Spirit Unbounded, a global community of Catholic reform and other Christian and ecumenical networks that share a vision of a just and inclusive church, presents “Human Rights in the Catholic Church,” a weeklong event coinciding with the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October.
The Spirit Unbounded event will take place from 8–14 October 2023 and will feature both live and prerecorded digital presentations. Presentations from 8–12 October will be streamed online, with live and prerecorded presentations on 13–14 October. Gathering spaces in Bristol (UK) and Rome will allow people to attend the event in person.
Keynote speakers Sr. Joan Chittister (USA), Dr. Mary McAleese (Ireland), and Steven Newcomb (Shawnee-Lenape author and scholar) head an expanding international roster with over 70 speakers to date. Presenters include activists, artists, and storytellers alongside academics and theologians. Spirit Unbounded is aiming to represent the diversity of the global church at the event, particularly Indigenous communities and presenters from Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Speakers will address the theme of human rights in the Catholic Church, particularly how the church can move beyond clericalism to better model human rights both within and outside the institution.
Conceived as having “the ambience of a festival rather than a conference,” the event will highlight spiritual, theological, practical, doctrinal, and creative ways to reimagine authority and ministry, re-think ethical questions through the primacy of conscience, and renew a commitment to care for our neighbor and our environment. By linking the principles of justice, equality, and mercy to concrete actions, the event will enhance the synodal journey toward a more Christ-centered church. Additionally, it will offer participants from all over the world an opportunity to connect, share their hopes, and expand a network of reform-minded organizations that will endure beyond the official close of the Synod in 2024.
For all event information, including ticketing for both digital and in-person events and accommodation packages, please see the Spirit Unbounded event page here.
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Additional Resources
1. Spirit Unbounded website: https://spiritunbounded.org
2. Event page: https://spiritunbounded.org/event
3. List of confirmed speakers as of 26 June 2023: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b0QGyKO9bMMBaWuyj47GTX2Gcbln9hM3/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110777516573974247447&rtpof=true&sd=true
4. Direct link to event ticketing: https://www.gr8events.ie/sales/index.php?event=1361
5. Mailing list signup: https://spiritunbounded.org/subscribe
Social Media
2. Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpiritUnbounded
3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritunbounded_itl/
Contact Information
1. Media and interview requests:
2. General inquiries: