Bishop Peter Paul emphasises on "Living the Synod by Journeying with the Lord" at Pre-Synodal Meeting

MANGALURU, MAY 05: The representatives of clergy, religious and lay faithful of the diocese
of Mangalore participated in the Pre-Synodal Meeting of the diocese along with the bishop Most
Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha on Thursday, May 05, 2022 at Bendur Hall. This meeting was part
of the process for the Synod of Bishops to be held in 2023, at Rome.
The meeting was organised after the completion of the first phase of listening to and consulting the
People of God in all the parishes of Mangalore Diocese.
The meeting began with the enactment of a Konkani song on Synod by 15 people representing
all categories of people in the Church including the bishop and Synod logo at the centre. Fr
Ashwin Lohith Cardoza, diocesan Director, Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) led the
enactment.
Dr John D'Silva, Secretary, Diocesan Pastoral Parishad presented the reports, collected from
the Pre-Synod Meetings held in the parishes. He said, “The priests and the lay faithful had taken
the Pre-Synodal process very seriously at the parish level. The answers were long and
descriptive. The reports show that the priests and lay faithful were serious in the process.”
He also noted that the answers to a few questions in the Synodal process were misunderstood
and were not clear.
Rev. Fr Vijay Machado, Director, Mangala Jyothi introduced "Do This in Memory of Me", a new
book on “Understanding and Celebration of the Eucharist” authored by Rev. Dr Victor George
D'Souza, Chancellor of the Diocese. Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha released the 400 page book.
Rev. Dr Joseph Martis, Contact person for the Diocesan Synodal Process presented the
diocesan Synthesis. He briefed about the answers to be sent in the diocesan report for the
Synod of Bishops. He said, "The report to be sent to the Synod of Bishops includes the
overview of the diocese, difficulties and problems in communion, participation and mission,
proposals for journeying together and finally the review of the Synodal process in the diocese."

Further he said, "Although this is the last phase of the Synodal process in the diocese, it is not
yet over. It's ongoing." He said, " The Synodal process was a good process. It has created an
awareness among all the Catholics. A systematic formation of the adults in the Church is very
necessary. The lay leadership in the Church must go beyond the Church boundaries." Fr Martis
added.
The participants were given an opportunity to express their views on the Pre-Synodal process.
Their voices were heard loudly. Rev. Fr Clifford Fernandes, Parish priest, Cordel Church
moderated the session.
In his message Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha said, "In this Synodal process, 'Journeying together
with the Lord' is very important. When we walk with the Lord and proclaim Him in our words and
deeds we live the Synod. Listening to the Holy Spirit will help us to listen to others."
Bishop Peter Paul welcomed the gathering. Mrs Joan Monteiro, Ashoknagar compered the
programme.
The Per-Synodal meeting concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist.
The programme was hosted by Very Rev. Vincent Monteiro, Dean of Episcopal City Deanery
and parish priest of Bendur.