Here is the Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) for the 2nd phase of the Synod: Document-for-Continental-Stage.pdf (synod.ie). Now that we know our bishops have the document, if you haven’t already contacted your bishop, now is the time to do so. We have only a short time to participate in these consultations and return our reflections back to the Offices of the Conference of Bishops. Here is the template letter to help you formulate your own letter: Reaching Out to Bishops Asking to Be Included in Their Consultation – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org). If your bishop does not respond to your outreach, then gather your organization or a small group of concerned Christians, and, after prayerfully discerning the DCS, send a short report directly to your Conference of Bishops of what you approve in the document and what is left out that you believe should be included. As a backup, also send your report directly to the synod office, notifying them that you were unsuccessful in being included in your own bishop’s consultation: synodus@synod.va and copy Sr. Nathalie n.becquart@synod.va.
"When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion." [Ethiopian proverb]
"Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable." [Kenyan proverb]
"(The Christian faithful) have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful." (Canon 212 §3)
CCRI is also interested in helping support various causes in regions of the world by garnering the support of our entire global community for those who need support beyond their parish, organization, or locale. Send us (1) your name and affiliation, or (2) the name of your group with some description of your goals, membership, and numbers. Click here to see those organizations who have already joined together speaking out for reform of our Church.