02/06/2026
Caritas Diocese of Brentwood are currently in Rome, attending an event organised by the Catholic Social Action Network.
Michael has reported on Day 1 (Monday):
After a morning trip to Castel Gandolfo and Borgo Laudato Si', the CSAN Aspiring Leaders Residential opened with a talk from journalist and papal biographer, Austen Ivereigh.
Austen's keynote discussed the important continuity between popes Francis and Leo XIV, especially in their approaches to mission, synodality and taking a pastoral approach. Looking at the Latin American bishops' approach to discernment, Austen drew a distinct line through Pope Francis' pontificate and into Leo's, especially how adopting a synodal approach would allow us to proclaim the Gospel in our time.
We then had input from Fr Matthew Nunes of Liverpool Archdiocese and School for Synodality. Fr Matthew explored how synodal discernment could help bring about leadership rooted in understanding and authenticity.
