Newsletter – 8 October 2017

October 8, 2017

To all who support Pope Francis:

Opposition to Pope Francis encourages support to flourish

A small minority of Catholics are voicing their disquiet, opposition – even to Pope Francis’s emphasis on mercy and God’s love for all.  You may have read the recent NCR article about a lengthy document accusing Pope Francis of heresy in his Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia. Most Catholics would applaud the Papal stance that the Eucharist is not a reward for the perfect but healing for the needy.

A group of reformers from across the world met in cyberspace a week or so ago to explore how support for Pope Francis might be demonstrated.  One idea was to counter the claims of his opposition – not by way of responding to the accusers – but with a solid, theologically-based document or an open letter to Pope Francis.  The group also supported our Webmaster’s idea of launching a new website: www.WeSupportPopeFrancis.net.  She explains it thus:

Dear Friends,

I expect you have heard about the importance of ordinary people in the Church showing support for Pope Francis’s leadership and teaching. Silence only allows misinformation to fester and the papal desire for us to follow Micah: 6:8 to be suppressed.

We could spend a lot of time moaning and grumbling about the tiny minority who don’t like Pope Francis’s leadership and will try to demolish him at every opportunity. Rather than be reactive, we need to be proactive in his support. Admittedly some of us are not happy with the speed of reform and change in the institution but others would say that a considered, slow and steady pace is probably the best way to proceed. The aim of reform, after all, is to have all the people of God on side and not to exclude anyone.

A website that I envisage is not created in a day.  It is still embryonic but hopefully, with your help and input, it will grow and show what the true Catholic Christian tradition is all about.

  • There are already links and quotes to the major documents which Pope Francis has written. The website needs more. As you read the documents, do send me quotes which particularly speak to you.
  • I need positive and stimulating articles to encourage reflection and response.
  • Are you a theologian, catechist, group leader, pastor? Your insights, expertise, and pastoral experience will be very welcome.
  • I am also seeking comment and input from ordinary Catholics like myself. There is an opportunity to comment on the articles which are already on the website.
  • It would also be good to hear from friends in other Christian Churches and indeed in other religions – or of no persuasion at all.

My plan is also to link to other sites and groups who are actively engaged in supporting Pope Francis:

  • We are in contact with Religión Digital who are creating a similar website for the Hispanic world. They are gathering signatures in support of our Pope and have collected 10,500 in just a few days. No point in duplicating processes: please go there and add your signature.  (The information is in English as well as Spanish.)
  • Do let me know about other sites which discuss Pope Francis’s teaching in a constructive way. Positive criticism is all to the good, too.
  • News about communities which are implementing his words will be warmly welcome.

The meeting of reformers threw up all sorts of ideas. Time and energy permitting, we can explore them all.

You are invited to join the Facebook group and follow us on Twitter. Go to www.WeSupportPopeFrancis.net, and click on the icons in the top right-hand corner to be taken to the pages.

Please tell your friends and family about the website and social media pages. The more grassroots support the bishops see for Pope Francis’s style of leadership, the more likely it is that the next Conclave will elect someone of similar outlook.

Meanwhile please pray for the success of the website and social media platforms.

Finally, if God moves you to offer your time and talent to work on the website, please let me know – wherever you are in the world.

Best wishes

Valerie

Secretary@wesupportpopefrancis.net 

If we like Pope Francis’ leadership we need to speak out!

We recognize that Pope Francis has not moved fully in the direction some of us would like – especially as it relates to the advancement of women in the church or his response to clergy sex abuse. Nonetheless, we support the overall direction in which the Holy Father is taking us. As soon as the document is drafted, we will post it and invite you to sign it.

In the meantime, if you would like to log in, have articles to contribute or comments to add to the new website, www.WeSupportPopeFrancis.net, please go there now.

If you are or know progressive clergy, theologians, or knowledgeable experts who might join us in drafting the document in support of Pope Francis, please email us now.

Gratefully,

Rene Reid
CCRI Director

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Speaking Out with One Unified Global Voice

"...Until we raise a common voice, we will not only not be heard, we will not even be listened to....   

My hope is that by speaking out together - a strong chorus of calls for reform - we can provide a common, a clear, a strong and ongoing voice for the yet incomplete vision of Vatican II.

In common cause, let us band together across the world. By our desire to be heard on particular issues - all of them important - let us not lose the strength of our common voice by reducing it to a whisper.

In light of this, we invite individuals and organizations to join together in making known our opinions for the good of our Church. By uniting our voices, it is not about abandoning the unique work of your organization but rather about how your work can enhance global reform."

Sr. Joan Chittister, CCRI Special advisor

"We have to join our forces in order to reach a real breakthrough in this window of opportunity." Hans Kung, CCRI Consultor


"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.



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