Portsmouth digs the footings for synod in Rome

THE Diocese of Portsmouth will hold a pastoral congress tomorrow to prepare for next year's synod in Rome on the role and mission of the laity.
The congress, being held at La Sainte Union College in Southampton, will be attended by one lay representative from each parish, two priests from each deanery, the council of priests and the diocesan pastoral council.
The main areas of discussion will be marriage and the family, ministries in the local Church and evangelisation and mission to the world.
A summing-up is to be delivered by Fr Peter Verity,. assistant general secretary to the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales.
Follow-up meetings are to be held later in different areas of the diocese to gauge local reaction to the recommendations of the Congress.