While eyes across the state are fixated on the Upper Hunter by-election, the Pope himself will be watching the results of another poll in the region this weekend.
Parishioners from the Catholic-Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle on Saturday voted on matters relating to the church's future in the second session of the dioceses' first synod in almost three decades.
It is the only Catholic synod process currently underway in Australia, amplifying the significance of results to the Vatican.
More than 230 commissioned synod members, aged from 19 to 87, were invited to have their say on issues including women in leadership, homelessness, the environment, communication, cultural diversity, protection for the marginalised including refugees, interfaith dialogue, and youth engagement, across sites at Aberdeen, Booragul, Hamilton, Mayfield, Maitland and Taree.
The Diocese's Bishop Bill Wright, said many of these issues had been used as topical election platforms by politicians in recent weeks, but the church had been consulting on these matters for more than 18 months as part of its synod process.
"Very frequently, synods are convened for a special purpose or particular issue. But our Diocese's synod is more akin to the Second Vatican Council, convened more generally to discuss a broad range of matters concerning the future of the church in a local context," Bishop Wright said.
The dioceses' co-chair of council for mission Lawrie Hallinan said a wide range of people were invited to take part, including parishes, schools, early education centres, Catholic Care centres, parishioners and staff.
Teenager Summer Harrison was one of the synod members who had their say on Saturday.
"I came to the synod because I think it's vital that young people have a say in the future of our church especially because we are such a minority," she said.
"I hope that some contributions that we as young people gave can influence how the leaders of the church make decisions for the future."
At the conclusion of the session, the Diocese was set to adopt 'Statements of Intent' regarding desired outcomes emerging from parishioner feedback.
"We will then gather for the third session of the synod in November and translate our Statements of Intent into action, paving a way forward at a practical and concrete level," Bishop Wright said.
