The Catholic Diocese of Goroka holds Diocesan Pastoral Assembly recently.

By: Fr. Sengol Jeyaseelan

Goroka: The Catholic Diocese of Goroka successfully conducted its Diocesan Pastoral Assembly from 19–22 January at Goroka, bringing together clergy, religious, and lay representatives to reflect, evaluate, and plan the pastoral direction of the Diocese.

The Assembly was facilitated by Rev. Sr. Gaye Lennon, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia & Papua New Guinea, whose guidance and experience greatly enriched the process. The Assembly officially opened with a Holy Mass celebrated by His Lordship Bishop Valentine Gryk, SVD, who encouraged participants to embrace renewal, unity, and shared responsibility in the mission of the Church. Each day of the Assembly consisted of four structured sessions, combining prayer, reflection, discussion, and planning.

Day One focused on parish and diocesan report submissions, and during this session, Sr. Gaye introduced the use of a web spider evaluation tool, a new and innovative method for many participants. This tool helped the Assembly clearly identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges within the Diocese. Participants appreciated the approach, as it allowed honest reflection and a shared understanding of the current pastoral reality.

On the second day of the sessions, Sr. Gaye highlighted a message drawn from the Homily of Pope Leo XIV delivered on 29 June 2025, emphasizing the call for renewal. She reminded participants that “we must follow new plans where everyone can receive new life, and this renewal will bring something new into the life of our communities.” This reflection set the tone for deeper discussion and discernment throughout the day.

Throughout the Assembly, Sr. Gaye consistently encouraged open discussion, active participation, and shared decision-making. Members were given ample opportunity to voice concerns, share experiences, and propose pastoral priorities. Through prayerful dialogue and collective discernment, the Assembly identified two key pastoral priorities for the year:

1. Family

2. Catholic Faith and Life

These priorities reflect the Diocese’s commitment to strengthening family life and deepening faith formation amid contemporary challenges.

The Diocesan Pastoral Council strongly emphasized the values of listening, dialogue, participation, and walking together as one Church. These values remain at the heart of the Diocese’s ongoing synodal journey. Many participants described the Assembly as a powerful moment of reflection, wisdom-sharing, and renewed commitment to the Church’s mission.

Speaking at the Assembly, Sr. Gaye Lennon encouraged members to continue working together in unity, reminding them that synodality is not an event but a way of being Church rooted in listening, discernment, and shared responsibility.

One of the Assembly members, Mr. Laynord, shared that the experience helped participants better understand their role in the Church’s mission. He noted that the open discussions and collaborative planning strengthened a sense of ownership and commitment to pastoral work across the Diocese.

The Diocesan Pastoral Assembly concluded on 22 January with a Holy Mass, during which Bishop Valentine Gryk, SVD, formally blessed the Diocesan Pastoral Plan and presented copies to all members. In his closing message, the Bishop expressed gratitude to the facilitator and participants, encouraging everyone to faithfully implement the pastoral priorities with dedication and hope.

The Assembly marked a significant step forward for the Catholic Diocese of Goroka, strengthening unity, renewing vision, and setting a clear pastoral direction for the future.