CCRI 2015 Strategic Action Plan

Objective: To elicit voices worldwide who are seeking Roman Catholic Church reform; to support and have some influence on Pope Francis in his interaction with the Synod on the Family 2015; to back him in his decision-making and to move forward in his vision of a just, inclusive, compassionate and loving church.

Goals:

Collect tangible evidence of conversations, listening sessions, stories of lived experiences, and public affirmations that support a just, inclusive, and compassionate Church.

Create a public relations campaign via all media platforms directed at promoting a reform agenda for Synod 2015. 

Strategy

Deliver a comprehensive worldwide summary of our global survey to the Synod and to Pope Francis: The experience of Catholics and all who in good faith want to see a reformed Roman Catholic Church.

Prepare, publicize, and present theologically sound arguments for reform to be made available for publication.

Tactics

  • Increase the number of people and organizations who seek reform and the above objective through CCRI
  • Establish an outreach committee to make contact with individuals and other organizations in order to draw them into the network under the banner of justice and inclusion, especially from countries not currently represented.
  • Have an exhibition booth at the World Ordination of Families conference in Rome (Sept. 18 – 20, 2015)
  • Develop new and draw upon existing evidence of the desire for reform within Catholic communities Develop and distribute a Living Voice Register that provides a professionally valid questionnaire for eliciting the experience of Catholics as they live their lives in relation to Church teaching
  • Promote CCRI and seek to cooperate with other groups in tallying and utilizing the results
  • Conduct another round of Regional Gatherings to gain personal experiences (possibly in conjunction with COR and Future Church in order to have a similar format)
  • Draw from and collate any salient information coming from diocesan discussions/information arising from the questionnaire issued by the Vatican
  • Present to the Vatican and the Pope well-argued papers on specific reforms drawing upon our research Respond to the Synod by April 15 with a CCRI perspective on what should be on the Synod agenda (drawing from our questionnaire and summary report in 2014)
  • Prepare provocative papers on key issues, drawing in information from (2), and seeking advice from selected theologians and appropriate experts to ensure accuracy on key issues that are likely to be of divided opinion at the Synod. Such topics could include: divorced/remarried welcomed to the Sacraments
  • the recognition of homosexuality
  • primacy of conscience, especially in relation to artificial contraception
  • more contemporary attitudes to the roles of women
  • pastoral support and the need for married clergy
  • honesty and integrity in dealing with sexual abuse
  • cultural issues unique to specific countries
  • Prepare Press releases to accompany each paper to enhance our visibility
  • Prepare a summary document in September which highlights the most salient features of our arguments, research and our recommendations.
  • Provide information to and seek the support of key people who have the ability to influence the discussions that take place at the or in the lead up to the Synod’s deliberations. Write to Presidents/Leaders of Episcopal Conferences and Nuncios on particular issues where their actions could influence the Synod on issues of justice and inclusion highlighting the fact that the Church cannot teach what it does not practice.
  • Include individual bishops who support reform and gain their consensus in bold support of our message.
  • Develop relationships with significant journalists and seek their advice in order to gain their interest in promoting our Press releases.

Action still being discussed with Advisors:

Gather in Philly during the World Meeting of Families (Sept. 22- 27, 2015) and, in collaboration with other Reform Groups, to have a songfest, prayer service, placards supporting Pope Francis in creating a compassionate church)/

Decide whether to have any representation in Rome during the 2015 Synod (October 4 – 25,, 2015)

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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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