The Discussion Group, a group of new Christians who met between 2015 and 2022 to continue learning about the faith and all that following Jesus entails. ​Each month a different speaker led a discussion on a range of subjects from the various Gospels and scriptures to bio-ethics. Since 2019 they met online, and most speakers were recorded. Do watch the below content, it's interesting watching! 

Recordings of our discussions 

Grief to Grace
Wednesday 25th May's discussion led Daniel Weatherley on a new programme that offers integrated spiritual and psychological healing for those who have suffered sexual, emotional or physical abuse, including victims of clergy abuse.

Syro-Malabar Rite
Wednesday 27th April's discussion led by Matthew Thomas, from Chichester parish. The history and rituals of the Syro-Malabar Rite​ of the Catholic Church, practised by over 4 million people today.

​Praying with the Old Testament
Wednesday 23rd March's discussion led by Robert Hamilton CJ.

Women ‘s role in the 21st century Church.
Wednesday 23rd February's discussion led by Helen Floyd and Rhiannon Parry Thomas.

Refugees - Good News or Bad News? How do we respond in the light of the Gospel?
Wednesday 20th January's discussion led by Karen Goldsmith who taught and worked for the diocese for many years. Now retired, she works as a volunteer supporting refugee aid.

It's all about the translation!
Wednesday 20th October's discussion led by David Beresford, director of the Catholic Bible School at Nutbourne: "It's all about the translation!" A discussion in preparation for the new lectionary coming into being.

Oberammergau 358: faith, fear & wellbeing
​Wednesday 29th September's discussion led by Roz Frampton, entitled “Oberammergau 358: faith, fear & wellbeing” Imagine Pagham village putting on a 5 hours’ play throughout the summer every ten years in thanksgiving to God for coming through Covid-19. Oberammergau villagers responded this way when illness threatened their lives 358 years ago.

Sufficiency: living with Limitation
Wednesday 20th May's discussion lead by Fr Rob Esdaile to helps us  to see how we can action the Pope’s teaching. 
​Rob is well known as a speaker on Justice and Peace topics and the current Parish Priest of Thames Ditton RC parish. 

Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis' vision for the Church and the world today
Wednesday 28th April's discussion led by Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ who takes us a step further in Pope Francis’ teachings with an introduction to “Fratelli Tutti”, the important Encyclical of 2020, which explains the papal vision for the Church and the world today.

Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together
Wednesday 24th March's discussion led by Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald MAfr, an expert on Inter Religious Dialogue leads us in conversation on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, a document signed by Pope Francis and Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in February 2019.

Women in the New Testament
​Wednesday 24th February's discussion lead by Kathleen O’Gorman, RCIA Catechist here at Bognor & Slindon parish, lecturer at St Mary’s University and St John’s seminary, leads us in a conversation about the key roles women play in the gospels and the early Church.

The Eucharist, Object or Activity?
Wednesday 27th January's discussion lead by Fr Tom O'Loughlin, Professor of Theology at Nottingham University, and priest of A&B Diocese. Discussing is the Eucharist an object or an activity, then leading to asking Would inter-Communion with other churches help renew our appreciation of the Eucharist?

Vatican 2: The Council that changed our Catholic lives/us/the Church.
​A talk from Angela Wills. Former member of Portsmouth Diocesan Pastoral Formation Team, now works as a Spiritual Director and member of the Diocesan Spirituality Formation Team and RCIA Catechist.