Renata Steffens
A synodal assembly at Dromantine Retreat & Conference Centre. Photo: Courtesy of Synodal Pathway Ireland In preparation for the Synodal Gathering this coming October, members of the Pioneers have been invited to include discussions on the seven Irish Synodal Pathway Working Group themes in their meetings, Fr Robert McCabe, Central Spiritual Director for the Pioneers, told The Irish Catholic.
Fr McCabe said there are some questions he is sharing with Pioneer members in Ireland and abroad. “How Pioneers can support people in a similar pathway… the challenge of the priority questions and then trying to get people to consider speaking about them in their own little groups, their own little diocese and around the country.”
He is encouraging people “to attend synodal meetings in their parishes,” and believes that they would be able to share “some aspects of healing that certainly are part of the synodal process in Ireland.”
“[The] Pioneers have a message that connects with the Synodal Pathway”, Fr McCabe said. “And the Pioneers have been praying for people in recovery, people who feel they don’t belong because … along life’s journey [they were] told they weren’t good enough.” The priest said they don’t have representatives in the Working Groups, but he has been personally in contact with members of the Groups.
The seven working themes are the family, belonging, healing, women, youth, co-responsibility and lay ministry, and family formation and catechesis.