As the official delegates gather in October for the Synodality Session, the Vatican process is already achieving a portion of its intended results: various individuals and organizations are connecting alongside the formal gathering, listening to each other and sharing their hopes and concerns.
Rev. Michael Hickin, a priest of the Fargo Diocese, is a member of the Discerning Deacons’ delegation; he is chair of the Leadership Team of the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests.
“I see the Synod as a historic event summoned by the Spirit, a watershed spiritual moment setting in motion webs of relationships that will lead to eventual structural changes,” Hickin said. “It is not Vatican III, but a long-awaited implementation of Vatican II.”
Svea Fraser, a member of the board of Voice of the Faithful, is also a lay member of the AUSCP Leadership Team, linking another organization to the synodal connections to be made.
“Am I excited?” Fraser exulted. “I feel like my life’s purpose has led me to this. I will be prayerfully listening and welcome to whatever surprises (good and unexpected) the Holy Spirit and Deacon Phoebe are leading us to!”
Hickin and Fraser will participate in the Discerning Deacons prayer service in Rome on October 3. Hickin says he is going to Rome “to pray, encounter, and bear witness.” He will also seek “to continue that ministry of active presence, open to moments for sharing AUSCP’s voice of hope and joy with Synod delegates.” He also plans to meet with Vatican officials who may be available and with “any providential run-ins that may occur.”
Fraser emphasized the linkage of VOTF to the synodal process, quoting her organization’s mission statement: “To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church.” VOTF was formed 22 years ago, she noted: “We were synodal before we knew the word.”
Hicken views the Church – not in its “afternoon,” as some suggest, but in its infancy, or “wobbly as a toddler.” He says, “AUSCP’s youth is well-adapted to this image. We have an important part to play. We too have much to learn about co-responsibility even while already living it.” The AUSCP was formed in 2011, and is the largest association of Catholic priests and lay supporters in the United States.
Hickin looks forward to “being able to implement much more quickly the wisdom flowing from all these conversations in the Spirit. Remaining attuned to what is happening at and after the Synod, AUSCP is poised to offer some concrete leadership in giving shape to the Church’s synodal becoming. It is a great time to be ‘us.’ The time has come for us to share more broadly the gifts and purpose of our Association.”
Contacts:
Rev. Michael Hickin michael.hickin@fargodiocese.org
Ms. Svea Fraser sveafraser@gmail.com
Association of U.S. Catholic Priests: www.auscp.org
Voice of the Faithful: www.votf.org
Discerning Deacons: discerningdeacons.org
Paul Leingang • AUSCP Communications
(812) 459-1374 • auscp.communications@gmail.com