Manuel Beazley is one of three New Zealand delegates gathered in Rome for the Synod Assembly.  The Synod participants prayed together with the Holy Father and leaders from various faith traditions to profess our common baptism and our common hope for the Church and for the worId. Following the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil some 300 of the Synod participants were taken in 11 buses to Sacrofano, north of Rome, to the Fraterna Domus to begin a 3-day long retreat to prepare for the Synod. Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, has delivered talks centred on the Transfiguration, leading the Synod participants to transition from “I” to “We”. The talks can be viewed on the Vatican News website.

The Cardinals, Bishops, priests, religious and lay men and women have been enjoying this time to get to know one another and begin to form friendships. Fr Timothy suggested to them that it is only when friendships are formed that we can be free to share our convictions and our doubts.

Archbishop Paul, Fr Dennis and Manuel have been placed in English speaking groups yet each of our groups are ethnically and culturally diverse. This is the beauty of the Catholic Church.

We are holding you all in prayer and asking also for your prayers for us.