By completing this form, each of us can have our reflections included in the Synod process in Rome.
John Wijngaards of the Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research explained that the Wijngaards Institute is — in the context of the Synodal Process — conducting a survey on the views of Catholics on ‘Seven Pillars of Church Reform.’ The survey includes such questions as:
- Do you believe that women should be ordained?
- That pastoral councils should be more than just consultative?
- That theologians should enjoy freedom of research and expression?
- That, in case of need, any member of the community should be able to preside at the Eucharist?
- And so on.
After filling in the form, the latest findings of the survey will be printed on your screen. It is an indication of what lives among the faithful as their “sense of faith.”
A final overview will be delivered to the Synodal Office in Rome. After responding to the survey yourself, we invite you to share this survey with your friends and contacts – Christians and non-Christians, Catholics and former-Catholics – to take part in this project.
Let’s join together in the prayer service to be held in St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 30
An Ecumenical Prayer Vigil will take place on Saturday, 30 September 2023 in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. Pope Francis and representatives of different Christian Churches will attend the vigil. The vigil is intended to unite people in praise, silence, and listening to the Word. It is called “Together – Gathering of the People of God” during which the Catholic Church will entrust the work of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops together with the people.
The official two-hour vigil will be from 5 to 7 pm Rome time. The prayer vigil will be livestreamed through Vatican Media and other networks. Pope Francis has invited brothers and sisters of all Christian denominations to participate in this “Gathering of the People of God.
It would be good if we all joined together to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Here are the corresponding times for this gathering:
San Francisco (USA – California) Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 8:00:00 am PST UTC-8 hrs
Chicago (USA – Illinois) Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 10:00:00 noon CST UTC-6 hours
New York (USA – New York) Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 11:00:00 am EST UTC-5 hours
Mexico City (Mexico) Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 10:00:00 am CST UTC-6 hours
Sao Paulo (Brazil) Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 2:00:00 pm BRT UTC-3 hours
Karachi (Pakistan – Sindh) Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 8:00:00 pm PKT UTC+5 hours
Nairobi (Kenya) Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 6:00:00 pm EAT UTC+3 hours
Dublin (Ireland)/ London (UK) Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 4:00:00 pm GMT UTC+1 hours
Paris (France) Edinburgh (Scotland)
Netherlands (Holland), Rome, Italy Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 5:00 pm CET UTC+2 hrs
Mumbai (India) Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 18:30:00 pm NZDT IST UTC+5:30 hours
Auckland (New Zealand) Sunday, Oct 1, 2023 at 3:00:00 am NZDT UTC+13 hours
Sydney (Australia) Sunday, Oct 1, 2023 at 1:00:00 am AEDT UTC+11 hours
Adelaide (Australia) Sunday, Oct 1, at 12:30 am ACST UTC +10.5 hours
Manila (Philippines) Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:00:00 pm PHSTUTC+8 hours
Corresponding UTC (GMT) Thursday Sept. 30, 2023 at 16:00:00
Sorry about the time down under, but to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, it might be worth getting up in the middle of the night.
Still time to join in the Spirit Unbounded event taking place virtually online and physically in Rome Italy and Bristol UK
To join click on
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.
Check out the program schedule: