“Conscious of our need for the accompaniment and the many gifts of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we call on them to journey with us during these two years and we sincerely pray that Christ will lead us closer to him and so to one another,” they said.
A document from the French bishops’ conference is the culmination of two years of work by Catholic groups in France “to discern what unites them in their approach and their actions.”
Applying the principles of restorative justice to the diocesan preparatory hearings on the upcoming world Synod of Bishops on synodality can make the process work like synodality, speakers said during a Jan. 11 webinar sponsored by the Catholic Mobilization Network.
New Ways Ministry in the meantime had been asked by synod officials to contribute resources for gay and lesbian Catholics to be posted in anticipation of the upcoming Synod of Bishops on synodality.
As many Catholics try to understand what Pope Francis might mean by a “synodal church,” he highlighted some of the essential characteristics — especially humility and trust — in homilies and speeches over Christmas and early in the new year.
“In this synod, the entire people of God are called to step forward, together, in a path that can renew the Church and the world — one of communion, participation and mission.”
“I look forward to our diocese’s involvement in these initiatives, and I hope you will participate as much as you are able.”
In that speech, he focused on love, especially within the family, and on the many challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has created, particularly for Vatican employees who have children to look after and parents or grandparents to care for.
