On the third Sunday of Lent (8th March 2026), Archbishop Peter A Comensoli will formally convoke a Synod for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The synod calls the Melbourne Church to journey together in communion, participation and mission, echoing Pope Francis’ vision of a ‘listening Church’ (Evangelii Gaudium, §31). Informed by Vatican II’s teaching, the Church is ‘a people made one with the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit’ (Lumen Gentium, §4).

There are three themes about which the church of Melbourne is being invited to discern:

· young discipleship

· missionary leadership

· formation and participation.

The synod assembly will be held across the weekend of 4–6 December 2026. Over these next months, a range of opportunities will be available for Melbourne Catholics to be part of the consultation process toward the synod.

In the synodal Church ‘the whole community, in the free and rich diversity of its members, is called together to pray, listen, analyse, dialogue, discern and offer advice on taking pastoral decisions (ITC 68) for mission’ (Final Document, §87).

Further information can be accessed

Melbourne Synod 2026 | Melbourne Catholic