Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has announced to pastors and his curia staff to begin preparations for a diocesan synod to be held next year. Among the bishop’s mandates for the synod is to put in diocesan statute his vision of defining the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois as a “stewardship and decipleship” diocese.
Bishop Paprocki said an opening ceremony will be held in January at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. The exact date has yet to be determined that will kick off the fourth diocesan synod; the first since 1963. Previous synods were held in 1953 and in 1889 when the diocesan see was Alton.
“There’s great significance to having a synod. What comes out of a synod helps to shape the life and direction of the diocese for at least the next 10 years,” said Bishop Paprocki.
The bishop explained that the word synod, which is rooted in Latin for “meeting,” is a “group of selected priests and other Christian faithful ... which offers assistance to the diocesan bishop for the good of the entire diocesan community ... .”
After informing the prebyteral council of his decision, Bishop Paprocki’s first task was to appoint a preparatory commission. It will be led by diocesan Vicar General Msgr. David Hoefler. Father Christopher House, diocesan chancellor, will serve as secretary of the synod. Others appointed to the committee include Father Kevin Laughery as notary of synod and Michael Christie, chairman of the diocesan pastoral council and parishioner of Blessed Sacrament in Springfield, and others.
“I want to get as much broadbased, grassroots involvement in this as possible,” said Bishop Paprocki. Under canon law, the composition of the diocesan synod will include deans of the seven deaneries, presbyteral and diocesan pastoral council members and representatives of consecrated religious.
Bishop Paprocki outlined the synod timelene following its January 2017 opening to include various committees that he will appoint, listening sessions held in the deaneries, online input and feedback and a solemn closing of the synod in November 2017 at the Cathedral where the statutes discussed during the synod will be promulgated by the bishop.
“It’s all about our future as a church,” Bishop Paprocki said.