An international conference takes place at St. John’s Welcome Centre, Knock Shrine, in conjunction with Notre Dame University, Australia.

Keynote speaker on both days will be Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the

Synod of Bishops. The conference will be facilitated by Prof. Eamonn Conway, now based at Notre Dame University, advisor to the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Cardinal Mario Grech will open the conference on Friday morning, with a keynote address on the theme of Synod – a global view.

Prof. Renée Kohler-Ryan of Notre Dame University, Australia will discuss our church on a missionary footing. Prof. Kohler-Ryan is a voting Member of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops representing Oceania.

Attendees will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the Synod from an Irish perspective from Rev. Declan Hurley, who has served as Co-Chair of the National Steering Committee for the Synodal Pathway in Ireland and is Vicar General of the Diocese of Meath.

Ireland’s place in the global Church will be the focus of the second day of the conference. The theme will be explored in an address by Cardinal Mario Grech and Julieann Moran, General Secretary of the Synodal Pathway in Ireland.

Dr Dermot Ryan, Director of Adult Faith Development for the Diocese of Ossory, will explore the way in which we are all called to a synodal life through our parish communities and structures. The afternoon session will take the format of a panel discussion on the topic of becoming a more inclusive Church and the day will conclude with an open forum. This is a free event, open to the public and all are welcome.

Further details are available on www.knockshrine.ie

Tel: 094 93 88100 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it