2nd Diocesan Synod of Archiocese of Goa & Daman

With a view to promote unity of  humankind and the renewal of the church in Goa and formation of new society, the second Diocesan Synod of  Archdiocese of Goa and Daman will be held at Old Goa from February 17 to 23, 2002. The synod will be inaugurated by the Archbishop Patriarch, Rev Raul Nicolau Gonsalves on February 17, 2002 at Se Cathedral. The synod will deliberate on the proposals and recommendations made in the “position paper” prepared  from the response, suggestions received, by the church authorities in the state, to their questionnaire from parishes and others connected to church — to ascertain the needs, htmlirations of the followers. Unlike the last synod which took place in 1953, where in only clergy took part, this year’s Diocesan Synod will be the assembly of 350 people consisting of priests, religious men and women and the laity who will deliberate on the “position paper” from February 18 to 23, 2002 after the inaugural session to be held on February 17. A majority of participants in the synod will be lay people numbering around 300. The synod after deliberating on the proposals and recommendations, which have been compiled by the preparatory committee and sub-committees, will formulate concrete proposals and recommendations for approval of the Archdiocese and their subsequent implementations. One of the proposals in the “position paper” for the Diocesan Synod, 2002, is the formation of the lay faithful: a broad plan for an on-going integrated human and Christian formation should be outlined and implemented as the top priority and the laity should be trained through courses, seminars and action oriented programmes.

Another proposal relating to family welfare is that Diocesan Family Service Centre should suggest concrete proposals aimed at the well being of the widows, battered wives, singles,
single parent families, unwed-mothers-to-be, girls who have been molested in or outside their
homes.

As regard to betterment of the youth, there is a proposal that there should be adequate structures in the parishes which should offer opportunities to attract the youth, not only Christian but also from other religions also, to come together and share their faith, life, concerns, questions and discoveries. The proposals as regards to the women include opening of a special cell to  tackle the various problems concerning women at the parish level, holding of awareness programmes for their empowerment and that special attention be given to uneducated women and those belonging to the backward classes.

Yet another proposal, aimed at the upliftment of the poor, is that due representation be given to the poor of the parish in all the participatory structures of the parish and diocese, formation of a parish committee to interact with the government agencies for the welfare of  the poor and giving of preference to them in admission, award of scholarships, jobs, etc in Catholic schools  and other institutions.

A proposal has also been made in relation to ministry and life of priests which states that the Archdiocese should immediately propose and implement a concrete and time bound plan for the ongoing formation of all priests regarding their human, spiritual, moral, theological and pastoral updating.
 

Another proposal as regards to the priests is that a board of reconciliation be set up to settle conflicts and problems among priests and the diocesan authorities. The church could use the services of a retired judge who could act as an ombudsman.

A clarification session is being held on Sunday, February 3, as a part of giving final touches to the week long second Diocesan Synod of Archdiocese of Goa and Daman to be held on February 17. The session will be held at Don Bosco Oratory, here, from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The preparations for diocesan synod which started in 1999 has taken over two years. A questionnaire was sent to all the parishes, religious congregations, associations of the lay appostolate, parish pastoral councils and others seeking their views on the prevalent situation of the church and Goan society and the response was compiled by different committees appointed for the
purpose and a working paper was prepared.

The working paper was again submitted to the parishes, communities of  religious institutions and association seeking their views, and the recommendations and proposals made by them
led to compiling of the “position paper”, which will be deliberated at the synod.

(Navhind Times)