Med tanke på den ensidigt negativa och ofta missvisande bild av Synoden som förmedlas i Stockholms katolska Stift – och nu senast av p Ulf Jonsson SJ i hans ledare i Signum under rubrik ”Synod på villovägar ” och i Signumpodden – kan det vara på sin plats att sprida positiv, hoppingivande och mer korrekt information från We Are Church International som idag höll presskonferens på Zoom inför European Continental Assembly of the Synod i Prag 5-12 febr 2023
De olika inläggen finns att läsa här
> Christian Weisner (We are Church Germany, Moderator): Towards a new togetherness in the Church
> Colm Holmes (Chair We are Church International, Ireland): EQUALITY at Synod
> Ludovica Eugenio (#italychurchtoo, Italy): Sexual and spiritual abuse and the need for reform
> Dr Luca Badini Confalonieri (Wijngards Institute, England): A Constitution for the RC Church
> Sophie Rudge (Co-president andante-europa.net, England): CWC/Andante – Equality for Women
> Sr Philippa Rath OSB (delegate at Synodal Path in Germany): The German approach for Reform
Benedictine nun of the Abbey of Saint Hildegard in Ruedesheim‐Eibingen, member of the Central Committee of German Catholics and delegate of the religious orders in the Synodal Way:
1)We have succeeded in developing a new culture of interacting, based very much on the centuries‐old practice of religious orders: lay people, priests, bishops, members of religious communities; men and women; young and old truly working together. In Germany we are united in our determination to root out the systemic causes of violence and abuse – as identified in various studies. And we are very much united by a shared concern about the future of our faith and church.
2) Spiritual renewal is an integral part of our synodal pathway – by rediscovering the central message of Jesus who – without exception – met people without prejudice, who did not rule, but served, who called everyone equally to be his disciples.
3) Despite some opposition seminal texts have been promulgated in all thematic fields of the synodal pathway, notably concerning „Power and its Sharing“ and „Women in Church Ministries“. Some German dioceses have started the implementation of those texts that outline future practice standards, other texts ‐ those that concern the Church worldwide – will serve as preparation for the world synod and will be discussed in Prague.
4)We see ourselves as providing impulses for the Church worldwide – and we are encouraged by the fact that our ideas for reform are shared ‐ of course with different nuances ‐ on the agenda of churches all over the world ‐ as is impressively evidenced, e.g., by the working document for the continental synod Enlarging the Tent.
5)We share the conviction with Pope Francis that there is no way back on our chosen path towards a synodal Church. There is still a lot to do and a lot to learn, e.g. a sober culture of arguing. But it is worth the effort, even though the path is pretty rough. We members of religious communities can vouch for that, based on our experience. Only if all the baptized and confirmed are consulted and given an equal vote, it will be possible to keep our Church alive and future proof.
> Miroslav Maťavka (SIGNUM, EF and GNRC, Slovakia): Equality for LGBTIQ+
For visible and valued participation of LGBT+ Catholics in the Synod and the life of the Church
Even in 21st century Europe LGBT+ Catholics still experience discrimination. Historically Church representatives have often been the spreaders of negative attitudes towards LGBT+ persons. In recent years, local churches in some, especially Western European countries, have gone through self‐ reflection. Some bishops even expressed apologies or made steps towards LGBT+ inclusive pastorate.
Open recognition of the situation and subsequent efforts to remove prejudices brought fruits of the Holy Spirit for all involved. Pastoral offers specifically aimed at LGBT+ Catholics in some dioceses had a positive impact on the understanding of inclusivity and equality throughout the Church. They became the mustard seed for the further shift of the Catholic understanding of human sexuality and gender identity in relation to a fulfilled life of a person in Christ Jesus.
However, especially in Eastern Europe, LGBT+ Catholics still encounter prejudices that have long been disproved scientifically. Some local churches even still push recommendations for the treatment of homosexuality or various offers to suppress gender identity. A common phenomenon in these countries is the attempt to polarize and use LGBT+ persons as a tool for agitating against developmental changes in society. Efforts to create a conflict between the West and the East can be observed both in secular society and in the Church.
Hence current synod of the Church is an important tool for building a Church, which should be a real home for all the baptized. During the first phase of the synod, some individuals or groups of LGBT+ Catholics made themselves heard and others really have been included in synodal activities in their dioceses. Their diverse experiences were summarized in the statement of the RCC WG of the EF from August 10, 2022, which also lists recommendations for the synod. These will be shared with delegates of the synod assembly in Prague and encouraged for implementation throughout the synod.
// Irène
PS Sr Philippa Rath OSB i klostret Abtei St. Hildegard / Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard i Rüdesheim i Tyskland har ”samlat vittnesbörd från 150 kvinnor som känner sig kallade till diakon eller präst” i en bok som heter ”Weil Gott es so will” (Därför att Gud vill ha det så) och som kom ut 1 febr 2021 på Herders förlag. Boken presenteras av förlaget så här : Läs forts
http://www.katolskvision.se/blog/?p=28586
”Synod på villovägar” – om Signums tolkningsprivilegium http://www.katolskvision.se/blog/?p=30671
