BackYou are warmly invited to the launch of
LEADERSHIP AFTER THE SYNOD
by Anne Benjamin, Charles Burford
Friday 14 August 2026
5:30 pm (AEST)
If synodality is to amount to anything substantial, it will need people to lead it. And those talents won’t emerge like magic, miraculously. Though this book might broker some real ‘miracles’ of personal growth, to serve the Church of the future. Let’s hope!
—Geraldine Doogue
Australian journalist and broadcaster
Leadership After the Synod builds on the foundations laid in Anne Benjamin and Charles Burford’s bestselling book, Leadership in a Synodal Church. With honesty and hope, they examine the gap between aspiration and practice, arguing that genuine spiritual renewal must be accompanied by effective and accountable leadership. At the same time, they offer a compelling vision of a more synodal Church – one that is inclusive, listening, mission-focused and responsive to the realities of the contemporary world.
Written for ordained and lay leaders alike, Leadership After the Synod moves beyond theory to offer practical wisdom for parishes, schools, and communities seeking to grow in collaboration, discernment and mission.
Whether you’re involved in parish or school leadership, ministry, or simply wish to understand the Church’s synodal journey more deeply, Leadership after the Synod provides an inspiring and practical roadmap for building communities that can flourish in today’s world.
Leadership After the Synod will be launched by Professor Br David Hall, Dean, La Salle Academy for Faith Formation & Religious Education, ACU, with a blessing by Bishop Vincent Long.
Marnie Butler, Deputy Principal Curriculum, Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, Sydney, will MC the event.
We hope you can celebrate the launch of Leadership After the Synod.
The book will be available for purchase on the night.
EVENT DETAILS
TIME: 5.30 – 7:00 pm AEST
WHERE:
1 Marist Place
Parramatta NSW
COST: Free
REGISTRATION:
Click on the REGISTER HERE button below.
AUTHORS
Anne Benjamin DSG
Anne is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Western Sydney and an Honorary Professor at Australian Catholic University (ACU). She brings extensive experience in teaching, leadership, governance and consultancy across education, higher education and the Church, both in Australia and internationally, including Tonga, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and India. Her work has involved collaboration with Public Juridic Persons, the Australian Council of Churches, the Lutheran Church of Australia and Sydney Anglicare. From 1997 to 2005, she served as Director of Schools in the Diocese of Parramatta and is a foundation consultant for ACU’s Biographical Dictionary of Australian Catholic Educators. Her publications include Children of the Kingdom; Storymakers; Catholic Schools: Hope in Uncertain Times (co-edited with Dan Riley); Saffron and Silk: An Australian in India; Gemstones (poetry); Not Forgotten: Australian Catholic Educators 1820–2020 (co-edited with Seamus O’Grady); Leadership in a Synodal Church (with Charles Burford); and After All This Time: Reflections on Jesus.
Charles Burford
Charles is a retired academic and former Professor at Australian Catholic University (ACU), as well as a Visiting Research Scholar at Pennsylvania State University and Fordham University in the United States. He has worked as a teacher, administrator, consultant and speaker across the university, education, health and business sectors in Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Italy, Sweden and Australia. Charles is widely recognised for his work in leadership formation, having developed, implemented and led ACU’s first program for Catholic educational leaders in 1980. This initiative grew into the largest postgraduate program in educational leadership in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. In 2008, he received the Willower Award of Excellence from the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) in recognition of his contributions to ethics and leadership. Charles has published widely and presented conferences, podcasts and professional development programs on the role of ethics, morals and virtues in leadership. He is co-author, with Anne Benjamin, of Leadership in a Synodal Church, which received the Garratt Publishing ‘Book of the Year Award’. Beyond his professional life, Charles represented Canada in international rugby. He is married to Dianne and has three adult children and ten grandchildren.
LAUNCHER
Br David Hall FMS
Br David is Dean, La Salle Academy for Faith Formation & Religious Education at Australian Catholic University. Previously, he spent 30 years as a practitioner in the Catholic education sector. He has been a principal of several Catholic schools; primary and secondary, co-educational and single-sex. Br David is involved in the governance of independent Catholic schools as a member of boards and councils and also conducts workshops and other professional learning activities in the areas of spiritual formation and leadership. He is leading an extensive professional development program for Catholic school leaders across 22 countries in Africa.
