APPROVED RESOLUTIONS
SYNOD 2014
DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN
WORD
1. Be it resolved that the Bible be reaffirmed as the foundation and as an animating force of the faith of every Catholic, every family, every parish, every Ministry and every Catholic institution to facilitate the encounter with The Living Word, Jesus Christ.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese at all levels promote the use of the Bible as the inspiration of all pastoral work by implementing Biblical Animation of all Pastoral Life (ABP). [*Footnote to be added explaining Biblical Animation of all Pastoral Life]
3. Be it resolved that the diocese, at all levels, promote Lectio Divina as a way of prayer for all Catholics.
4. Be it resolved that the diocese promote biblical studies and offer opportunities for it.
5. Be it resolved that the diocese collaborate with the AEC Bishops, other Christians and the Bible Society of the Eastern Caribbean in promoting the Word of God.
6. Be it resolved that the Bible be the foundation of all catechetical and pastoral programmes.
EUCHARIST
1. Be it resolved that the Holy Eucharist be promoted as the source and summit of the life of every Catholic, every family and every Catholic institution.
2. Be it resolved that devotion to the Holy Eucharist be encouraged and nurtured in the life of every Catholic, every family, every parish and every Catholic institution.
3. Be it resolved that each parish make ministry to children an integral part of the Sunday Liturgy.
4. Be it resolved that Christian initiation programmes for all age groups be evaluated, standardized and publicised across the diocese.
5. Be it resolved that the sacrament of reconciliation be promoted and made available as a crucial encounter with Christ in all parishes.
SERVICE
1. Be it resolved that stewardship be integrated as a hallmark of service in every parish, ministry and Catholic institution and be actively promoted as a way of life for every Catholic.
2. Be it resolved that Catholic Social Teaching be promoted and embedded in the life of every Catholic, every family, every parish and every Catholic institution.
3. Be it resolved that the diocese actively promote authentic integral human development, as defined by Pope Paul VI, amongst its members and for the people of Barbados in the service of the most vulnerable.
4. Be it resolved that Christian citizenship be promoted as an essential dimension of Christian stewardship.
5. Be it resolved that the Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown articulate publicly and regularly its teachings on “Catholic Social Justice” to advocate on behalf of all in need.
OTHER
Family and Youth
1. Be it resolved that the Diocese of Bridgetown be committed to the promotion of the New Evangelisation as enunciated by the Magisterium and as outlined in the Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis.
2. Be it resolved that the Diocese of Bridgetown promote and strengthen its comprehensive youth and young adult ministry at all developmental stages.
3. Be it resolved that the youth and young adults, where eligible, be included in the activities of all leadership groups and ministries of the parish and diocese, and allowed to actively serve and have a vote in decision making.
4. Be it resolved that parishes offer ongoing discipleship formation programs for existing parishioners and new members. This is to facilitate the faithful in deepening their discipleship to Christ Jesus.
5. Be it resolved that the Diocese of Bridgetown have comprehensive programmes for the evangelization of the family.
6. Be it resolved that the diocese actively promote and defend the Catholic understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage within the context that love, marriage and family go together.
7. Be it resolved that the Diocese of Bridgetown actively educate, promote and support the renewal movements (E.g. Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Choice, Youth 2000, Alpha, Cursillo and Christian Meditation) through all its parishes to empower all Catholics in the service of the New Evangelization.
Vocations
1. Be it resolved that the diocese, at all levels, actively promote a culture of vocation to facilitate a response to the call to priesthood, diaconate, religious life and consecrated lay life.
Communications
1. Be it resolved that the diocese further develop its framework for the effective sharing of information among all levels of the diocese using all available media.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese use all available means to promote the Good News of Jesus Christ.
3. Be it resolved that there be a main and central place where dates for events or any activities be recorded within the Diocese.
Formation
1. Be it resolved that the diocese implement comprehensive training programmes for all people in ministry, especially catechists and that they be mandated to participate.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese implement a comprehensive catechetical formation training programme that includes all age groups, appropriate methodologies for special needs and able-bodied persons.
Catholic Schools
1. Be it resolved that the diocese ensure high quality, holistic formation in our Catholic Schools.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese promote Catholic education for all ages and sexes to assist parents in fulfilling their obligation in the formation of their children as Disciples of Christ in the service of the New Evangelization.
Finance
1. Be it resolved that the diocese, parishes and all Catholic organizations publish annual stewardship reports and quarterly updates.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese implement an annual Bishop’s Appeal and a diocesan fund raising event supported by all parishes and Catholic organizations to support the work to be undertaken by Synod 2014.
Policies
1. Be it resolved that the diocese develop and establish policies to support and embed its mission, vision and core values at every level and for all vital aspects of the organization.
NOTE: It was resolved that all the new resolutions brought to the synod by individuals today (18th October, 2014) and not dealt on the floor, will be reviewed and where applicable treated as strategies for implementing the existing resolutions.
1. Be it resolved that the Bible be reaffirmed as the foundation and as an animating force of the faith of every Catholic, every family, every parish, every Ministry and every Catholic institution to facilitate the encounter with The Living Word, Jesus Christ.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese at all levels promote the use of the Bible as the inspiration of all pastoral work by implementing Biblical Animation of all Pastoral Life (ABP). [*Footnote to be added explaining Biblical Animation of all Pastoral Life]
3. Be it resolved that the diocese, at all levels, promote Lectio Divina as a way of prayer for all Catholics.
4. Be it resolved that the diocese promote biblical studies and offer opportunities for it.
5. Be it resolved that the diocese collaborate with the AEC Bishops, other Christians and the Bible Society of the Eastern Caribbean in promoting the Word of God.
6. Be it resolved that the Bible be the foundation of all catechetical and pastoral programmes.
EUCHARIST
1. Be it resolved that the Holy Eucharist be promoted as the source and summit of the life of every Catholic, every family and every Catholic institution.
2. Be it resolved that devotion to the Holy Eucharist be encouraged and nurtured in the life of every Catholic, every family, every parish and every Catholic institution.
3. Be it resolved that each parish make ministry to children an integral part of the Sunday Liturgy.
4. Be it resolved that Christian initiation programmes for all age groups be evaluated, standardized and publicised across the diocese.
5. Be it resolved that the sacrament of reconciliation be promoted and made available as a crucial encounter with Christ in all parishes.
SERVICE
1. Be it resolved that stewardship be integrated as a hallmark of service in every parish, ministry and Catholic institution and be actively promoted as a way of life for every Catholic.
2. Be it resolved that Catholic Social Teaching be promoted and embedded in the life of every Catholic, every family, every parish and every Catholic institution.
3. Be it resolved that the diocese actively promote authentic integral human development, as defined by Pope Paul VI, amongst its members and for the people of Barbados in the service of the most vulnerable.
4. Be it resolved that Christian citizenship be promoted as an essential dimension of Christian stewardship.
5. Be it resolved that the Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown articulate publicly and regularly its teachings on “Catholic Social Justice” to advocate on behalf of all in need.
OTHER
Family and Youth
1. Be it resolved that the Diocese of Bridgetown be committed to the promotion of the New Evangelisation as enunciated by the Magisterium and as outlined in the Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis.
2. Be it resolved that the Diocese of Bridgetown promote and strengthen its comprehensive youth and young adult ministry at all developmental stages.
3. Be it resolved that the youth and young adults, where eligible, be included in the activities of all leadership groups and ministries of the parish and diocese, and allowed to actively serve and have a vote in decision making.
4. Be it resolved that parishes offer ongoing discipleship formation programs for existing parishioners and new members. This is to facilitate the faithful in deepening their discipleship to Christ Jesus.
5. Be it resolved that the Diocese of Bridgetown have comprehensive programmes for the evangelization of the family.
6. Be it resolved that the diocese actively promote and defend the Catholic understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage within the context that love, marriage and family go together.
7. Be it resolved that the Diocese of Bridgetown actively educate, promote and support the renewal movements (E.g. Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Choice, Youth 2000, Alpha, Cursillo and Christian Meditation) through all its parishes to empower all Catholics in the service of the New Evangelization.
Vocations
1. Be it resolved that the diocese, at all levels, actively promote a culture of vocation to facilitate a response to the call to priesthood, diaconate, religious life and consecrated lay life.
Communications
1. Be it resolved that the diocese further develop its framework for the effective sharing of information among all levels of the diocese using all available media.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese use all available means to promote the Good News of Jesus Christ.
3. Be it resolved that there be a main and central place where dates for events or any activities be recorded within the Diocese.
Formation
1. Be it resolved that the diocese implement comprehensive training programmes for all people in ministry, especially catechists and that they be mandated to participate.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese implement a comprehensive catechetical formation training programme that includes all age groups, appropriate methodologies for special needs and able-bodied persons.
Catholic Schools
1. Be it resolved that the diocese ensure high quality, holistic formation in our Catholic Schools.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese promote Catholic education for all ages and sexes to assist parents in fulfilling their obligation in the formation of their children as Disciples of Christ in the service of the New Evangelization.
Finance
1. Be it resolved that the diocese, parishes and all Catholic organizations publish annual stewardship reports and quarterly updates.
2. Be it resolved that the diocese implement an annual Bishop’s Appeal and a diocesan fund raising event supported by all parishes and Catholic organizations to support the work to be undertaken by Synod 2014.
Policies
1. Be it resolved that the diocese develop and establish policies to support and embed its mission, vision and core values at every level and for all vital aspects of the organization.
NOTE: It was resolved that all the new resolutions brought to the synod by individuals today (18th October, 2014) and not dealt on the floor, will be reviewed and where applicable treated as strategies for implementing the existing resolutions.