People’s Catholic Seminary Forum Presents: Growing Together in Dialogue, Discernment and Decisions as the Synodal Church: Next Steps for Synod in 2024 Part 2: All Disciples, All Missionaries- Feb.6, 2024, 1pm-2pm and 7:30PM-8:30PM ET in Part 1: Bridget Mary Meehan https://pcseminaryforum.blogspot.com/2024/ More information at the bottom of this post.
1. The Synod affirms that the Church is mission.” Each Christian is a mission on this earth.
2. The exercise of co-responsibility is essential for synodality and is necessary at all levels of the Church.
3. Jesus welcomed women as disciples, and entrusted the announcement of the Resurrection on Easter to Mary Magdalene.
4. Women are called to co-responsibility at every level of the Church’s life.
5. “Clericalism, a chauvinist mentality and inappropriate expressions of authority continue to scar the face of the Church.”
6. Avoid talking about women as an issue or a problem. View women as protagonists without subordination, exclusion and competition.
7. “How can the Church include more women in existing roles and ministries?
8. “If new ministries are required, who should discern these, at what levels and in what ways?
9. Different positions have been expressed regarding women’s access to the diaconal ministry.
10. For some, “access for women in the diaconate would restore the practices of the Early Church.”
11. For others, it would be “a sign of the times, faithful to Tradition” and bring “new energy” to the Church.”
12. Theological and pastoral research on the access of women to the diaconate should be continued. If possible, results should be presented to next Assembly.
13. Local churches are encouraged to listen, accompany and care for “the most marginalized women in their social contexts.”
14. Questions of labor injustice for women in consecrated life, treated as “cheap labour” should be addressed.
15. Women should “be integrated into seminary teaching and training programs to foster better formation for ordained ministry.”
16. Liturgical texts and Church documents need to “include a range of words, images and narratives” derived from “women’s experience.”
17. “Lay associations, ecclesial movements and new communities are a precious sign of the maturation of the co-responsibility of all the baptized.”
18. The promotion of synodality requires councils and advisory bodies with representatives of lay associations, ecclesial movements and new communities.
19. The discussion of priestly celibacy “requires further consideration.”
20. Deeper study of the theology of the permanent diaconate will shed light on the question of the access of women to the diaconate.
Proposals for Decisions on Next Steps for Report to Vatican in preparation for Synod in 2024 will be discussed afterward.
People’s Catholic Seminary presents Three Forums on the Journey Together in a Church for Everyone: Next Steps in a Synodal Church.
Join us for three sessions of mutual listening and sincere dialogue to continue exploring possible paths ahead on the journey together in a Synodal Church.
Session 1: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
1pm-2pm ET:
8:00pm-9:00pm ET
Topic: The Face of the Synodal Church on the Road Together
Session 2 Tuesday, February 6, 2024
1pm-2pm ET
8pm-9:00pm ET
Topic: All Disciples, All Missionaries
Session 3: Tuesday March 12, 2024
Topic: Weaving Bonds, Building Communities
1pm-2pm EDT
8pm-9:00pm EDT
Please let us know if you are attending: by sending a response to People’s Catholic Seminary at:
peoplescatholicseminary@gmail.com
Synthesis Report: https://pcseminaryforum.blogspot.com/2023/12/synod-synthesis-shows-agreement.html
Here is the Zoom link for every session: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84965259983?pwd=VFl1cWhjV2UvMGl1cWFyR05mU2xKQT09
Meeting ID: 849 6525 9983
Passcode: 868236
Call in for audio only: +1 305 224 1968 US