SYNOD TIMELINE

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.