Bishop McGee travels to Rome for global Synod

Bishops from around in Rome will gather in Rome this weekend ahead of the first of two Synod meetings.

The Catholic Church in Scotland will be represented by Bishop Brian McGee, of the Diocese o Argyll and the Isles.

He said “I am very excited, although also nervous, about going to Rome for the Synod.

"The focus is to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church today.

"I have enjoyed listening to the feedback from people across Scotland and it will be fascinating to hear what people from across the world have to say."

Bishop McGee previously led a Scottish delegation, including our diocesan representative Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM, to the Continental stage of the Synod in Prague (see below video).

The Rome synod takes place from Wednesday 4 to Monday 30 October on the theme 'For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission’.

While the gathering is a Synod of Bishops, there will be participants who are not bishops including lay and religious women.

There is a wonderful opportunity for renewal of the Church at every level.

The theme is 'synodality' with an emphasis on listening to the Holy Spirit.

The main discussion theme is to ask how can the Church best listen to people and act in a way that accompanies people, including both her own members and wider society, especially the most marginalised.

Pope Francis has invited church leaders to join him in prayer on Saturday to entrust the work of the of the Synod to the Holy Spirit.

Bishop McGee added: "There is a wonderful opportunity for renewal of the Church at every level.

"The Synod process has planted seeds of hope in the hearts of the faithful and in the Church in Scotland.

"I pray for its growth and fulfilment as we enter the next phase of the Synodal Process so that the Church can continue to grow as a caring mother, and a community of hope.

"The focus however is not the participants but the Spirit and I ask for your prayers as we strive to discern.”

Recap key points of the Synod in our summary video available on our Synod playlist on YouTube. The Archdiocesan Synod Report is available here.

 

 

Bishops ask for prayers during Synod

The Bishops of Scotland have asked for prayers during next month's Synod in Rome.

They have been at the Royal Scots College in Salamanca for their annual service week, reflecting on the working document for the Synod.

It follows a meeting of diocesan Synodality representatives recently in Airdrie.

A Facebook post on the page of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland said: "(The Bishops) agreed that this is an opportunity to respond to the pastoral reality of the Church, praying together and listening to the Holy Spirit.

"At the heart of the process is prayer, discernment and openness.

"The People of God - lay faithful, religious and clergy - on every continent, needs to be involved in this Synodal process."

It continued: "The Bishops of Scotland ask all Catholics in Scotland, and Scots of all faiths...to pray for the Synod on Synodality especially during the month of October.

"All are asked to pray, every day of the Synod, the following prayer which has been invoked at Church Councils over the centuries, Ad Sumus Sancte Spiritus (see below).

Guided by Holy Spirit

Bishop Brian McGee (Argyll & the Isles) who chairs the Bishops’ Conference Synodality Group, will represent the Church in Scotland at the Synod (hear what he's said about the Synod here).

The Bishops said: "The benefits of modern technology permit everyone to participate and perhaps, for the first time, allow the fullest expression of the reforms of the second Vatican Council to bear fruit in the Church.

"At the heart of the process is prayer, discernment and openness.

From left Archbishop William Nolan (Glasgow), Archbishop Leo Cushley (St Andrews & Edinburgh), Bishop Joseph Toal (Motherwell), Fr William McFadden (Galloway), Bishop Brian McGee (Argyll & the Isles, Bishop John Keenan (Paisley) and Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB (Aberdeen).

"The beauty, goodness and truth of our Catholic faith cannot be contained by one opinion or ideology.

It appeals to the world to let the Holy Spirit guide us to the Jesus Christ, our way, our truth and our life.

"God knows what He wants for the Church more than we do.

"Through spiritual conversation we can discover and cherish that gift of faith which is open to all people of good will.

The journey of faith is rarely a straight road but requires patience and mutual support.

"It also treasures and is directed by the journey taken before us, by saints and sinners, a journey of forgiveness and renewal."

Ad Sumus Sancte Spiritus:

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.
Amen.

Marian Prayer Event - Synod 2023

With the Blessed Virgin Mary towards the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

At the request of the Holy Father, the Secretariat responsible for the Universal Synod has invited the Church around the world to hold a moment of Marian Prayer on 31 May (the Feast of the Visitation and the last day of the Marian Month of May).

It is to place the work of the Synod, especially the work of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in Rome this October, under the protection of Mary, Mother of the Church.

Bishop Brian McGee will lead a service of prayer at Carfin Grotto at 7:00pm.

The faithful throughout Scotland are also asked to join their prayers to those of the universal Church on that day. The attached resource may be used at the celebration of Mass on 31 May or adapted for other use.

7:00pm. Carfin Grotto. Synod event organised by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland.

SYNOD: National Marian Prayer event at Carfin

Bishop Brian McGee, of Argyll & The Isles, will lead a service of prayer at Carfin Grotto on Wednesday 31 May at 7:00pm.

The event is to place the work of the Synod under the protection of Mary, Mother of the Church.

It follows the request of Pope Francis who invites the Church around the world to hold a moment of Marian Prayer onthe Feast of the Visitation and the last day of the Marian Month of May.

The faithful throughout Scotland are also asked to join their prayers to those of the universal Church on that day.

The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, takes place in Rome this October.

Synod: Progress in Prague

Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM shares her experience of being part of the Scottish delegation to the Synod in Prague last week.

Watch below on or on YouTube (4 min watch). Videos from the Archdiocesan Synod playlist can be watched here.

WATCH: Scots in Prague for Synod

Two hundred delegates from across Europe are meeting this week in Prague this week for the last stage of regional discussions in the Synod.

June Clunie (Diocese of Paisley) and Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM (Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh) delivered the Synod statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland (watch below or on YouTube).

 

Bishop Brian McGee of Argyll and the Isles is leading the Scottish Delegation at the Continental Synodal Assembly in Prague this weekend.

He is be joined by:
  • Fr Gerard Maguiness, General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference.
  • Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM of St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese.
  • Mrs June Clunie from Paisley Diocese.

In addition there are nine other online participants from Scotland, representing every diocese in the country.

Archbishop Cushley is attending as president of the Family and Life Commission of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE).

Sr Anna Marie and June reflected on the second day of discussions at the Synod - hear what they had to say below or on YouTube.

 

The Assembly

The continental stage of the Synod is organised by the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, in collaboration with the Czech Bishops' Conference and the Archdiocese of Prague. It will last from 5 - 12th February 2023 and will be held in two parts:

  • 5-9 FEB: The participation of 200 delegates from 5 to 9 February.
  • 9-12 FEB: The participation of 39 Bishops' Conference presidents, or their delegates in Europe, from 9 to 12 February

Numbers

  • 156 delegates from the Bishops' Conferences: each national delegation will be composed of the President of the Bishops' Conference and 3 other delegates;
  • 44  guests have been invited directly by The Council of Bishops’ Conferences of EuropePresidency, as representatives of the most representative "ecclesial realities" at European level.
  • 390 delegates will also participate remotely (online) at the Assembly (10 for each Bishops' Conference).

Resources

  • Continental: To find out more about the Continental Stage of the Synod click here.
  • Scotland: The final synthesis of the Synodal Process in Scotland can be read here.
  • Archdiocese: The Archdiocesan Synod report can be read here.

Please pray for the success of the Continental Stage which gathers together the contributions of the Church in each European country.

They have prayed and talked together, having reached out to those who feel marginalised in the Church and society today, and having invited participation from other Churches and Faith communities and anyone moved by the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Join Archbishop Cushley on Sunday 12 Feb, the final day of the Continental Synodal Assembly for a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration at St Margaret's Chapel, The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB.

SYNOD: Scottish delegation set for Prague

Bishop Brian McGee of Argyll and the Isles will lead the Scottish Delegation to the Continental Synodal Assembly in Prague this weekend.

He will be joined by:
  • Fr Gerard Maguiness, General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference.
  • Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM of St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese.
  • Mrs June Clunie from Paisley Diocese.

In addition there will be nine other online participants from Scotland, representing every diocese in the country.

Archbishop Cushley will attend as president of the Family and Life Commission of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE).

He said: "I'm looking forward to contributing to a fruitful and constructive gathering as we build upon the Holy Father's vision of communion, participation and mission."

The Synodality group of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland has consulted with every diocese and all parties/individuals who made a submission to the National Synodal process last year. Its final synthesis can be read here.

The Assembly

The continental stage of the Synod is organised by the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, in collaboration with the Czech Bishops' Conference and the Archdiocese of Prague. It will last from 5 - 12th February 2023 and will be held in two parts:

  • 5-9 FEB: The participation of 200 delegates from 5 to 9 February.
  • 9-12 FEB: The participation of 39 Bishops' Conference presidents, or their delegates in Europe, from 9 to 12 February

Numbers

  • 156 delegates from the Bishops' Conferences: each national delegation will be composed of the President of the Bishops' Conference and 3 other delegates;
  • 44  guests have been invited directly by The Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe Presidency, as representatives of the most representative "ecclesial realities" at European level.
  • 390 delegates will also participate remotely (online) at the Assembly (10 for each Bishops' Conference).

Resources

  • Continental: To find out more about the Continental Stage of the Synod click here.
  • Scotland: The final synthesis of the Synodal Process in Scotland can be read here.
  • Archdiocese: The Archdiocesan Synod report can be read here.

Please pray for the success of the Continental Stage which gathers together the contributions of the Church in each European country.

They have prayed and talked together, having reached out to those who feel marginalised in the Church and society today, and having invited participation from other Churches and Faith communities and anyone moved by the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Join Archbishop Cushley on Sunday 12 Feb, the final day of the Continental Synodal Assembly for a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration at St Margaret's Chapel, The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB.

Join Archbishop Cushley for Adoration

Join Archbishop Cushley for a Holy Hour in Edinburgh tonight (Sunday 18 December) from 6-7pm.

It takes place at St Margaret's Chapel in the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, EH9 1BB.

The Holy Hour consists of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Vespers (evening prayer).

It is the first of four holy hours instituted by the Archbishop as a response to the Synod 2021-23.

In the Archdiocesan Synod Report he said: "Arising from the synodal process in this Archdiocese, there is, I believe, a real need to deepen the prayer life, the spirituality, and discernment of every individual in this Archdiocese.

"I invite all the faithful to come and pray with me before Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament. Together let us ask the Lord to bless our endeavours and raise up committed disciples in this Archdiocese.

"Let us pray for insight, courage, and joy in our mission as His followers. Let us be confident that He is with us and He will hear us."

Holy Hour, 6-7pm, Sunday 18 December, St Margaret's Chapel, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Free parking onsite.

Eucharistic Adoration with Archbishop Cushley

Archbishop Cushley invites Catholics to join him for Eucharistic Adoration at St Margaret’s Chapel at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.

The event is to pray for “insight, courage and joy in our mission,” and takes place 6-7pm on the following Sundays: 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March.

In the Archdiocesan Synod Report, published earlier this year, he said: "Arising from the synodal process in this Archdiocese, there is, I believe, a real need to deepen the prayer life, the spirituality, and discernment of every individual in this Archdiocese.

"I feel we may have made a start on this process this year by reinvigorating the Forty Hours’ devotion in the Archdiocese, but much remains to be done."

Holy Hour

He added: "To this end, I will institute a monthly Holy Hour at the Gillis Centre to which I invite all the faithful to come and pray with me before Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament.

"As it says in the very motto of the City of Edinburgh, Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain (Ps 127:1). Together let us ask the Lord to bless our endeavours and raise up committed disciples in this Archdiocese".

The Working Document of the Continental Stage of the Synod 2021-23 was recently published and can be read here.

Holy Hour with Archbishop Cushley. 6-7pm at St Margaret's Chapel, 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March. 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. No registration required, just turn up. Free parking onsite.

Eucharistic Adoration with Archbishop Cushley

Archbishop Cushley invites Catholics to join him for Eucharistic Adoration at St Margaret’s Chapel at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.

The event is to pray for “insight, courage and joy in our mission,” and takes place 6-7pm on the following Sundays: 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March.

In the Archdiocesan Synod Report, published earlier this year, he said: "Arising from the synodal process in this Archdiocese, there is, I believe, a real need to deepen the prayer life, the spirituality, and discernment of every individual in this Archdiocese.

"I feel we may have made a start on this process this year by reinvigorating the Forty Hours’ devotion in the Archdiocese, but much remains to be done."

Holy Hour

He added: "To this end, I will institute a monthly Holy Hour at the Gillis Centre to which I invite all the faithful to come and pray with me before Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament.

"As it says in the very motto of the City of Edinburgh, Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain (Ps 127:1). Together let us ask the Lord to bless our endeavours and raise up committed disciples in this Archdiocese".

The Working Document of the Continental Stage of the Synod 2021-23 was recently published and can be read here.

Holy Hour with Archbishop Cushley. 6-7pm at St Margaret's Chapel, 18 December, 10 January, 12 February, 12 March. 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. No registration required, just turn up. Free parking onsite.