BCELM Delegate for Evangelisation and Vice-President of the Plenary Council, Bishop Shane Mackinlay, believes the conference will empower Catholics to carry forward the Church’s evangelising mission after the second assembly of the Plenary Council.

“Through the Plenary Council journey and, more recently, through the reflections for the General Synod on Synodality, we have encountered Christ and the Holy Spirit at work in personal lives and communities around Australia,” he said. “The national conference for evangelisation seeks to highlight this local engagement, empower local dialogue and action towards evangelisation.

“We have decided to host an online gathering to ensure the conversation and content is more accessible to Catholics around Australia, regardless of their geographical location, available time or resources.”

Following the opening session in the evening of Thursday, October 20, the conference will feature two live online gatherings on both Friday, October 21 and and Saturday, October 22. Morning sessions, followed by a variety of conversation starters, will nurture Church leadership and community ministries. Afternoon and evening sessions explore the personal baptismal call of all Catholics to live the Church’s evangelising mission in the world, exploring family, ecology, public life, new media, cultural engagement and much more.

BCELM Chairperson, Archbishop Christopher Prowse said he was excited about the opportunities the conference would provide to explore the understanding, language and diversity of evangelisation in Australia, while empowering local dialogue and action.

“Evangelisation begins with an encounter with Jesus Christ, is nurtured through discipleship in our worshipping communities, and calls us all to be missionary in the world,” he said. “This responsibility is not just for those in leadership, but for all.
“This conference for evangelisation will highlight the interconnection of the missionary call of each baptised person and dynamic faith communities in fulfilling the Church’s mission to evangelise. Local communities are encouraged to host gatherings to be a part of the conference dialogue.”

Clara Geoghegan, BCELM Executive Secretary, highlighted how the conference is a new dynamic within a newly structured Bishops Conference.

“This conference demonstrates the Australian bishops’ desire for ongoing local dialogue and making national conversations more accessible,” Ms Geoghegan said.

“It consolidates previous individual national conferences for evangelisation, youth ministers, women, men and other fields of ministry. It reduces costs for everyone involved, brings national and world-leading content into our local communities, and empowers local dialogue and action which can help carry our Church forward into the future.”

Conference details can be found at www.evangelisation.catholic.org.au.