Newsletter - 11 September 2018
To all concerned about the future of the Roman Catholic Church:
Conversations are going on in all parts of the world about the most recent reports of clergy sexual abuse of children that have been covered up by Bishops under the pretext of "protecting the image and reputation of the Church." The truth is they are only protecting themselves and their clerical status.
We can be silent no longer. It is past time for the baptized Faithful, who are the Church, to take action. We invite you to join with us on our Facebook page and share your views on how we the People of God can move responsibly forward to be the Church as intended by Jesus.
Pope Francis has outlined his vision for a church that is "synodal" at every level, with everyone listening to one another, learning from one another and taking responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel. We at CCRI feel that all of us in the reform movement have spent far too many years trying to communicate with the hierarchy and convince them of the necessity of reform and restructuring within the Church. But are convinced beyond any doubt that our trying to change them is fruitless. Consequently, our strategy is no longer to put our energy into "reforming" the institutional church which seems beyond repair but rather to focus on "re-founding" the Church in the spirit of the early Christians. The Vatican is not the Church. By virtue of our baptism, we are the Church and we believe that we have the responsibility to enrich the future leadership and management of our church. But how? What IS within our power to do is to join or start small faith communities by whatever name they are called in various parts of the world: Intentional Eucharistic Communities (IECs), Base Christian Communities (CEBs), or Small Christian Communities (SCCs). Scroll to the end of this newsletter to learn what you personally can do.
Newsletter - 31 August 2018
August 31, 2018
Along with We Are Church Int'l, CCRI is asking for your support for young LGBT people attending the Youth Synod (October 2018).
Pope Francis has called a Synod on Youth
Damage is done when a child or young person is made to feel that being LGBT would be a misfortune or a disappointment. Representative young people will be gathered from around the word this October to meet with bishops and share their
We can all help stop the damage of the Church's teaching that the gays and lesbians are living in a "disordered state." If you want to help, take the Equal Future pledge. They are an international humanitarian campaign aiming to shift behavior across the world, taking advantage of a unique moment in time, namely, the Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment, the gathering called by Pope Francis to dialogue with his bishops about matters of concern to young people.
Why this is important and why your support is needed
With 1.3 billion people baptized Catholic world wide, the Catholic Church has significant cultural reach. Catholic Church leaders need to consider the role that the church’s teaching on LGBT has had in giving children and young people the feeling that being LGBT would be a misfortune or a disappointment. There is a Synod, or meeting, this October that is concerned about young people facing exclusion for social or religious reasons - not just young Catholics, but all young people, without exception. Each part of the world will have a delegate at this meeting and they have asked to hear your views.
Contact your bishop and share your personal story or the story of your children and friends. We know the power that human stories have to change hearts and minds and compel those in authority.
Thank you for your continued support,
Rene Reid
CCRI Director
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