:00PM
In-Person and Online

Kelly has been engaged in Ministry throughout her working career, particularly in the areas of Catholic education and Youth ministry. Her current role as Chancellor in the Diocese of Broken Bay and Head of Mission supports and engages the broader mission of the Church. In 2023 Kelly was chosen by the Holy Father to participate as a Non-Bishop Member in the 16th General Synod of Bishops.

SARAH MOFFATT, PETER BIERER and FR JAMES MCEVOY

24 June 2025
Zoom Webinar

Learn more about the Diocesan Synod, what makes a Synod different from a Diocesan Assembly, Synodality, and Synod membership.