Latest News and Pastoral Letters from Bishop Mark
Our Diocesan Synodal Journey
MESSAGE FROM BISHOP MARK O’TOOLE
A two-year ‘synodal’ process is taking place in the Catholic Church from October 2021 that culminates in the final Synod Gathering of Bishops in Rome in October 2023. The overall theme is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission”. Pope Francis will open the Synodal Journey in Rome on 10th October. We will be launching our diocesan phase on Sunday, 17th October with Mass in our Cathedral. This will be followed a week or so later with an online gathering to introduce the Synodal journey.
The first phase of the Synodal Process is a time of listening in local churches. We propose that this phase takes place in parishes during the Season of Advent. The aim is to foster as broad a consultation as possible, reaching out to integrate the voice of the poor and the excluded, and not only engaging those who have some role or responsibility within the local parish. Our Diocese has already started its Synodal journey through some discussions and submissions made through ‘A Precious Place of God’s Grace’ and we will build on what has been shared so far.
Each parish will have scope to adapt the listening phase to local circumstances and guidance and resources will be provided. The process will culminate in a Diocesan pre-synodal meeting in February/March 2022.
We hope that everyone will take part in this opportunity to have a say in our future Mission
A two-year ‘synodal’ process is taking place in the Catholic Church from October 2021 that culminates in the final Synod Gathering of Bishops in Rome in October 2023. The overall theme is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission”. Pope Francis will open the Synodal Journey in Rome on 10th October. We will be launching our diocesan phase on Sunday, 17th October with Mass in our Cathedral. This will be followed a week or so later with an online gathering to introduce the Synodal journey.
The first phase of the Synodal Process is a time of listening in local churches. We propose that this phase takes place in parishes during the Season of Advent. The aim is to foster as broad a consultation as possible, reaching out to integrate the voice of the poor and the excluded, and not only engaging those who have some role or responsibility within the local parish. Our Diocese has already started its Synodal journey through some discussions and submissions made through ‘A Precious Place of God’s Grace’ and we will build on what has been shared so far.
Each parish will have scope to adapt the listening phase to local circumstances and guidance and resources will be provided. The process will culminate in a Diocesan pre-synodal meeting in February/March 2022.
We hope that everyone will take part in this opportunity to have a say in our future Mission
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WALKING TOGETHER: THE PROCESS
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KEY DOCUMENTS
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Bishop welcomes G7 leaders
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“Bishop welcomes G7 leaders”.
In an address to an Interfaith gathering at Truro Cathedral, Bishop Mark O’Toole, the Bishop of Plymouth, welcomed the G7 leaders, to the South West of England, “to our beautiful part of the world”. He expressed the hope that having enjoyed their stay, they would go on “to work more diligently for the care of our common home, and for the dignity of the poorest”. In a gathering of people of many faiths, the bishop expressed the heartfelt desire of all, “to protect God’s beautiful creation, and care more fully for our poorer brothers and sisters”. He said, “We join with people of no faith, people of good will, who hold with us, that the earth is our common home. It is entrusted to the whole human family, to be protected and passed on to future generations. We stand together to listen more attentively to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” The Bishop highlighted the teaching of Pope Francis who has called for thedevelopment of a global community of fraternity1, and urged that “a world where dignity is valued and respected through concrete actions is not just a dream but a path to a better future”.2 Bishop Mark highlighted that “Religious leaders are particularly called to be at the service of fraternity in our world. It is good for us to stand and speak together this evening. We must find other occasions, too, to speak with one another and to act together for the common good and the promotion of the poor.3 1 Fratelli Tutti #154 2 Let us dream p 132 3 Fratelli Tutti #282 |
The event was organised by CAFOD, the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development and took place in Truro Cathedral on Thursday 10th June.
Other speakers included: • Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam – Bishop of Salisbury • Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg – Senior Rabbi, Masorti Judaism • Imam Qari Asim, MBE – Chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board • Priya Koria – Hindu Climate Action Team • Fr Augusto Zampini Davies – Vatican Covid-19 Commission • Fatima Alarakah – Student and climate activist • Mikey – Eco Dharma Network • Davina Bacon – Young Christian Climate Network The full text of Bishop Mark’s text is attached. G7 Reflection There is an audio-visual recording of all the different addresses at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WWm33L_p_M Bishop Mark’s address is at 55.10 Further enquiries for Bishop Mark to Bishop’s House on (01752) 224414 or to the Bishop’s PA at bishoppa@prcdtr.org.uk |
Pastoral letter for Pentecost Sunday
“Bishop Mark on Thy Kingdom Come and the Pentecost Novena
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THY KINGDOM COME
Evangelisation Bishop’s Message for Thy Kingdom ComeTuesday, April 27th, 2021 @ 1:12 pmBishop Mark O’Toole, Chair of the Bishops’ Conference’s Department for Evangelisation and Discipleship, is supporting the global prayer initiative ‘Thy Kingdom Come’. Here’s his message of support and encouragement. Further information can be found here Thy Kingdom Come |
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Bishops Reflect on the Day of the Lord
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In a reflection entitled, The day of the Lord, the Bishops of England and Wales have thanked the Catholic community for all that is being done to animate and share our Catholic faith during this challenging time of COVID. They invite Catholics to continue to deepen and communicate Sunday as a “weekly gift from God”.
select the link to read the full reflection Day of the Lord |
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“Bishop Mark encourages Diocese in Care of our Common Home”
My dear brother and sisters,
I would like to share our first Diocesan Environmental Policy with you. This was
agreed by the Diocesan Trustees in January 2021. The policy is intended as a source
of guidance and support to parishes and schools in their work to promote a loving
care for “our common home” and to meet the ecological challenges which we all face.
The Catholic Bishop’s Conference invited us to review its own reflection document,
titled the ‘Call of Creation’, to look at our present situation and to promote good
practice for the diocese, our parishes and schools, as well as for families and
individuals. The policy is a response to that invitation and promotes serious
reflection on our relationship with God, with our neighbour and with the earth
through the way we manage our resources as a Church and School community.1
As missionary disciples, we are invited to be part of the redeeming mission of Christ,
and to approach our task with joy and gratitude remembering, “Rather than a
problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness
and praise.” (Laudato Si’ #12). Nevertheless, as individuals and as a community of
faith, we all know that there are serious environmental challenges. As Pope Francis
reminds us, we are not ‘hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth’, and we “have
grown indifferent to all kinds of wastefulness” (Fratelli Tutti #18).
Click links below to read Bishop Mark’s Pastoral letter in full and to view the Environmental Policy.
Bishop Mark’s Message on Environmental Policy
Diocese-of-Plymouth-Environmental-Policy Jan 2021
I would like to share our first Diocesan Environmental Policy with you. This was
agreed by the Diocesan Trustees in January 2021. The policy is intended as a source
of guidance and support to parishes and schools in their work to promote a loving
care for “our common home” and to meet the ecological challenges which we all face.
The Catholic Bishop’s Conference invited us to review its own reflection document,
titled the ‘Call of Creation’, to look at our present situation and to promote good
practice for the diocese, our parishes and schools, as well as for families and
individuals. The policy is a response to that invitation and promotes serious
reflection on our relationship with God, with our neighbour and with the earth
through the way we manage our resources as a Church and School community.1
As missionary disciples, we are invited to be part of the redeeming mission of Christ,
and to approach our task with joy and gratitude remembering, “Rather than a
problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness
and praise.” (Laudato Si’ #12). Nevertheless, as individuals and as a community of
faith, we all know that there are serious environmental challenges. As Pope Francis
reminds us, we are not ‘hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth’, and we “have
grown indifferent to all kinds of wastefulness” (Fratelli Tutti #18).
Click links below to read Bishop Mark’s Pastoral letter in full and to view the Environmental Policy.
Bishop Mark’s Message on Environmental Policy
Diocese-of-Plymouth-Environmental-Policy Jan 2021
Diocesan Day on Missionary Discipleship and Missionary Parishes
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Ist May – Book now. -International Speaker Michael Dopp.
About this EventYour Parish. Your Church. What does the future hold? Bishop Mark has invited Michael Dopp to draw on the themes of Missionary Discipleship as emphasised in the document, “A Precious Place Of God’s Grace”. Michael will explore how to live this out in our lives, as a parish, and throughout the diocese. For further Information |
Past Pastoral Messages & Homilies
Bishop Mark expresses sorrow and invites all to support victims-survivors./
Diocese-of-Plymouth-Environmental-Policy January 2021
A Precious Place of God’s Grace 03 November 2020
20-10-25 Pastoral Message on Anniversary of St Cuthbert Mayne and the Forty Martyrs 21 October 2020
Pastoral Message to the Diocese on Fratelli Tutti 04 October 2020
The Priestly Heart 18 June 2020
Bishop Mark’s Message to Schools of the Diocese 24 May 2020
Homily for Diaconate of Albert Lawes, 12th July 2020
St Boniface – Model of Courage and Mission 05 June 2020 Equal from Day One 13 June 2020 The Priestly Heart 19 June 2020
“Return from Exile” 27 June 2020
Reflection on the 5th Anniversary of Laudato Si
Diocese-of-Plymouth-Environmental-Policy January 2021
A Precious Place of God’s Grace 03 November 2020
20-10-25 Pastoral Message on Anniversary of St Cuthbert Mayne and the Forty Martyrs 21 October 2020
Pastoral Message to the Diocese on Fratelli Tutti 04 October 2020
The Priestly Heart 18 June 2020
Bishop Mark’s Message to Schools of the Diocese 24 May 2020
Homily for Diaconate of Albert Lawes, 12th July 2020
St Boniface – Model of Courage and Mission 05 June 2020 Equal from Day One 13 June 2020 The Priestly Heart 19 June 2020
“Return from Exile” 27 June 2020
Reflection on the 5th Anniversary of Laudato Si