to see the final documents from all the Continents
following the Continental Stage
(Asia & Latin America so far - others to follow)
Four cardinals, 45 bishops, 80 priests concelebrated Mass, Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral
during European Continental Assembly 5-12 February 2023
(photo: Lucie Horníková / Člověk a Víra)
"I don't see the bold proposals that Pope Francis
urged us to make at this Synod”
– Jean-Louis Zeien, lay delegate from Luxembourg
If, as Cardinal Mario Grech says,
the Synod on Synodality 4-29 October 2023
will neither discard Catholic teachings nor reject those who question that teaching,
thereby maintaining the tension between traditionalists and reformers,
what can we expect?
At Root & Branch we do not feel reassured
that the extent of people’s desire for reform
will be taken to Rome
We are concerned by the glaring discrepancy
between the National Synthesis for England and Wales
and the 22 Diocesan Syntheses for England and Wales
(analysed in huge detail below)
At least three lay people involved at Frascati in drafting the DCS in Oct 2022
tell us theology must change before canon law, also that Diocesan Pastoral Councils (recommended by Vatican II) will not be made obligatory
As a consequence
we will enable voices that may have been marginalised
to be heard in Rome, Bristol & globally online
13-14 October 2023
The Discipleship of Equals event
Root & Branch and Spirit Unbounded ‘Companions on the Road’
will offer a platform to international speakers
Day 1: voice our responses to the synod
(reform agenda/dismissing the false arguments/theology
- used as barriers to inclusion/sharing governance/ rethinking morality)
Day 2: showcase speakers committed to the
Emerging Church looking to the future.
Introducing Small Christian Communities and ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) groups.
Publicly launch the Spirit Unbounded network,
a Spirit-driven and beatitudinal movement
where ALL are equal, grounded in the “consensus fidelium” – consent of the faithful.
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.
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
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
