Historical Timeline – Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle 2021 Synod

Synod 2021

Historical Timeline

2023 – Bishop Michael Kennedy installed as ninth Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle

2021 – Appointment of Fr Greg Barker as Diocesan Administrator

2021 – Councils absolved due to Bishop’s death

2021 – Death of Bishop William Wright

2020 – Pandemic – COVID 19

2019 – First Session of Diocesan Synod “Building the Kingdom of God Together”

2019 – Office of Safeguarding established

2018 – Establishment of the Council for Mission

2018 – Plenary Council announced, “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?”

2017 – Many Parts. One Body. One Mission.

2014-16 – Regional Gatherings with Bishop Bill Wright

2013 – Bishop’s Leadership Forum

2012 – Exploring Models of Parish Lay Leadership

2011 – Appointment of Bishop William Wright as eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

2011 – Retirement of Bishop Michael Malone

2011 – Deanery Gatherings with Bishop Michael Malone

2010 – Diocesan Assembly – “Moving Forward Together”

2008-10 – Consultative Process on Stewardship Planning

2008 – Establishment of Diocesan Stewardship Committee

2008 – Focus Group Meetings

2007-08 – Stewardship Forums

2007 – Diocesan Assembly – “It’s Time to Celebrate”

2007 – Working Parties

Workers for the Harvest Evangelisation Faith Formation Sacrament of Reconciliation Assembly Representation

2005 – Diocesan Child Protection and Professional Conduct Unit established

2004-05 – Diocesan Assembly – “Towards the Dawn”

2003-04 – Regional Assemblies in 10 Pastoral Regions of the Diocese

2000 – Diocesan Assembly to consider the “New Wine into Fresh Wineskins” Pastoral Planning Report

1998-99 – Inter-Parish Strategic Planning

1997 – Diocesan Assembly – Review of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, and the Permanent Diaconate, and “Preparing Parishes for Change” Consultations

1996 – Discussion Paper – “Principles and Models for Re-structuring Parishes”

1995 – Diocesan Assembly to discuss the Diocesan Policy on the sacraments of Initiation

1995 – Bishop Michael Malone becomes Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle

1995 – Retirement of Bishop Leo Clarke

1997 – Renaming of Diocese to Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, and transfer seat of Diocese to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton

1992 – Diocesan Pastoral Plan – First Diocesan Synod to involve lay and religious adopted first Diocesan Pastoral Plan

1988 – Plan for alternative models of parish staffing

1985 – Council of Priests initiated diocesan pastoral planning

1976 – Consecration of Bishop Leo Clarke

1975 – Death of Bishop John Toohey

1962-1965 – Four sessions of Vatican II, the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church

The Second Vatican Council was convened by Pope John XXIII

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