It is vital that the extent of people’s desire for reform
is not airbrushed from the Continental Stage.
You need to join us in action.
DIOCESAN STAGE
Our Content Analysis of the
22 Diocesan Syntheses for England and Wales
may surprise you.
91% of us want women’s ordination.
95% want accountable,
elected leaders and reformed Canon Law.
100% want full inclusion of women and LGBTQ+
and much more. See our charts below.
.
NOW – YOU ARE INVITED
to take part in the Continental Stage.
The Vatican expects each bishop to swing into action
with an ecclesial process of discernment,
involving the variety of the People of God,
and paying special attention to the involvement of
“women,
young people,
those in poverty,
other Christian denominations and faith traditions
and some with no religious affiliation,”
between now and 31st March 2023.
Write to your local bishop.
Write to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBCEW),
a) Ask how you can feedback on the DCS,
the latest global synthesis from the Vatican, below?
The Pope wants to know if we agree that it
reflects the Diocesan submissions.
Ask how you join/ contact the
European Representative Continental Assembly?
Customise this letter to your bishop and the CBCEW.
Email CBCEW on
christopher.thomas@cbcew.org.uk
b) Study the latest global synthesis from the Vatican,
the Document for the Continental Stage (DCS)
released on the 27 October 2022
Ask yourselves whether it reflects
WHAT WE, THE PEOPLE, ASKED FOR
represented here in an infographic:
Please download our infographic and circulate it.
This infographic is the culmination of a great deal of study:
ROOT & BRANCH
ANALYSED THE 22 DIOCESAN SUBMISSIONS
OF ENGLAND AND WALES
We found that the National Synthesis is not representative
of what we, the people asked for.
(Click on box to expand or pdf for full text)
Rethinking
Moral
Theology
Church
Authority
Redefining
and
Reclaiming
Liturgical
Ministry
Embracing
Diversity
Clerical
Abuse -
the Voice
of the Laity
OUR METHODOLOGY
Knowing that the National Synthesis for England and Wales
is NOT reflective of the calls for reform found
in the Diocesan syntheses,
it may be helpful to understand a little more about
how R&B conducted its Content Analysis.
We have uploaded our methodology here.
Understanding the process will equip you to confidently
raise questions and challenges.
Click on the thumbnail above
to read and download our
detailed explanation of how we analysed
our 22 Diocesan Synodal Reports.
It’s also a very clear template that you can use
to analyse your country’s Reports -
what did they really say?
OUR BRISTOL TEXT and the DIOCESAN SYNODAL REPORTS
We’ve also mapped all 22 Diocesan Synodal Reports in England and Wales
against our Bristol Text,
using an extensive and thorough Content Analysis.
It shows that what we want in our parishes and dioceses
is exactly what the Bristol Text lays out:
I. Not rules, but ways of thinking
II. What touches all must be discussed and approved by all
III. Ministry open to all, as in the early Church
IV. The dignity and sanctity of all
and
V. Safeguarding, reparation, penitence & true healing measures
Each of these topics have been mapped to our Bristol Text, below.
What parishioners in England and Wales want,
from our Diocesan Synodal Reports
ENGLISH AND WELSH DIOCESES. REFERENCES TO (CLERICAL) ABUSE
AN IMPORTANT SUMMARY
National Synthesis from
the Catholic Bishop's Conference of England & Wales:
Scottish Laity Network
Synodal Submission
Liverpool Synod 2020 – precursor to the current Synodal Pathway
A video presentation from Fr Peter McGrail that shares those matters that came forward at the Proposals stage of the Synod which were not within the remit of Synod 2020. Presented on both 12 and 13 march 2021. Also on our Well of Wisdom page.
Their address is at the foot of their homepage:
General Secretariat for Synod of Bishops
Via della Conciliazione 34
VA - 00120 Vatican City
Tel. (+39) 06 698 84821 / 84324
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever.
Amen.
Click image to view/download pdf
