During a recent visitation, Fr. Peter Gallagher SJ, Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Britain, met with colleagues from the eight Jesuit parishes to discuss the conference's preparatory programme, which aims to engage the wider community in ongoing discussions about fostering a more inclusive, participatory Church.
The planning process will begin with parish meetings in May and June, followed by regional gatherings in September. In November, over 100 delegates will convene at Highgate House in Northamptonshire for a three-day conference to compile the results of these discussions and strategize on how to implement the Synod’s recommendations.
The recent Synod on Synodality, held in Rome in October 2024, sought to promote increased lay participation in Church life, though it left key issues unresolved, such as the ordination of women as deacons, setting the stage for further discernment.
Fr. Peter Gallagher SJ, Provincial of the Jesuits in Britain, said:
“During my recent visitation, I saw how deeply our Jesuit parishes are committed to creating a more inclusive and participatory Church. The recent Synod in Rome has challenged us to deepen this mission, and this conference is a key moment to gather, listen, and discern the way forward. I see this as an important moment of shared discernment, where we come together to respond to God’s call."
Br. Ken Vance SJ, Delegate for Pastoral Ministries, said:
“This is the sixth Jesuit Parishes Conference, which meets every three years. Over that time, greater collaboration between Jesuits and parishioners has been a major topic. Now that the Synod has made this a necessary part of parish life, the November conference will explore ways of making this a reality.”
The eight Jesuit parishes in the UK are: Farm Street in Mayfair, St Anselm’s in Southall, St Ignatius in Stamford Hill, the polish residence and parish at Walm Lane, St Wilfrid’s in Preston, St Peter’s and St Joseph’s at Stonyhurst, Sacred Heart in Edinburgh, and St Aloysius in Glasgow. You can find out more about our parishes and outreach here.
