“To live is to change and to have lived well is to have changed often” – Cardinal Newman
We Are Church International strongly supports the work of the German Synodal Path which follows the principle ‘what affects all should be decided by all’.
The German Synodal Path is built on trust. Laity and clerics are working together in a transparent and accountable way. All important issues are on the table (Power; Priesthood; Sexual Morality; Women). It is not an easy process. It is not a perfect process. But it is far ahead of the monarchical and autocratic model of church leadership that operates behind closed doors while claiming divine male privilege.
With the Synodal Process Pope Francis has pointed the way forward towards an inverted pyramid and decentralisation to re-establish a focus on Christ’s one commandment: ‘To love one another as I have loved you.’
We Are Church International calls for the Global Synod in October 2023 & October 2024 to adopt a highly significant part of the proposals from the German Synodal Path. In particular we call for a balanced representation of lay women & men and clerics to fully participate in the synod. ‘Synodality’ does not mean only bishops make all decisions.
[For more information on the German Synodal Path in English follow this link]
Colm Holmes
Chair, We Are Church International
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M +353 86 606 3636