- Written by Frank Callus
Synods have been used in the Catholic Church for centuries as a means of meeting to discuss the management of the Church. Over the last seven years Pope Francis has used the synod as a means of examining how the Catholic Church develops particular policies. He has called for a Synod on the Family, as well as a Synod on Young People. These have allowed bishops, clergy, and laity to consider an issue in some depth. There often follows a major statement from the Pope setting out a review or development of a Church teaching
In 2022 Pope Francis has called for a Synod to examine the ways in which this process of Synodality can help the Church. Its purpose is to examine how the Catholic Church will govern itself in the future. It will not be looking at doctrine but rather the ways in which it responds to national and international need. What will be the role of the laity? How much can the Church vary how it operates in different parts of the world?
In preparation for the Synod on Synodality a group of theologians in Germany and Austria have developed a survey to identify the key issues that clergy, religious and laity have regarding this matter. The group of theologians consist of:
Tomas Halik- A Czech theologian. President of the Czech Christian Academy
Anna Hennersperger- Head of the Episcopal Pastoral Office of the Catholic Church of Carinthia
Peter Neuner- Former Chairman of the German Catholic Theological Faculty Conference
Paul M Zulehner- Former Professor of Pastoral Theology, University of Vienna.
The survey is a mixture of closed and open questions. It is completely confidential and can be completed and returned electronically to Paul Zulehner.
The survey is available in English:
https://survey.zulehner.org/index.php/514332?lang=en
- Written by Paul Southgate
Paul writes: Where does evangelisation begin? I work in my allotment most days although there's not much to do in December. I'd like to introduce you to a few of the allotmenteers I rub shoulders with.
- Written by Chris McDonnell
Eleven seven eighty is the asking price
demanded by Crow from his lofty perch
pecking through the final fall of crumbs
that litter the arid ground.
He who begs to differ with the people’s
voice, who seeks to emulate the power
of despots and dictators from by-gone
years of tattered memory.
A time of danger and hysterical division
of harsh raised voices and shaking fists
seeking to outplay the honest ball-park
game with cries of ‘foul!’
A never-ending shout, calling out mobs
to run the city streets, creating trouble
encouraging the stand between patriots
and traitors once again.
Listen to the endless list of brazen lies
spilling with insidious intent in streams
of garbled utterances, running torrents
of a crazy, made-up tale.
Speak truth to falsehood, let others see
the courage of your voice, hear you tell
the story as it really is, democracy hung
out to dry in winter wind.
Cry tears of dreams from another time
remember words of a passionate regret
spoken to courageous crowds gathered
once by a seat of Lincoln.
- Written by Alex Walker
Living Laudato Si' Your Parish and Your Planet Zoom Retreat, led from Boarbank Hall, Cumbria, takes place on 22nd-25th January 2021.
Speakers include: Trish Sandbach, who worked in Oxfam Education for many years and led to St Benedict's, Garforth, in the Leeds diocese, to winning a Livesimply award. She is also an assessor for the LiveSimply award.
- Written by Alex Walker
The Global Catholic Movement invites you to “Global Healing.”
In 2015, Pope Francis published his ground-breaking letter on the environment Laudato Si’. Since then, millions of people worldwide have joined the global movement to address the environmental crisis our world is facing. This Lent, we are inviting YOU to join us for a series of reflective evenings with inspiring speakers, prayer and discussion, using the film-based resource “Global Healing”. These engaging documentaries will inform and challenge people to respond to Pope Francis’ call to Care for Our Common Home. Suitable for all who are concerned about what is happening to our world and who want to take action.
When? Six Thursdays from 18th February – 25th March 2021, 7.30pm – 8.30pm
How to join? To register please click https://zoom.us/meeting/regist
or email jane@catholicclimatemovement.g
Hosted by GCCM Laudato Si’ Animators in the UK.
“Living our vocation to be protectors of God's handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience…Truly, much can be done!” (Laudato Si’, 217, 180)
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