A joint letter from the Catholic Committee of the South and the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests | Download the full letter here
Welcome to the whole People of God –
The Catholic Committee of the South and the Association of United States Catholic priests are very excited about Pope Francis’ efforts to create a path to synodality, and we hope you are too. We are aware that there are groups currently disaffiliated from the Church who need to be involved in any route that hope to end in success. To that end, we are joining together to ensure a path for groups and individuals who might otherwise not have a voice in the process.
So this is your personal invitation to host a local cluster of “The Gathering: Toward a Synodal Church.” It is in direct response to the call of Pope Francis for mounting a synodal process across the globe in continuing to build up the inclusive, safe and loving catholic church.
Guided by the preparatory documents, we focus on parts of three paragraphs of the handbook:
- “It is precisely this path of synodality, which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.”
- A basic question prompts and guides us. How does this “journeying together,” which takes place today on different levels (from the local level to the universal level), allows the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance to the mission entrusted to her; and what steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church?
- We recall that the purpose of the Synod, and therefore of this consultation, is not to produce documents, but “to plant dreams, draw forth prophesies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.”
Signed,
Rev. Steve Newton, CSC
Executive Director, AUSCP
Rev. Les Schmidt, CCS
Glemnary Bishops’ Liaison
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To set up a meeting or for more information, contact:
Project Coordinator
Cathy Harmon-Christian
synodality@gmail.com