National Pre-Synodal Assembly to take place tomorrow in Athlone

17 Jun 2022

  • Journalists are asked to register with the Catholic Communications Office

You, or a representative, are invited to attend a media briefing during the gathering of the National Pre-Synodal Assembly.  For journalists wishing to attend, please contact the Catholic Communications Office on [email protected] to register your interest.  Details:

When              Saturday 18 June 2022 from 10.00am – 5.00pm

Where            Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath and at the Clonmacnoise Monastic Site, Co Offaly

Media access

Media Centre will be available throughout the day for use by journalists.

At 9.50am there will be brief access for media to film delegates before their morning deliberations begin at 10.00am.  Discussions from 10am – 1pm will be private to facilitate a dialogue which can be as open as possible.

At 1.00pm a media briefing will take place in the Sheraton Hotel.  Dr Nicola Brady, Chair of the Synodal Pathway, will facilitate this briefing along with delegates.  One-to-one interviews can be arranged.

At 1.50pm there will be brief access for media to film participants as they prepare for their afternoon deliberations.  Delegate discussions from 2.00pm – 5.00pm will be private.

At 6.00pm a Prayer Service will take place at the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise.

Photography

Photographers John McElroy +353 87 2416985 and Liam McArdle + 44 7900 107362 will be in attendance.  Please contact them directly for photographs.  Email [email protected]  and [email protected]

In attendance

Delegates from the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland; Religious Congregations; representatives from other Catholic groups and lay ecclesial associations; members of the clergy; members of the Synodal Pathway Steering Committee and Task Group.

Background

In March 2021 the Bishops’ Conference announced a synodal pathway for the Catholic Church in Ireland, leading to the organisation of a national synodal assembly. A five year timeline is envisaged for this work comprised of two phases:

  • a two-year phase of listening and discernment, and;
  • followed by a three-year phase of planning and implementation

The initial two-year phase coincides with the Universal Synod on Synodality announced by Pope Francis and taking place from 2021-2023 and so the listening work undertaken in Ireland for the Universal Synod is integrated with the preparations for Ireland’s national Synodal Pathway.  Tomorrow’s National Pre-Synodal Assembly will see diocesan delegates, and other participating groups, gathering together to prepare the national synthesis which will be sent to the Vatican to feed into the Universal Synod.

ENDS 

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long + 353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm +353 (0) 87 310 4444.