Bishop-designate Robert Brennan recently said that the synod now allows him to assimilate to the Diocese.

The Diocese of Brooklyn's incoming bishop claimed that the worldwide synod is not a hurdle for him. He instead described this period as a "blessing," as it lets him become familiar with the Diocese.

Knowing Diocese Quickly

The Tablet reported that Bishop Brennan is the current head of the Diocese of Columbus. He will, however, cement his authority in the Diocese of Brooklyn during his installation.

The installation ceremony of Bishop Brennan will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 30. He will take on the post in time for Brooklyn's Synod on Synodality preparation phase.

"[The synod] has a practical matter of doing what Pope Francis has asked us to do," he said. 

As mentioned, Bishop Robert believed the synod will be an opportunity to "know people relatively quickly." He explained that the transition period from one Diocese to the other is "kind of quick."

But he maintained that he does not want to prolong his adjustment in his new home Diocese. The Brooklyn bishop-designate stressed that he wants "to feel at home pretty quickly."

The Diocesan Synod Phase

According to the report, Pope Francis spearheaded a synod opening Mass on Oct. 10. This was to mark the start of the Synod 2021-2023.

Meanwhile, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio opened Brooklyn's Diocesan phase on Oct. 9. He is the current and retiring bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The first phase kicks off a two-year period that will encompass the national phase. This will also include the continental phase.

The Holy Father will then assemble the bishops for the global Synod on Synodality. This will happen in October 2023.

 

The Diocesan phase will reportedly focus on communicating and listening to the Catholics. Thus, Bishop Brennan has green-lighted 28 listening sessions for the Diocesan synod.

 

Each of the 22 deaneries of the Diocese will be required to have a listening session. Deaneries are the clustering of Diocesan parishes based on locations.

 

The Tablet interviewed Father Joseph Gibino, the evangelization and catechesis vicar.

 

Father Gibino will also facilitate the synod together with Sister Maryann Seton Lopiccolo. Sister Lopiccolo, on the other hand, is the episcopal delegate for religious.

 

According to Father Gibino, the Diocese already began the listening sessions in every parish. He reiterated that parishes will be required to provide a report on the listening sessions.

 

Following that, delegates from every parish will gather for deanery listening sessions. This is the time that the bishop designate will be involved with the process.

 

Bishop Brennan believes that deaneries will help him engage with people from various parishes.

 

About Diocese of Brooklyn

 

As per its website, the Diocese of Brooklyn has been meeting the needs of Catholics since 1853.

 

The Diocese reportedly oversees the faithful in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. The faith community serves more than one million Catholics in both boroughs, the website said.

 

Furthermore, the Diocese is a diverse congregation with a multicultural population. It also reportedly administers more than 150 parishes and nearly 30 ethnic ministries.

 

More from Crossmap:

 

Archdiocese of New York begins Diocesan phase of October 2023 Synod of Bishops