- We Are Church on the current World Synod in Rome
- Dispute over anthropology, theology and the image of women
- Conference of We Are Church International 11-14 October 2024 in Rome
We Are Church on the current World Synod in Rome
We Are Church sees the second plenary assembly of the World Synod, which is currently meeting, as a logical step towards finally bringing the participatory understanding of the church of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) to life at all levels. The tense discussions and polarisation inside and outside the Synod hall show how urgently this transformation process is needed. The Roman Catholic Church leadership cannot afford to ignore the ‘signs of the times’ again, as it did before the Second Vatican Council.
The decisive question for the future is whether the expanded Synod of Bishops of Pope Francis can succeed in resolving the backlog of reforms and fundamental contradictions with regard to the core of biblical tradition – the exclusively male clergy, excluding women from all consecrations and central decisions. If the return to the dignity of baptism is a decisive characteristic of church membership, then this must lead to a new theology and a reorientation of all church structures, which are to be designed as services and not as offices and privileges.
If the Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian church and the world church, were to succeed in exemplifying a gender concept that corresponds to the early Christian message, it could be a credible and radiant role model. This would be a truly prophetic testimony.
Debate on anthropology, theology and the image of women
Pope Francis' statements at the Catholic University in Belgium regarding the image of women and the rigid adherence to a dualistic anthropology are out of touch with the times. Just one day after Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, admitted the Church's manifold failings towards women, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, announced a new doctrinal document on the role of women in the Church and rejected expectations of the women's diaconate. The time is not ripe yet. This is a new affront to all women and contradicts the desired synodality.
We Are Church is pleased that the statements of the Pope and the announcement of the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are no longer accepted without contradiction. According to many reformers within the Church, the question of the women's consecration is no longer about whether, but when and how. Therefore, the members of the World Synod and all those in the Vatican now have a great responsibility to undo the many old knots that contradict the Christian message. We Are Church also expects each individual bishop to now commit themselves wholeheartedly to the principle of synodality and to act in a truly synodal way at all levels.
The reforms that have been delayed since the Second Vatican Council must finally be implemented if talk of God is not to become hollow. Questions about God, structural issues and serving people must not be played off against each other! Only if the church has the courage to reform its own structures will it also have the moral strength and authority to comment on current problems and fulfil its many tasks in society.
Conference of We Are Church International 11-14 October 2024 in Rome
As in the previous year, the worldwide association We Are Church International will hold its annual meeting under the motto ‘EQUALITY’ during the synod in Rome in order to seek contact with the participants of the world synod and to promote reforms. In addition, a new coordination team will be elected. The meeting will take place at Casa Maria Immaculata from 11 to 14 October 2024.
Activities of all reform forces during the synod in Rome.
Press contacts:
Colm Holmes, Chair We are Church International
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Dr Martha Heizer, Vice-Chair We are Church International
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