Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In late 2021 and early 2022, the Diocese of Baton Rouge responded to Pope Francis’ call for the entire Church to engage in a synodal process officially entitled Toward a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission. This three-year process began in October of 2021 with each individual diocese engaging in listening sessions in early 2022. Your participation in these sessions led to a report that was presented to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), demonstrating our local church’s commitment to journey together and to reflect upon the story of faith as experienced by the people of Baton Rouge.
While the synodal process is scheduled to conclude in October 2024, the Holy Father, through the Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops, has once again asked local dioceses to plan realizable consultative activities during this Interim Stage Synthesis. Specifically, our local church is asked to hold listening sessions regarding two specific guiding questions.
Thus, on Monday, 18 March 2024 at 6:00PM in the Ballroom of the Catholic Life Center, a listening session will be held and facilitated by Father Jamin David, my Vicar General and appointee who has led these synodal discussions. All the faithful are invited to participate. Should you not be able to attend in person, please visit the diocesan website to leave your specific feedback online. A synthesis of your feedback will be submitted to the USCCB and later forwarded to the Holy See as our local church’s contribution to this process.
Once again, we join Pope Francis in his desire for the church to “walk together,” and while there may be disagreement, I know the process will encourage listening with humility to the needs of our Church and the world.
Hope in the Lord,
Most Reverend Michael G. Duca
Bishop of Baton Rouge