Father Newton talks about his role as Episcopal Vicar for Synodality

Bishop Joseph A. Williams has announced the appointment of Father Thomas A. Newton as part-time Episcopal Vicar for Synodality.

Father Newton, who has been pastor of Saint Damien Parish in Ocean City since 2020, will continue in his diocesan roles as Director of Clergy Personnel, Advocate for Priest’s Wellness, and Chair of the Committee for the Accompaniment of Survivors.

To promote a synodal diocesan Church, Father Newton in this role will assist Bishop Williams in facilitating healthy communication and listening with and within the diocesan staff and committees; diocesan departments, boards and commissions; pastors; and parish councils and staffs, he said.

Through collaboration, communion, walking together, listening and prayer, these encounters will facilitate the mission of the Church of South Jersey, he continued.

In line with the vision of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, synodality begins with “a Church that accompanies the people, a Church that listens to the people, a Church that responds to the people,” Father Newton said.

“We need a Church that listens well, from the heart, and speaks effectively from the heart, so that good, faithful decisions are made” for the Diocese, he said.

Indeed, synodality “enhances the Bishop’s information to make good decisions,” he added.

Father Newton also emphasized the practice of prayer and faith-sharing that is encouraged in diocesan and parish meetings and gatherings to grow the synodal Church in South Jersey.

In breaking open Scripture, practicing Lectio Divina and time in prayer, “everyone has the opportunity to share how they are, and where they are on their faith journey.”

With the Spirit of God present in these moments, he said, the faithful “coming together as the people of God, praying together, sharing their hopes, dreams and visions for the future, will make our Diocese stronger.”

“When people are heard and listened to, it helps their spirit, their desire to be more Church,” Father Newton said.

With renewed ardor after these encounters, the faithful will be prepared to go out as missionary disciples, another important goal of a synodal Diocese of Camden.

“Bishop’s strong desire is to have a missionary Church that learns what it means to have a relationship with Christ, and takes that relationship with Christ out into the world,” he said.

Ordained to the priesthood May 24, 1988, Father Newton, 67, served as pastor of the newly-formed Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill, from 2009 to 2020; and Saint Peter Celestine from 2004 until it was merged as part of Christ Our Light.

He was Vicar for Human Services for the Diocese from 2001 to 2004.

Father Newton served as parochial vicar at the parishes of Saint Jude, Blackwood (1988-1991); Incarnation, Mantua (1993-1998); and Saint Agnes, Blackwood (1998-2001).