I attended the Discerning Leadership Accompaniment Network international gathering in Rome from 6 to 9 March. This was the first in-person gathering since the network was convened in 2019. Retreat directors and specialists in leadership coaching and group facilitation come together in order to explore ways to renew the Society through discernment and leadership. The 2019 meeting was where I first learned about the process of spiritual conversation and communal discernment, resulting in my involvement as a facilitator for the process of communal discernment in the Japan Province.

The JCAP delegates during a visit to the General Curia. L-R: David Holdcroft SJ, Barry Denham, Non Yamauchi SJ, Edna Franco, John Dardis SJ, Christina Kheng, Dean Mason, Michael Smith SJ, and Jojo Magadia SJ

The group underwent a name change and eventually evolved into a network offering Ignatian accompaniment for church leaders. At the recent gathering, which was participated in by around 40 participants from more than 20 countries, it advanced one step further by discerning what can be done to promote Pope Francis’ invitation of a “Church journeying together”. Making use of its worldwide network, it aims at accompanying and helping the Church develop into a worldwide “Synodal Church”. “Journeying together” is easy to say, but it is a process which demands great time and patience to implement. We actually experienced this during our gathering.

Just by chance, before the gathering began, I heard that Father General had approved the Japan Province’s proposed “Province Orientations” and had told us to continue our process of communal discernment. It will require time and effort, but it will be an important step towards actualising the Universal Apostolic Preferences and a “Church journeying together”. I look forward to cooperating with the members of the Japan Province.