As our preparation for the 2nd Assembly to gather again at the Vatican this October, the international reform communities called two online synodal gatherings with a hundred plus reform-minded people from around the world who joined with a few delegates. As a delegate, Sr. Elizabeth Davis from Canada held nothing back as she shared her hopes and concerns for the coming second round of the Synod. To listen, click here.
It is our hope that the results of these gatherings will be helpful to all the Synod delegates and to the synodal process itself. Click here to view the results from all the breakout rooms of these online Synodal gatherings.
The top issues named by all the breakout rooms in both sessions were women to be treated with equality and open inclusion of all in our Church. Nearly all identified the need for lay representatives to be required to serve on the parish and diocesan councils with deliberative decision-making authority, the need for formation of both clergy and laity becoming more adept at being a synodal Church, essential need for seminaries to be revamped, and the importance of Small Christian Communities to be recognized as an official part of the Church. To see an earlier synthesis of all our synodal gatherings throughout the first months of this year, click here. It represents a consensus of multi-cultural, multi-generational reflections from around the world.
Pre-synodal gatherings occurring in September
Selection of Church Leadership Wednesday, September 11
African Continental presentation Saturday, September 14
North American Continental presentation Monday, September 16
Oceana Continental presentation, Wednesday, September 18
Empowerment of Local Church Communities Wednesday, September 25
ACTA National Conference with ICRN Saturday, September 28
European Continental presentation will come as written reports
Latin American Continental Synod TBA
For greater detail about each event, click on each date on Our Universal Calendar to see the description and the times in your locale.
Your Donations of any kind are 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. 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 begun to genuinely join our voices together behaving as a synodal Church. Let us now stay abreast of what is happening with each stage of the Synod from now through 2024 and beyond. The real work of becoming a synodal Church is still ahead of us. It is crucial that we stay involved in the process. Thank you again to all who joined in any of our synodal sessions. We will keep you informed and continue to gather online as a community.
On behalf of the international reform communities,
Rene Reid, CCRI Director