Meeting at the Biblio Roma cafe next to the castle in Rome, our day began meeting Christina Reymer and her friend Sonja Grace for coffee. Sonja had recently authored a book on recovering from sexual abuse.
Colm Holmes with We Are Church Ireland had just arrived and we enjoyed the afternoon catching up with him and several other members of reform groups: Mariam Duignan with the Winjgaards Institute, Katie Lacz with Women’s Ordination, Bernadette Raspante who serves as a spiritual director in Chicago, Margaret Mary Moore, and others.
In the evening, led by Colm Holmes, we gathered to prepare for the Equality Prayer Vigil.
To the tune of “O Tannenbaum (Oh Christmas Tree), we marched to St. Peter’s Square and with St. Peter’s behind us, we sang:
Equality, Equality, We all seek Equality
Equality for Women all
Equality for Laity
Equality, Equality, We all seek Equality.
Equality, Equality, We all seek Equality
Equality for Gay and Trans
Equality for Married folk
Equality, Equality, We all seek Equality.
Equality, Equality, We all seek Equality
Equality like Jesus preached
Equality for All the world
Equality, Equality, We all seek Equality.
As we saw the police arriving most of us quickly dispursed. However, we heard back over dinner at Casa Bonas Pastor that two of our members were detained.
Over dinner, Luca Badini arrived to join us. So many gathered around the tables: Christian Weisner, Martha and Gert Heizer with We Are Church, Chrisina Reymer and Sonja, Miriam Duignan, and Edson Silva from San Paulo. I’m shown sitting with Marianne and Sam from Dignity.
One important reconnnection this evening was with Brendan Butler from Ireland. Ten years ago, when we were first establishing CCRI, Brendan stood single-handedly by himself with us as he fought to have us accepted into the world of Church reformers. It took a while but, as you can see, CCRI has been well received.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s events. We’ll bei back at Casa Bonus Pastor to hear Sr. Joan Chittister and Mary McAleese speak to us about our role as synodal members of our Church.
Join in the Spirit Unbounded events taking place virtually online and physically in Rome Italy and Bristol UK
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All of us working with Root & Branch are thrilled that Dr. Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland and Canon Lawyer, Benedictine Sr. Joan Chittister, one of the world’s foremost spiritual speakers and writers, and Steven Newcomb, Shawnee-Lenape author of ‘Pagans in the Promised Land’ and scholar of the Doctrine of Discovery/Domination will headline live for us in Rome and Bristol.
SR JOAN CHITTISTER
Sr Joan Chittister, OSB, is one of the most influential religious and social leaders of our time. For over 50 years she has passionately advocated on behalf of peace, human rights, women’s issues, and monastic and church renewal.
A Benedictine sister of Lake Erie, she is an international lecturer and award-winning author of 60 books. An articulate social analyst and influential religious leader, she is courageous, passionate, and a much sought-after speaker, commentator, counsellor and clear voice across all religions.
DR MARY MCALEESE
Dr Mary McAleese was two term President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. The theme of her presidency was Building Bridges and working for peace and reconciliation. She is a leading critic of Catholic Church teaching on among other things, women, homosexuality, Church members’ human rights, children’s rights, corporal punishment, church governance and episcopal accountability. Broadcaster and academic lawyer, she has a licentiate and doctorate in Canon Law.
STEVEN NEWCOMB
Steven T. Newcomb (Shawnee, Lenape) is a scholar, educator, author and film producer focusing on inter-generational trauma, cultural survival. Newcomb is co-founder and director of the Indigenous Law Institute and director of Original Nations Advocates. He is internationally recognized for his more than three decades of research and writing on the Vatican papal bulls of the fifteenth century. His primary focus is the theological doctrine now commonly known as the Doctrine of Christian Discovery and Domination.
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Your donations are most appreciated
YOUR GIFT – IN ANY AMOUNT – IS PRICELESS
When you make a donation to support our cause, you join with others who are investing in restoring our Church to what Jesus intended. If you are part of the movement to stop contributing to your local parish and/or diocese, you may want to take advantage of the end-of-year tax deductions by contributing to CCRI in its stead. The dollars we receive are used to run our programs and to reach a broad spectrum of the People of God. We are focused on reaching out to the Faithful, reform activists, young adults as well as those who feel abandoned by the Church, to mention just a few. Your personal contributions in offering your suggestions and your donations are most appreciated.
We have a good grasp of what we’re up against while still trusting the Spirit to guide this synodal process. Looking forward to coming together with all of you and those to whom you extend an invitation.
On behalf of the CCRI Strategy Team,
Rene Reid
CCRI director