Preparing the way for Diocesan Assembly

In a letter to the faithful, Archbishop O’Regan said the 2022 Assembly on October 21 and 22 would be informed by the recommendations and subsequent feedback from the 2021 gathering, as well as the discernment of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Plenary Council outcomes.

“The 2022 Diocesan Assembly will build on the 2021 recommendations and provide opportunities for formation, skill-building and strategic planning,” he wrote. “It will also be an opportunity to look at the results of the Plenary Council and how they will be incorporated into local and Diocesan life.”

Archbishop O’Regan said assemblies would become a “regular fixture of Diocesan life” with at least one more planned for 2023. “After that, assemblies may occur every other year with parish or deanery assemblies encouraged on the alternate years,” he said.

Peter Gates, deputy national director of Catholic Mission, the official international mission aid agency of the Catholic Church, will be the keynote speaker at the 2022 Assembly.

A member of the facilitation team for the Fifth Plenary Council for the Catholic Church in Australia, Mr Gates has worked in leadership and management positions across a broad section of key organisational responsibilities and departmental roles.  He also has served as board member for a number of not-for-profit organisations.