Our worldwide website: www.ecumenicalccc.org
New Order Saint Francis and St. Clare: www.theneworderofsaintfrancis.org
St. Anthony Liturgical House of Studies:
https://www.stanthonysliturgicalhouse.org
For a visit of our famous historical Glas Stained Windows, visit the Link below:
http://www.michiganstainedglass.org/collections/building.php?id=17-83-2BD
Credit and Special thanks to Mr. Michael Surdyk
On Radio: http://www.wbcq.com
Biblical Perspectives WBXQ 7490 Short Wave Radio. 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time North America and around the world. Special thanks to Fr. Tom!
Facebook: Karl Rodig
++Dr. Karl RodigPlease share with all, and if possible translate in to your local language. Thank you!
Por favor, comparta con todos, y si es posible traduzca a su idioma local. ¡Gracias!
Si prega di condividere con tutti, e se possibile tradurre nella tua lingua locale. Grazie!
Моля, споделете с всички и, ако е възможно, преведете го на вашия местен език. Благодаря ти!
Будь ласка, поділіться з усіма, і, якщо це можливо, перекладіть на свою місцеву мову. Дякую!
Пожалуйста, поделитесь со всеми и, если возможно, переведите на свой местный язык. Спасибо!
Будь ласка, поділіться з усіма, і, якщо це можливо, перекладіть на свою місцеву мову. Дякую!
Please share with all, and if possible translate in to your local language. Thank you!
Por favor, comparta con todos, y si es posible traduzca a su idioma local. ¡Gracias!
Si prega di condividere con tutti, e se possibile tradurre nella tua lingua locale. Grazie!
Моля, споделете с всички и, ако е възможно, преведете го на вашия местен език. Благодаря ти!
Будь ласка, поділіться з усіма, і, якщо це можливо, перекладіть на свою місцеву мову. Дякую!
Пожалуйста, поделитесь со всеми и, если возможно, переведите на свой местный язык. Спасибо!
Будь ласка, поділіться з усіма, і, якщо це можливо, перекладіть на свою місцеву мову. Дякую!
Hodie, Christus Natus est, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Pax Hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Gloria in Exelsis Deo!
Merry Christmas!
Peace and Joy to you beloved brothers and sisters or of our Worldwide ECCC!
Wishing you all a very blessed and joyous Christmas Season, Health and Peace in A. D. 2019
As we celebrate this Holy Days of Christmas, we are reminded what His birth means to us and the whole world. We not only celebrate His Birth over 2 thousand years ago, we also being reminded of Christ living among us, and that He will come again in Glory to take us all home.
As Christians we are aware that our spiritual journey on this earth is dependent on our relationship with Christ. As we walk with Christ in our midst, we need to keep focused on Him and realize more and more why it makes a difference to follow His commandment of Loving God and our Neighbor. The world with all its glamour is trying to convince us otherwise, i.e., making us believe that there is no God. Yes, for many it has become the answer in modern times: to live only the way one wants, and see all the bad things of today's world be part of a lesser necessity, because it seems to be so much easier. Wars, scandals, natural disasters, famines, or a family tragedy, etc. becomes the new justification for ones own way of a life without God.
But what really will come out of such a lifestyle?
We see it everywhere, a world of bulling, a world of more greed and the devastating consequences it entails, carelessness in all its evil forms, including the pollution of the worlds oceans, the denial of Global warming, the deforestations of the world's vital rain forests, the drug epidemics and all kinds of addictions, robberies, murders, and the list goes on...
Yet, all of this cries out for wanting us to live in a better world that has Love as the moral foundation, and to see families and communities who show more care and respect for each other, yes for all of God's people. We experiencing almost daily how much societies have been divided and how many people are being treated with hate and disrespect. Immigrants are being treated as enemies, living in abhorrent conditions, children separated from their parents. We forget that Jesus and his family were refugees fleeing the brutal hands of the Ruler Herod...
Christmas is a stark reminder to see the world through the eyes of Jesus: in his innocence of a baby -his entire life a peacemaker -welcoming all who seek Wholeness again -finding healing in life's afflictions -restoring God's will among us. We need again this awareness that we are only one human race, and that we are only guests on this earth, and knowing that we are only stewards of God's creation. We need each other. Only God's Word of Life and Grace can bring healing restoring our lives and communities.
Let us be such a renewed people that live this message of Joy to the world and Peace to all people of good will. Let us give testimony for HIS Good NEWS. We are able to do it, because Jesus went before us and showed us the need for change in our life.
May we all find a new way to the Heart of God that, our Father and Mother that is pouring out so much love that we are just taken by it.
Thank you all for your love for Jesus and the good work of our worldwide Church!
Wishing you, your families and all in your care: this kind and pure Love that comes out of the manger in Bethlehem, that innocent life that came in our midst so we can live With Him and Through Him and in Him.
With my Prayers and benedictions,
Yours,
+Karl
ECCC Announcement:
We announcing for 2020: Our Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ World Synod.
An Apostolic Letter will be sent out to our Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Laity that will plan the Details for this historic event.
We asking you all for your prayers for this celebration of our faith!
We welcome also our new priests in our worldwide missions, the ECCC is growing through the Grace of God!
¡Paz, hermanos y hermanas en Cristo!
Les deseamos a todos una muy feliz
y feliz temporada navideña,
Salud y paz en A. D. 2019
Mientras celebramos estos Días Santos de Navidad, se nos recuerda lo que significa su nacimiento para nosotros y para el mundo entero. No solo celebramos Su nacimiento hace más de 2 mil años, también se nos recuerda que Cristo vive entre nosotros y que Él vendrá nuevamente en Gloria para llevarnos a todos a casa.
Como cristianos somos conscientes de que nuestro viaje espiritual en esta tierra depende de nuestra relación con Cristo. Mientras caminamos con Cristo en medio de nosotros, debemos mantenernos enfocados en Él y darnos cuenta cada vez más de por qué es importante seguir Su mandamiento de amar a Dios y a nuestro prójimo. El mundo con todo su glamour está tratando de convencernos de lo contrario, es decir, haciéndonos creer que no hay Dios. Sí, para muchos se ha convertido en la respuesta en los tiempos modernos: vivir solo de la manera que uno quiere y ver todas las cosas malas del mundo de hoy como parte de una necesidad menor, porque parece ser mucho más fácil. Las guerras, los escándalos, los desastres naturales, las hambrunas, una tragedia familiar, etc., se convierten en la nueva justificación de nuestra propia vida sin Dios.
¿Pero qué realmente saldrá de tal estilo de vida?
Lo vemos en todas partes, un mundo de bulling, un mundo de más codicia y las consecuencias devastadoras que conlleva, el descuido en todas sus formas malignas, incluida la contaminación de los océanos del mundo, la negación del calentamiento global, las deforestaciones de la lluvia vital del mundo. Los bosques, las epidemias de drogas y todo tipo de adicciones, robos, asesinatos, y la lista continúa ...
Sin embargo, todo esto clama por querer que vivamos en un mundo mejor que tenga el Amor como la base moral, y que veamos a las familias y comunidades que muestran más cuidado y respeto por los demás, sí para todo el pueblo de Dios. Experimentamos casi a diario la cantidad de sociedades que se han dividido y la cantidad de personas que son tratadas con odio y falta de respeto. Los inmigrantes son tratados como enemigos, viven en condiciones abominables, los niños separados de sus padres. Olvidamos que Jesús y su familia eran refugiados que huían de las manos brutales del gobernante Herodes ...
La Navidad es un claro recordatorio para ver el mundo a través de los ojos de Jesús: en su inocencia de un bebé, toda su vida, un pacificador, que acogerá a todos los que buscan nuevamente la totalidad, encontrar curación en las aflicciones de la vida, restablecer la voluntad de Dios entre nosotros. Necesitamos nuevamente esta conciencia de que somos solo una raza humana, y que solo somos invitados en esta tierra, y sabiendo que solo somos administradores de la creación de Dios. Nos necesitamos el uno al otro. Solo la Palabra de Dios de Vida y Gracia puede traer sanidad restaurando nuestras vidas y comunidades.
Seamos un pueblo tan renovado que viva este mensaje de Alegría para el mundo y Paz para todas las personas de buena voluntad. Demos testimonio de sus buenas noticias. Podemos hacerlo, porque Jesús fue antes que nosotros y nos mostró la necesidad de un cambio en nuestra vida.
Que todos podamos encontrar un nuevo camino hacia el Corazón de Dios que, nuestro Padre y nuestra Madre, está derramando tanto amor que simplemente nos dejamos llevar por él.
¡Gracias a todos por su amor a Jesús y al buen trabajo de nuestra Iglesia mundial!
Les deseamos a ustedes, a sus familias y a todos a su cuidado: este amor amable y puro que sale del pesebre en Belén, esa vida inocente que vino en medio de nosotros para que podamos vivir con Él y por medio de Él y en Él.
Con mis oraciones y bendiciones,
Suyo,
+Karl
Anuncio de la ECCC:
Es con gran alegría anunciar para 2020:
Nuestra Iglesia Ecuménica Católica de Cristo Sínodo Mundial.
Se enviará una carta apostólica a nuestros arzobispos, obispos, sacerdotes, diáconos y laicos que planearán los detalles para este evento histórico.
¡Les pedimos a todos por sus oraciones por esta celebración de nuestra fe!
También damos la bienvenida a nuestros nuevos sacerdotes en nuestras misiones mundiales, ¡El ECCC está creciendo a través de la Gracia de Dios!
Pace, fratelli e sorelle in Cristo!
Augurandovi tutti Bon Natale
molto Benedetta e Gioiosa,
Salute e Pace in A. D. 2019
Mentre celebriamo questo santo giorno di Natale, ci viene ricordato ciò che la sua nascita significa per noi e per il mondo intero. Non celebriamo solo la sua nascita oltre 2 mila anni fa, ci viene anche ricordato che Cristo vive in mezzo a noi e che ritornerà in gloria per portarci tutti a casa.
Come cristiani siamo consapevoli che il nostro cammino spirituale su questa terra dipende dalla nostra relazione con Cristo. Mentre camminiamo con Cristo in mezzo a noi, dobbiamo concentrarci su di Lui e realizzare sempre di più perché fa la differenza seguire il Suo comandamento di Dio amorevole e il nostro prossimo. Il mondo con tutto il suo fascino sta cercando di convincerci del contrario, cioè, facendoci credere che non c'è Dio. Sì, per molti è diventata la risposta nei tempi moderni: vivere solo come si vuole e vedere tutte le cose cattive del mondo di oggi essere parte di una necessità minore, perché sembra essere molto più facile. Guerre, scandali, disastri naturali, carestie o tragedia familiare, ecc. Diventano la nuova giustificazione per il proprio modo di vivere senza Dio.
Ma cosa uscirà davvero da un simile stile di vita?
Lo vediamo dappertutto, un mondo di bulling, un mondo di più avidità e le conseguenze devastanti che comporta, l'incuria in tutte le sue forme malvagie, compreso l'inquinamento degli oceani del mondo, la negazione del riscaldamento globale, la deforestazione della pioggia vitale mondiale le foreste, le epidemie di droga e tutti i tipi di dipendenze, rapine, omicidi e la lista continua ...
Eppure, tutto questo grida per volere che noi viviamo in un mondo migliore che ha l'Amore come fondamento morale e per vedere famiglie e comunità che mostrano più cura e rispetto l'uno per l'altro, sì per tutto il popolo di Dio. Sperimentiamo quasi ogni giorno quante società sono state divise e quante persone vengono trattate con odio e mancanza di rispetto. Gli immigrati vengono trattati come nemici, vivono in condizioni aberrate, bambini separati dai loro genitori. Dimentichiamo che Gesù e la sua famiglia erano profughi in fuga dalle mani brutali del Sovrano Erode ...
Il Natale è un forte promemoria per vedere il mondo attraverso gli occhi di Gesù: nella sua innocenza di un bambino - tutta la sua vita un pacificatore - accogliere tutti coloro che cercano di nuovo l'integrità - che guarisce nelle afflizioni della vita - ristabilendo la volontà di Dio tra noi. Abbiamo bisogno ancora una volta di questa consapevolezza che siamo solo una razza umana, e che siamo solo ospiti su questa terra, e sapendo che siamo solo amministratori della creazione di Dio. Noi abbiamo bisogno l'uno dell'altro. Solo la Parola di Vita e di Grazia di Dio può portare guarigione che ripristina le nostre vite e comunità.
Diventiamo un popolo così rinnovato che viva questo messaggio di Gioia al mondo e pace a tutti gli uomini di buona volontà. Diamo testimonianza per le Sue buone NOTIZIE. Siamo in grado di farlo, perché Gesù ci ha preceduto e ci ha mostrato la necessità di un cambiamento nella nostra vita.
Possano tutti noi trovare una nuova via per il Cuore di Dio che, nostro Padre e nostra Madre, riversa così tanto amore che siamo semplicemente presi da esso.
Grazie a tutti per il vostro amore per Gesù e per il buon lavoro della nostra Chiesa mondiale!
Augurando Voi, le tue famiglie e tutto ciò che ti sta a cuore: questo amore gentile e puro che esce dalla mangiatoia di Betlemme, quella vita innocente che è venuta in mezzo a noi per vivere con Lui, per Lui e in Lui.
Con le mie preghiere e le mie benedizioni,
Il Suo,
+Karl
Annuncio ECCC:
È con Great Joy annunciare per il 2020:
La nostra Chiesa Ecumenica Cattolica di Cristo Sinodo Mondiale.
Una Lettera Apostolica sarà inviata ai nostri Arcivescovi, Vescovi, Sacerdoti, Diaconi e Laici che pianificheranno i Dettagli per questo evento storico.
Chiediamo a tutti voi le vostre preghiere per questa celebrazione della nostra fede!
Diamo il benvenuto anche ai nostri nuovi sacerdoti nelle nostre missioni in tutto il mondo, La Chiesa Ecumenica Cattolica de Cristo sta crescendo attraverso la Grazia di Dio!
July 12, St. John Gaulbert, A. D. 2018
Peace, brothers and sisters in Christ!
Sending you all Greetings and Blessings from our Cathedral of St. Anthony in Detroit!
It is good to write to you about the good things that have happened in the last few month since I last wrote to you.
As some already know, we had a little Synod in our Cathedral with our bishops from the Western Region of the USA. Our task was to read and reflect on our Church Manifesto. It is our guide of why we are here as an Ecumenical Catholic Church. A couple points that shall highlight this are:
-Active ecumenical outreach with other denomination is fruitful as it shows our desire of Unity in Christ. This means respectand understanding of other traditions that have evolved over the centuries and the past decades. Unity is not conformity. Unity is the joint focus on Christ through prayer and dialog as we appreciate the diversity among us as complementary and not as an obstacle. This includes also that we work together on issues of social justice and peace efforts in our societies. Yes, this can be very practical, like serving together the poor, attending meetings that address the need for change in society, etc.
-We are also called to working with those in other denominations who are willing to see the common understanding about Evangelization in a world that is drifting away from Christ. As many of us have experienced that even in the Roman Catholic Church we have many dear friends who love our Manifesto and our Churches' active involvement for helping those in need, those who have been marginalized, and to speak with a common voice against injustice and corruption in our societies. Those who do not like us will always be out there, and it is just a sign that even Jesus experienced when he returned to his hometown of Nazareth and found rejection. (Mark 6,1-6) It shall never discourage us but strengthen our unbreakable faith in God who is all in all and above all.
-We are aware that we always shall live in the spirit of genuine brother and sisterhood in a time when selfishness and arrogance are on the march.
-Our worldwide Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ is not here to replace other major denominations, but to built bridges and offer places where people can meet without fear and live in the Spirit of the early Church communities.
I encourage you all: gather in your communities with your local bishop of the ECCC, or if you have not a bishop, with your local vicar General and clergy and read (or re-read) the Manifesto of our Church, reflect and use it as a helpful tool to serve in you local churches and beyond.
It is paramount to know your own church before reaching out to others who are interested in our ECCC, or seek dialog with you representing our Church.
Thank you all for your commitment and your love for Christ and our worldwide Church Communion!
I have attached the Spanish Version of our Church Manifesto, so you can share and use it for your gatherings. The English Version you can find on our Websites. As the PDF version has too many MBs, it is not possible to send it. Any further documents of the ECCC you can also find on our international and local website of the ECCC. If you need to translate the Manifesto in to your local language, I give you hereby permission to do so.
ECCC NEWS:
On the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, A. D. 2018, by Apostolic Decree:
-We have elevated Bishop Dr. Sunny Alappat to the Metropoblitan Archbishop for India.
We have also conferred the Office of Nuncio for Asia. He will serve the Ecumenical Primate for the ECCC throughout Asia, promoting and expanding our Church. We wish him in his new office the continuous support of the local priests and the people of God.
-We have elevated bishop Agostino Caro in Sicily to the Metropolitan Archbishop for Italy. Our Nuncio for Southern Europe, H. E. Archbishop Francisco Bausells from Spain has represented me for this joyous occasion. We wish Archbishop Agostino and all his beloved in our Church in Italy many fruitful years in the vineyard of the Lord. He will also work as Secretary of the Nuncio for Southern Europe.
-On behalf of the Ecumenical Primate, our Nuncio for Eastern Europe, H. E. Archbishop Hristo Pissarov is working on a Concordat with the Catholic Russian Orthodox Church. We shall sign it soon. Prayers and blessings for this Historic Moment!
We have 6 Nuncios covering the entire Globe:
-For the Western USA, Hawaii and the Pacific Rim: H. E. Archbishop ++Kimo Keawe in Los Angeles
-For Latin America: H. E. Archbishop Sebastian Pla from Costa Rica
-For Eastern and Northern Europe, including, the Balkan, Russia, the Ukraine, Georgia, and the former Soviet Republics: H. E. Archbishop Hristo Pissarov in Bulgaria
-For Southern Europe, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta and the Spanish Islands: H. E. Archbishop Francisco Bausells from Spain.
-For the African Continent, H. E. Archbishop Godfrey Siundu.
-For all of Asia: H. E. Archbishop Dr. Sunny Alappat from India.
The Ecumenical Primate will work in close consultation with the 6 Nuncios as they will report (including updates on the local dioceses) and consult with him on major Church issues.
Thanking all of you for your service!
Let us always be reminded that we shall resemble "the heavenly city, where truth reigns and charity is the law, and whose existence is eternity." From our Manifesto, (St. Augustine Epistle 138,3)
With my prayers and apostolic benedictions,
+Karl
Pace, fratelli e sorelle in Cristo! Vi invio i saluti e le benedizioni dalla nostra cattedrale di Sant'Antonio a Detroit!
È bello scrivervi delle cose belle che sono successe negli ultimi mesi da quando vi ho scritto l'ultima volta.
Come alcuni già sanno, abbiamo avuto un piccolo sinodo nella nostra cattedrale con i nostri vescovi della regione occidentale degli Stati Uniti. Il nostro compito era di leggere e riflettere sul nostro Manifesto della Chiesa. È la nostra guida del perché siamo qui come Chiesa cattolica ecumenica. Un paio di punti che devono essere evidenziati sono:
‐L'azione ecumenica attiva con altre denominazioni è fruttuosa poiché mostra il nostro desiderio di unità in Cristo. Ciò significa rispetto e comprensione delle altre tradizioni che si sono evolute nel corso dei secoli e dei decenni passati. L'unità non è conformità. L'unità è l'obiettivo comune di Cristo attraverso la preghiera e il dialogo, poiché apprezziamo la diversità tra noi come complementare e non come un ostacolo. Ciò include anche il fatto che lavoriamo insieme sulle questioni di giustizia sociale e sugli sforzi per pace nelle nostre società. Sì, questo può essere molto pratico, come servire insieme i poveri, partecipare a riunioni che affrontano il bisogno di cambiamento nella società, ecc.
‐Siamo anche chiamati a lavorare con le altre denominazioni che sono disposte a vedere la comune comprensione dell'Evangelizzazione in un mondo che si sta allontanando da Cristo. Come molti di noi hanno sperimentato anche nella Chiesa Cattolica Romana abbiamo molti cari amici che amano il nostro coinvolgimento nell’aiutare chi è nel bisogno, coloro che sono stati emarginati e che parliamo con una voce comune contro l'ingiustizia e la corruzione nelle nostre società. Coloro che non ci amano saranno sempre là fuori, ed è solo un segno che anche Gesù ha provato quando è tornato nella sua città natale di Nazareth e ha trovato il rifiuto. (Marco 6,1‐6) Non ci scoraggerà mai, ma rafforzerà la nostra fede indissolubile in Dio che è tutto in tutti e al di sopra di tutto.
‐Siamo consapevoli che vivremo sempre nello spirito di un’autentica fratellanza in un momento in cui egoismo e arroganza sono in auge.
‐La nostra Chiesa ecumenica di Cristo in tutto il mondo non è per sostituire altre grandi denominazioni, ma per costruire ponti e offrire luoghi dove le persone possano incontrarsi senza paura e vivere nello Spirito delle prime comunità ecclesiali.
Vi incoraggio tutti: radunatevi nelle vostre comunità con il vostro vescovo locale dell'ECCC, o se non avete un vescovo, con il vostro vicario generale e clero locale e leggete (o rileggete) il Manifesto della nostra Chiesa, riflettete e usatelo come uno strumento utile per servire le chiese locali e oltre.
È fondamentale conoscere la propria chiesa prima di contattare tutti coloro che sono interessati alla nostra ECCC o che cercano un dialogo con chi rappresenta la nostra Chiesa.
Grazie a tutti per il vostro impegno e il vostro amore per Cristo e per la nostra comunione ecclesiale mondiale!
NOTIZIE DELL'ECCC:
Nella solennità di San Pietro e San Paolo, A. D. 2018, con decreto apostolico: ‐Abbiamo elevato il vescovo Dr. Sunny Alappat Arcivescovo Metropolitano per l'India. Abbiamo anche conferito l'Ufficio di Nunzio per l'Asia. Servirà il Primate ecumenico per l'ECCC in tutta l'Asia, promuovendo e ampliando la nostra Chiesa. Gli auguriamo nel suo nuovo ufficio il supporto continuo dei sacerdoti locali e del popolo di Dio.
‐Abbiamo elevato il vescovo Agostino De Caro in Sicilia Arcivescovo metropolita per l'Italia. Il nostro Nunzio per l'Europa del Sud, l'arcivescovo Francisco Adillon, mi ha rappresentato per questa gioiosa occasione. Auguriamo all'Arcivescovo Agostino e a tutti i suoi cari nella nostra Chiesa in Italia molti anni fruttuosi nella vigna del Signore. Lavorerà anche come segretario del Nunzio per l'Europa meridionale.
‐ A nome del Primate ecumenico, il nostro nunzio per l'Europa orientale, H. E. Arcivescovo Hristo Pissarov sta lavorando a un Concordato con la Chiesa cattolica ortodossa russa. Lo firmeremo presto. Preghiere e benedizioni per questo momento storico!
Abbiamo 6 nunzi che coprono l'intero globo: ‐Per gli Stati Uniti occidentali, le Hawaii e l'area del Pacifico: H. E. Arcivescovo ++ Kimo Keawe a Los Angeles ‐Per l'America Latina: H.E. Arcivescovo Sebastian Pla dalla Costa Rica
‐Per l'Europa orientale e settentrionale, compresi i Balcani, la Russia, l'Ucraina, la Georgia e il ex repubbliche sovietiche: H. E. Arcivescovo Hristo Pissarov in Bulgaria
‐Per l'Europa meridionale, inclusi Francia, Spagna, Portogallo, Italia, Malta e Isole Spagnole: H. E. Arcivescovo Francisco Bausells dalla Spagna.
‐Per tutta l'Asia: H. E. Arcivescovo Dr. Sunny Alappat dall'India. ‐Per il continente africano, H. E. Arcivescovo Godfrey Siundu.
Il Primate ecumenico lavorerà in stretta consultazione con i 6 Nunzi che riferiranno (compresi gli aggiornamenti sulle diocesi locali) e si consulteranno con lui sulle principali questioni della Chiesa.
Ringraziando tutti voi per il vostro servizio! Ricordiamoci sempre che assomiglieremo "alla città celeste, dove regna la verità e la carità è la legge, e la cui esistenza è l'eternità". Dal nostro Manifesto, (S. Agostino epistole138,3)
Con le mie preghiere e le benedizioni apostoliche,
+ Karl
¡ paz, hermanos y hermanas en Cristo!
¡ enviándole todos los saludos y bendiciones de nuestra Catedral de St. Anthony en Detroit!
Es bueno escribirles sobre las cosas buenas que han sucedido en los últimos meses desde la última vez que les escribí.
Como algunos ya saben, tuvimos un pequeño Sínodo en nuestra catedral con nuestros obispos de la región occidental de los Estados Unidos. Nuestra tarea era leer y reflexionar sobre nuestro manifiesto de la iglesia. Es nuestra guía de por qué estamos aquí como una Iglesia Católica Ecuménica. Un par de puntos que se destacarán son:
-el acercamiento ecuménico activo con otra denominación es fructífero, ya que muestra nuestro deseo de unidad en Cristo. Esto significa el respeto y la comprensión de otras tradiciones que han evolucionado a lo largo de los siglos y las últimas décadas. La unidad no es conformidad. La unidad es el enfoque conjunto de Cristo a través de la oración y el diálogo, ya que apreciamos la diversidad entre nosotros como complementaria y no como un obstáculo. Esto incluye también que trabajamos juntos en temas de justicia social y esfuerzos de paz en nuestras sociedades. Sí, esto puede ser muy práctico, como servir juntos a los pobres, asistiendo a reuniones que abordan la necesidad de cambio en la sociedad, etc.
-También estamos llamados a trabajar con aquellos en otras denominaciones que están dispuestos a ver el entendimiento común acerca de la evangelización en un mundo que está alejándose de Cristo. Como muchos de nosotros hemos experimentado que incluso en la iglesia católica romana tenemos muchos queridos amigos que aman nuestro manifiesto y la participación activa de nuestras iglesias para ayudar a los necesitados, los que han sido marginados, y hablar con una voz común contra la injusticia y corrupción en nuestras sociedades. Los que no nos agradan siempre estarán ahí fuera, y es sólo una señal de que incluso Jesús experimentó cuando regresó a su ciudad natal de Nazaret y encontró rechazo. (Marcos 6, 1-6) Nunca nos desalentará, sino que fortalecerá nuestra inquebrantable fe en Dios, que está en todos y sobre todo.
-Somos conscientes de que siempre viviremos en el espíritu de un hermano y una hermandad genuinos en un tiempo en que el egoísmo y la arrogancia están en la marcha.
-nuestra iglesia ecuménica mundial católica de Cristo no está aquí para reemplazar otras grandes denominaciones, sino para construir puentes y ofrecer lugares donde la gente pueda reunirse sin miedo y vivir en el espíritu de las primeras comunidades de la iglesia.
Os animo a todos: Reúnase en sus comunidades con su obispo local de la ECCC, o si usted no tiene un obispo, con su vicario general local y el clero y leer (o volver a leer) el manifiesto de nuestra iglesia, reflexionar y usarlo como una herramienta útil para servir en las iglesias locales un d más allá.
Es primordial conocer su propia iglesia antes de llegar a otros que están interesados en nuestro ECCC, o buscar dialogo con usted representando a nuestra iglesia.
¡ Gracias a todos por su compromiso y su amor por Cristo y nuestra comunión de la iglesia en todo el mundo!
He adjuntado la versión en Español de nuestro manifiesto de la iglesia, para que usted pueda compartir y usarlo para sus reuniones. La versión en inglés que puedes encontrar en nuestros sitios Web. Como la versión PDF tiene demasiados MBS, no es posible enviarla. Cualquier otro documento de la ECCC también se puede encontrar en nuestra página web internacional y local de la ECCC. Si necesita traducir el manifiesto a su idioma local, le doy permiso para hacerlo.
ECCC noticias:
En la solemnidad de San Pedro y San Pablo, A. D. 2018, y por decreto apostólico:
-hemos elevado al Obispo Dr. Sunny Alappat al arzobispo Metropoblitan para la India.
También hemos conferido la oficina del Nuncio para Asia. Él servirá al primado Ecuménico para el ECCC en toda Asia, promoviendo y expandiendo nuestra iglesia. Le deseamos en su nueva oficina el continuo apoyo de los sacerdotes locales y del pueblo de Dios.
-hemos elevado a obispo Agostino caro en Sicilia al Arzobispo Metropolitano para Italia. Nuestro Nuncio para el sur de Europa, h. e. Mons. Francisco Bausells de España, me ha representado para esta alegre ocasión. Deseamos al arzobispo Agostino y a toda su amada en nuestra iglesia en Italia muchos años fructíferos en la Viña del Señor. También trabajará como Secretario del Nuncio para el sur de Europa.
-En nombre del Primado Ecuménico, nuestro Nuncio para Europa del Este, S. E. Arzobispo Hristo Pissarov está trabajando en un Concordato con la Iglesia Católica Ortodoxa Rusa. Lo firmaremos pronto. Oraciones y bendiciones para este momento histórico!
Tenemos 6 Nuncios cubriendo todo el mundo:
-para los e.e.u.u. occidentales, Hawaii y el borde Pacífico: S. e. arzobispo + + Kimo Keawe en los Ángeles
-para América Latina: S. e. arzobispo Sebastián Plá de Costa Rica
-para Europa del este y del norte, incluyendo, los Balcanes, Rusia, Ucrania, Georgia, y las repúblicas soviéticas anteriores: S. e. arzobispo Hristo Pissarov en Bulgaria
-para el sur de Europa, incluyendo Francia, España, Portugal, Italia, Malta y las islas españolas: S. e. arzobispo Francisco Bausells de España.
-Para el Continente de Africa: S. E., Arzobispo Godfrey Siundu.
-para toda Asia: S. E. arzobispo Dr. Sunny Alappat de la India.
El primate ecuménico trabajará en estrecha consulta con los 5 nuncios, ya que reportarán (incluyendo actualizaciones sobre las diócesis locales) y consultarán con él sobre asuntos importantes de la iglesia.
¡ agradeciendo a todos ustedes por su servicio!
Recordemos siempre que nos asemejaremos a "la ciudad celestial, donde reina la verdad y la caridad es la ley, y cuya existencia es la eternidad. " de nuestro manifiesto, (San Agustín epístola 138, 3)
Con mis oraciones y bendiciones apostólicas,
+Karl
Lent - Cuaresma 2018Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!As we are in the Lenten Season, reflecting and meditating on the Mysteries of our salvation, we walk with Jesus into the desert of our lives. We deepen our prayer life, and like Jesus, we train ourselves to resist temptations of all kinds. We ask ourselves, what are the temptations that keep us from God? Are we strong enough to walk with Jesus as He showed us that there is no way around the Cross, but caring our own crosses we are closer to him than the world wants us to believe.Right there is our biggest temptation, by following the world with all its empty promises making us believe that it is easier, that this is more comfortable, and so many feel better consciously making everything permissible even when it goes against God's commandments, therefore insulting HIS Love.Today we see a new insult against the Love of God as our young people are frustrated when they see that leadership by example is eroding in some Churches, and especially when it comes to politicians who betray the sacred trust given to them by the people!We all long for a time of healing and inner growth, and this Lenten Season is giving us the opportunity for a new spiritual focus in our life: to see what is really important living in this temporary world? and what do I need in order to serve others?...The Gospel opens our heart towards the life of Jesus, his words, his actions, his compassion, his endless love, his mercy, his guidance toward God who is all in all..."Show us the Father", the disciples ask Jesus..."What do I need to do to gain the kingdom of heaven", the young man is curious with Jesus..."I will follow you where ever you go, Master, even when I have to die for you", says Peter...And what happened with all these people, they either walked away, or failed to put in action when confronted with the truth and seriousness of saying fully YES to Jesus! For the Apostle Peter, his faith needed to be renewed, and he became the great Saint.Therein lies our personal approach to see our faith in a renewed light. Are we the ones who say yes to all, but do not really follow through in what God is asking us to do. "Not everyone who says, Yes, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but who does the Will of my Father"...Faith is trusting God all the Way, believing that Jesu Christ is a reality in our lives that can change us upside down.A little example from our own Church congregation's life, and I am more than sure you see similar behaviors in the people whom you serve as well. Sometimes we have people coming to church, and they impressed with the Sanctuary, and the diversity of our people, but then it looks like that's all they see, and then after coming one or two times to church, they feel like it is not their place, because they don't get what they want, and they walk away. They miss music that has to be disco like, or they looking for things they have in a social club...Yet, by talking to some, I found out, it is sometimes the lack of listening to the Word of God, and accepting Jesus into ones life, because that can make the change, and that brings commitment.Yes, we need to learn what we have heard and read from of old through Sacred Scriptures finding our spiritual path toward the Kingdom of Heaven. Also, the examples of people in our lives who were true role models ..The lives of Saints that show us such rich diversity in the Christian experience with Jesus.I want to encourage you to seek in these coming weeks a new spiritual awareness and little retreats for your lives in a wise manner. To discern what it means to live in the world but to be not of the world, so your life can be more enriched through the Word of God, and that you may feel it's soothing and healing power for your souls!I would like to conclude with a letter from Clement of Rome written around 90 A. D."Do not be irritated or angry when someone corrects you, turning you from evil to goodness. Sometimes we do wrong without knowing it because we are double-minded: we can deceive ourselves into thinking that evil is good. Equally do not be irritated or angry you when you see sinful people enjoying great wealth and luxury. They are winning the contest for this world's prize. The righteous person does not win his reward quickly, but must wait for it. This is because we have to train hard and long in order to win his reward quickly, but must wait for it. This is because we have to train hard and long in order to win the race. After all, the crown of eternal life cannot be won easily with little effort; the person who wins it must have every spiritual muscle at the peak of fitness. It does not matter if you are weak in the affairs of commerce and trade and to live in poverty. What matters is that you are strong in the affairs of the soul." (2nd Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 19/10)Wishing you all a joyous Lent!With my apostolic benedictions,Yours+KarlNews:It is with great joy to announce our Seminary online thanks to the tireless work of so many, especially, our Fr. Dr. Tom Roberts and Mr. Gary Staszak. I have asked some of you to join the advisory board which you have answered. If more of you want to join the advisory board for the Faculty team, or if you feel you could contribute as a faculty member in you respected country around the world, serving as an extension of the Seminary, this would be a wonderful idea!Please take a look at the Website: https://www.stanthonysliturgicalhouse.org/It is designed to enroll students who seek ministry, also for people who want to deepen their knowledge through different biblical and theological studies.Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo!Como estamos en la época de Cuaresma, reflexionando y meditando sobre los misterios de nuestra salvación, caminamos con Jesús al desierto de nuestras vidas. Profundizamos nuestra vida de oración, y como Jesús, nos entrenamos para resistir las tentaciones de todo tipo. Nos preguntamos, ¿cuáles son las tentaciones que nos alejan de Dios? ¿Somos lo suficientemente fuertes para caminar con Jesús como él también nos mostró que no hay manera alrededor de la Cruz, pero cuidando nuestras propias cruces estamos más cerca de él, y no que el mundo quiere que creamos.Justo ahí está nuestra mayor tentación, siguiendo al mundo con todas sus promesas vacías haciéndonos creer que es más fácil, que esto es más cómodo, y que muchos se sienten mejor haciendo conscientemente que todo sea permisible incluso cuando va en contra de los mandamientos de Dios, por lo tanto, insultando Amor.Hoy vemos un nuevo insulto contra el amor de Dios. Muchos de los jóvenes se sienten frustrados cuando ven que el liderazgo está erosionado en algunas iglesias, y especialmente cuando se trata de políticos que traicionan la sagrada confianza que les ha dado del pueblo.Todos anhelamos un tiempo de sanación y crecimiento interior, y esta temporada cuaresmal nos está dando la oportunidad de un nuevo enfoque espiritual en nuestra vida: ¿ver qué es realmente importante viviendo en este mundo temporal? ¿Y qué necesito para servir a los demás?... El Evangelio abre nuestro corazón hacia la vida de Jesús, sus palabras, sus acciones, su compasión, su amor infinito, su misericordia, su guía hacia Dios, que es todo en todos... "Muéstranos al padre ", los discípulos le piden a Jesús... "¿Qué necesito hacer para ganar el Reino de los cielos ", el joven es curioso con Jesús... "yo te seguiré donde quiera que vayas, maestro, aun cuando tenga que morir por ti", dice Pedro... Y lo que pasó con toda esta gente, o bien se alejó, o no puso en acción cuando se enfrentó a la verdad y la seriedad de decir plenamente sí a Jesús! Para el Apóstol Pedro era necesito una renovación de su fe, y al fin él era un gran Santo.Ahí radica nuestro enfoque personal para ver nuestra fe en una luz renovada. ¿Somos nosotros los que decimos sí a todos, pero no seguimos realmente a través de lo que Dios nos está pidiendo que hagamos. "No todos los que dicen que Sí entrarán en el Reino de los cielos, pero quién hacen la voluntad de mi padre "...La fe confía en Dios todo el camino, creyendo que Jesu Cristo es una realidad en nuestras vidas que nos puede cambiar al revés.Un pequeño ejemplo de la vida de nuestra Congregación de la iglesia, y yo más que soy seguro que usted ve comportamientos similares en la gente a la que usted sirve también. A veces tenemos gente que viene a la iglesia, y ellos impresionados con el Santuario, y la diversidad de nuestra gente, pero entonces parece que eso es todo lo que ven, y luego después de venir una o dos veces a la iglesia, se sienten como que no es su lugar, porque no consiguen lo que quieren, y se alejan. Se pierden la música que tiene que ser discoteca..., o que buscan cosas que tienen en su club social... Sin embargo, al hablar con algunos, me enteré, a veces es la falta de escuchar la palabra de Dios, y aceptar a Jesús en la vida de los seres, porque eso puede hacer el cambio, y eso trae compromiso.Sí, necesitamos aprender lo que hemos escuchado y leído del viejo a través de las Sagradas Escrituras, encontrando nuestro camino espiritual hacia el Reino de los cielos. También, los ejemplos de personas en nuestras vidas que eran verdaderos ejemplos de la vida... La vida de los Santos que nos muestran una diversidad tan rica en la experiencia cristiana con Jesús.Quiero alentarlos a buscar en estas próximas semanas una nueva conciencia espiritual y pequeños retiros para sus vidas de una manera sabia. ¡Para discernir lo que significa vivir en el mundo pero no ser del mundo, para que tu vida pueda enriquecerse más a través de la Palabra de Dios, y que puedas sentir que es un poder sanador y calmante para tu alma!Me gustaría concluir con una carta de Clemente de Roma escrita alrededor de 90 A. D."No te irrites ni te enojes cuando alguien te corrige, volviéndote del mal a la bondad. A veces hacemos mal sin saberlo porque somos de doble ánimo: podemos engañarnos a nosotros mismos al pensar que el mal es bueno. Igualmente no te irrites o usted está enojado cuando ve gente pecadora disfrutando de gran riqueza y lujo. Ellos están ganando el concurso para el premio de este mundo. La persona justa no gana su recompensa rápidamente, pero debe esperarla. Esto se debe a que tenemos que entrenar duro y durante mucho tiempo. Para ganar su recompensa rápidamente, pero debe esperar, porque debemos entrenar duro y largo para ganar la carrera. Después de todo, la corona de la vida eterna no se puede ganar fácilmente con poco esfuerzo; la persona que gana debe tener todos los músculos espirituales en la cima de la aptitud física, no importa si eres débil en los asuntos del comercio y el comercio y si vives en la pobreza. Lo que importa es que seas fuerte en los asuntos del alma ". (Segunda Epístola a los Corintios Capítulo 19/10)¡Desearles a todos una Cuaresma gozosa!Con mis bendiciones apostolicosSuyo+KarlNoticias:Es con gran alegría anunciar nuestro seminario en línea con la pagina de web. Gracias al trabajo incansable de tantos, especialmente, nuestro Padre Dr. Tom Roberts y el Sr. Gary Staszak. He pedido a algunos de ustedes que se unan a la Junta Consultiva a la que han respondido. Si más de ustedes quieren unirse a la Junta Asesora del equipo de la Facultad, o si sienten que pueden contribuir como un miembro de la Facultad en su país respetado en todo el mundo, sirviendo como una extensión del seminario, esto sería una idea maravillosa!Por favor, eche un vistazo a la página web: https://www.stanthonysliturgicalhouse.org/Está diseñado para inscribir a los estudiantes que buscan el Ministerio, también para las personas que quieren profundizar su conocimiento a través de diferentes estudios bíblicos y teológicos.
Afrikaans: | Geseënde Kersfees en 'n gelukkige nuwe jaar |
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou Hebrew: חג מולד שמח Hindi:
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Irland: (Gaelic) | Nollaig shona duit. Bliain úr faoi shéan is faoi mhaise duit |
Lituania: Linksmu Kaledu ir laimingu Nauju metu
Luxemburg: Schéi Krëschtdeeg an e Schéint Néi Joer
Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal dan Tahun Baru
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Norway: Gledelig Jul
| Navajo: | Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish dóó Baa Hózhǫ́ǫgo Nee Nínáadoohah |
| Samoan: | Manuia le Kerisimasi, ma le Tausaga Fou |
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| Tamil: | Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal |
Valencia: Bon Nadal i feliç any nou
Director y todos los miembros de la Facultad. El sitio web estará en marcha pronto.
Consecration of our new auxiliary bishop, +Marc Angelo Santiago in Los Angeles, CA, and Rev. Deacon Pedro Lemasa, Jr. for the ECCC in Hawaii, on November 18th,A. D. 2017 God's richest blessings to you all in your pastoral care!
00120Vatican City State
- April 1 – 6, 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia: organized by the Asian Lay Leaders (ALL) Forum, an umbrella organization composed of five groups in Asia. We are working with Paul Hwang, director of All Forum, who will be hosting this Youth Forum with theologians addressing the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS) in Indonesian Ecological Sustainability, Genuine Human Development, Triple Dialogue of FABC, EvangelliGaudium and Laudato Si.
- July 19-23, 2017 in Bangalore, India: a gathering of the International Network of Societies for Catholic Theology (INSeCT) who, for the last 3 years, have focused their discussion on Gender and Ecclesiology and will discuss here the future of INSeCT.
- November 15 – 18, 2018 in Aparecida, Brazil: Forum of the People of God organized by Global Council Network to be structured in a synodal type format.
- 2021 Africa: Forum of the People of God (time and place to be determined)
December 6th, Saint Nicklaus, A. D. 2016
Please share with all your people
Peace, and Greetings to you, brothers and sisters in Christ of our Worldwide Church Communion!
As we prepare ourselves for the Birth of Christ and His Second Coming in Glory, we look more inwardly through reflection and meditation. We seek a deeper relationship with Christ, so He will find us not asleep, but awake.
The Gospel and Scripture readings in this Season showing what the People of old were yearning for, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the Savior, the King of Kings, and that Christ is that Person, divine and human. In prayerful reflection, we experience in our faith life a newness that brings changes for our daily life and our actions as Christians!
How can the Newborn King lead us to God? What great Joy that comes from our Love for God's Son, a love and peace the world in itself is unable to give. How can our longing for this ultimate Union with God be more rooted within us?
As I was writing, I received a nice letter of reflection from our Vicar General in Sri Lanka, Fr. Nicholas. I would like to share his letter with you! Also I share below with you a letter from our Bishop in India, +Dr. Sunny!
"LANGUAGE OF GOD IS CHRISTMAS
Communication is an indispensable component of human history. Communication could be vary, but in this varied pattern, language occupies the prominent place. It is not an exaggeration to say, all what we are and what we have today are due to the language people have been using in different forms in history. This is the human dimension of the language. But there is also a divine dimension of the language.
People of the Old Testament experienced God’s language in sundry ways. It is the People of New Testament who began to experience the language of God in human form. As John the Evangelist records God’s word becomes flesh at Christmas. From the very beginning of Jesus event, it is the divine communication that continues to speak to mankind in Jesus. Hence the language God addressed to man through Jesus is CHRISTMAS. God’s word that became flesh is an eternal language. Wherever and whenever such language is spoken JESUS IS BORN. Let us understand what this language is:
It is the language of good news to Mary and her Fiat to it.
It is the language of dispelling Joseph’s doubts.
It is the language of sharing of joy with Elizabeth.
It is the language of joy at the birth of Jesus.
It is the language of facing challenging threats to life of baby Jesus in the life of Joseph.
It is the language of Peace spoken by Jesus.
It is the language of reconciliation in Jesus
It is the language of loving acceptance in prodigal son.
It is the language of forgiveness in Mary Magdalene.
It is the language of loving enemies in Jesus.
It is the language of service in the washing of the feet.
It is the language of “OUR FATHER”.
It is the language of “YOUR WILL BE DONE”.
It is the language of CRUCIFIXION”.
It is the language of “RESURRECTION”.
Christmas is to speak this language. Unless and until we speak this language from our heart we will not experience birth of Jesus; what we will experience is our own Ego and selfishness.
Today when the whole world celebrates Christmas I begin to wonder, whether Jesus is being born in the present context. It is only in the communication of the language God spoke to man through Jesus, we could rediscover Jesus and experience His birth.
We wish you a Christmas that you will experience the language of Jesus and keep on speaking it in your own life situation."
May all of you around the World wherever you are experience this Christ in you!
Angelus Silesius said it very well when he wrote: "Though Jesus Christ were born a thousand times in Bethlehem by his Mother, if he is not born again in you, then you are lost for evermore."
May Christ be born in your hearts, and reign there for His Love will be everlasting!
May the Joy of His Birth renew the Love for HIS Kingdom, and may the coming year bring all of us closer to God!
From Bishop Sunny in India:
Most Rev. Fr. Karl and Loving Brothers in Jesus Christ,
As I am meditating on "The message on Christmas", the wonderful answer popped into my mind as I read over this gospel on Christmas, the greatest beginning of the greatest story ever told. So much of the Christmas story is, truly, about listening.
When Gabriel arrives to bring Mary the news that she will bear a child…she listens.
When the angel tells Joseph in his dreams what is about to happen…he listens.
The shepherds listen when the angel announces the “good news of great joy.”
In the passage immediately following this, they go out and tell the world what they have seen. And the world listens.
Christmas invites us to listen.
To listen for God’s messengers. To listen for His good news.
And what good news it is: that God is with us! That we are no longer alone. That He has come into our lives, and into our world. “The grace of God has appeared,” Paul writes. Or as Isaiah puts it so beautifully: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”
Listening about True Love.
Then I start to contemplate the mystery of our God who became man. He is born in silence, poverty, simplicity and purity in Bethlehem, the house of bread. The sacred mystery of His Incarnation continued for us in the mystery of the Eucharist, God made real for us. God becomes man. Bread and wine becomes God-man. Each time we come to the Eucharist, we come to a new Bethlehem. He, who rested once in a manger, now rests in our entire being, as we receive him in the mystery of the Mass. "For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man" (Roman Missal, 3rd edition, Profession of Faith).
Tragedies exist; evil exists; bad things happen precisely because man rejects God. Our modern times are marked by a general rejection of God thus causing the terrible chaos that we see in the news each day. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils" (Isaiah 9: 1-2).
While Christmas is undoubtedly a time of great joy, it is also an occasion for deep reflection, even an examination of conscience. Whatever language we may speak as we contemplate the Christ child lying in the manger of Bethlehem, God speaks only one language and that language is the language of love.
Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, may we too, with eyes full of amazement and wonder, gaze upon the Child Jesus, the Son of God. And in his presence may our hearts burst forth in prayer: “Show us, Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation” (Ps 85:8).
Think of how Christmas comes to us – if only we listen for it.
With my prayers and Blessings,
+DR SUNNY ALAPPAT
With my prayers for you all
yours
+Karl
Contact: Rene Reid
Rene.Reid@CatholicChurchReformIntl.org
www.CatholicChurchReformIntl.org
Reformers Hold Out Hope for Women’s Ordination
People representing reform organizations from North America, India, Africa, Europe and Oceana have responded with care to what Pope Francis is saying. Knowing that a part of the Church is not ready to “receive” the ordination of women in the present form of priesthood, Pope Francis merely confirmed the teaching of Pope John Paul II in his apostolic letter of 1994. When asked if he saw the ordination of women as something that would “never, ever” happen, he indicated that it seemed to “be moving in that direction.” These reformers saw his words as still another in a long series of invitations for the “grassroots” to follow through on their heritage as full members of the People of God.
Francis has a fiduciary responsibility for a worldwide Church which includes both progressives and traditionalists. He is not an oracle nor does he want to be a dictatorial leader. He represents himself first and foremost as a pastor who has repeatedly invited the people to speak up, to share their wants and needs with their pastors, and have their bishops bring those desires to him. Then and only then will there be change to address the needs of our times in the Church.
Virginia Saldanha, an advisor to CCRI and a member of the Indian Women’s Theological Forum said: “Pope Francis has decided not to rock the conservative boat on the issue of women's ordination. Yet he is taking steps covertly in that direction. Inclusion of women in the Maundy Thursday washing of the feet liturgy; calling for a study of women deacons; and in several ways encouraging women to take their place among the people of God and exercise their baptismal call to a common priesthood.” Further, he openly greeted Antje Jackelen, the female Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala, during an ecumenical Service in Lund at the occasion commemorating 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. And earlier this year, Francis elevated the Memorial of St Mary Magdalene to the Feast of Mary Magdalene to be at the same level with her male Colleague-Apostles.
Peter Mbuchi of Kenya sees the response of Pope Francis as contextualized within Ecclesia in Africa. The core agenda of the church is evangelization: “I see the need to call for the thorough formation of the lay faithful. Since evangelizing means ‘bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new,’ Christians must be formed to live the social implications of the Gospel in such a way that their witness will become a prophetic challenge to whatever hinders the true good of the men and women of Africa and of every other continent.”
“The ordination of women and of married clergy may be coming sooner than we expect” said Clyde Christofferson, a CCRI advisor and member of the U.S. based Nova Eucharistic Community. “It’s what resonates with the Spirit within us. Francis recognizes the problem, and has done what he can in Amoris Laetitia and Evangelii Gaudium to help with the needed conceptual tools. The rest is up to the People of God to band together, to speak up, and to bring this initiative forward.”
Having in mind that a large majority of the biblical commission appointed in 1976 by Pope Paul VI were “in favor of the view that scriptural grounds alone are not enough to exclude the possibility of ordaining women and that Christ’s plan would not be transgressed by permitting the ordination of women,” the reformers continue to pray for guidance as they seek grass roots local gatherings of the people of God, to be followed in the next several years by larger gatherings to share and celebrate new ways of being church, ever more responsive to the Spirit of Christ.
The reformers continue to pray for guidance as they seek grassroots local gatherings of the people of God, to be followed in the next several years by larger gatherings to share and celebrate new ways of being church, ever more responsive to the Spirit of Christ. A website has been established for this purpose: www.ThePeopleSpeakOut.org. The People of God from around the world are invited to gather together, explore the kind of Church needed for our times, and share the outcome of their discussions on this site. These reports will be used to set the agenda for forthcoming Synods of the People of God being established by Council 50, who will be holding a meeting in Rome this weekend to discuss these matters.
***End***
Letter of information n°1 12 September 2016
Global Council Network
Towards a Church- Inspired by the Gospel-for the world
Por uma Igreja inspirada no Evangelho - para o mundo
Rumbo a una Iglesia inspirada en el Evangelio-para el mundo
Vers une Eglise-inspirée par l’Evangile-pour le monde
Verso una Chiesa ispirata dal Vangelo per il mondo
To all signatories of the Declaration and to the participants of the Council 50 Gathering of delegates on 20-22 November 2015 in Rome.
Dear All,
By your endorsing the “Council 50 declaration” you are part of the
“Global Council Network”. It is a pleasure to write to you to think and
work together on what should be this network. To recall the spirit of
our endeavor, the first part of this letter is an update on the last
gathering of delegates that took place last November in Rome. Then, a
second part will describe the main activities for the forthcoming years
planned during this gathering and finally the last part is an invitation
for you to contribute to the preparation of the first synod of the
people of God that will take place in 2018 in Brasilia. This synod will
be a major activity of the forthcoming years.
1) Update on the Gathering of delegates 20-22 November 2015 in Rome
First of all, let me briefly update those of you who did not attend the gathering of Rome.
Although the Council Vatican II renewed the Catholic Church, the
stride for expressing the Gospel message in a way that the contemporary
men and women can understand was stopped. The election of Pope Francis
and the spirit he gave in the early days to his pontificate, his renewed
attention to Synods, his attitudes, calls, gestures aroused great hope
and encouraged a large part of the Church to support him in his efforts
to turn the Church from a dogmatic attitude to a pastoral and evangelic
approach, and to respond to his exhortations, in particular that in
"Evangelii Gaudium1", recommending to the bishops "in certain
circumstances to walk behind the people because the herd possesses
itself an intuition to find new paths ".
In order to respond to
this call, to be faithful to the message of Vatican II2 and to the
Gospel and to give an opportunity of expression to the sensus
fidelium/fidei3, a gathering of delegates of reform movements,
associations and communities around the world was organized in Rome on
November 20-22 2015 on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the
close of the Council Vatican II, and of the Pact of Catacombs. About 100
delegates from 28 countries spread within 5 continents met together and
bring the views of their groups, movements, and countries on reforms to
be undertaken by our Church towards both:
i) the being of the
Church (the people including the hierarchy), her functioning and her
organization in order to improve her, so that she is in 21th century
what she says to be,
ii) the saying it and the doing of the Church
in order to allow her members to illuminate, with the Spirit of Jesus,
our evolving world and to contribute to its transformation into a world
of peace, social and economic justice, solidarity, a world fighting
against poverty in which every man and every woman can develop
him/herself in all the dimensions of his/her being. Hence the leitmotiv
"Council 50, towards a Church inspired by Gospels for the world ".
A book on this event is in progress and will be published as soon as
possible. Meanwhile you might read the article that Miriam Duignam wrote
in the March 2016 issue of the magazine RENEW on the gathering of Rome
and that is posted on the Council 50 website (http://www.council50.org/c55/ )
A first expression resulting from this gathering was the “Council 50
declaration” that most of you did endorse. This declaration was
submitted to Pope Francis on the 8th of December 2015, the 50th
anniversary of the close of Vatican II.
(http://www.council50.org/c55/declaration-2015 ).
Very much motivated by this gathering, participants demanded that the
process thus initiated in Rome be pursued. Therefore, right after the
last plenary session of the gathering, a new meeting was organized in
the afternoon of November 22 2015 in order to satisfy this demand.
During this meeting, a plan was established and agreed upon to proceed
along the same lines.
2) Actions agreed to be undertaken?
These actions are particularly aiming at
- give a new impulse to the great spectrum of movements fighting in
favor of the renovation of Catholic Church and give them the
possibility to express themselves, as members of the people of God;
-
consolidate proposals of the people of God in favor of the renovation
of Catholic Church, and particularly those of the Council 50
declaration;
- expand the network with reform organizations,
movements, communities, groups which didn't participate in Rome and
which work for a more democratic Church inspired by the Gospel and the
openings of the Council Vatican II, committed with peace, economic and
social justice, solidarity, integrity of creation, with equality in
rights and responsibilities between women and men in the Church.
You are therefore invited to undertake the following actions and to pray
the Holy Spirit for inspiring us the best way to accomplish them:
i) Endorsement of the “Council 50 declaration” by as many people as
possible, and development of the “Global Council network”. This network
is composed of all those who endorsed the declaration. This is easily
done via the website:
(http://www.council50.org/…/declarat…/endorse-the-declaration.
You are invited to contact your friends and present them the
declaration. If you want to be informed on the actions to be undertaken
along these lines, and eventually to contribute to these actions, do not
hesitate to contact me or a member of the Global Council network.
ii) work with local groups, associations, movements, communities,
parishes for thinking at the needed reforms to introduce both in the
Church and the world in the spirit of the “Council 50 declaration”, and
the best ways to implement them. A possible way to proceed is to
organize in your own territories forums, thematic discussions, etc. for
contributing to the building-up of a common agenda of issues to address,
having in mind the principles and directions of the Medellin Document
and of the Council 50 declaration in order to contribute to the
preparation of the forthcoming “Synod of the people of God” presented
below.
iii) Organization of a series of “Synods of the people of
God” on topics chosen along the lines of the Council 50 declaration,
taking into account its necessary improvement, and the specificities of
the culture and particularities of the regions where they will take
place. The first one in Latin America in 2018, presented below and the
second one in Africa in 2021.
3) The First Synod of the people of God in Brasilia in 2018 and its preparation
Following the very interesting proposal of Lula Ramires, Edson G.P.O.
Silva and Daniel Seidel from San Paulo in Brazil, the first Synod of
the people of God will take place in Brasilia in 2018, at the occasion
of the 50th anniversary of the Conference of Latin American Bishops that
took place in Medellin where the option for the Poor was reinforced and
the base communities recognized. This is the opportunity for every
community, group; movement all around the world to participate and
contribute to make its voice heard for reforms in the Church and the
society in order to transform our 21st century world in the light of the
Spirit of Jesus and the Gospel into a world of peace, social and
economic justice, solidarity, a world which respects human rights and
preserves our planet..
An international organizing committee
composed of delegates of reform networks or movements, including a local
committee particularly in charge of the practical local organization,
is being set-up. It is in charge of launching the process of elaboration
of the content of this Synod and to prepare the program in cooperation
with all groups, movements, communities interested. The first meeting of
the international committee preparing this synod will be held on 6-7
November 2016 in Rome.
It has been suggested that this Synod should
- emphasize the shortcomings of the present organization of our Church and of its behavior;
- present alternatives in the light of the Council Vatican II, the
Gospel and results from theological approaches including the theology of
liberation;
- express a vision, based on the message of Jesus,
that is able to inspire the whole world for social and economic justice,
solidarity, human rights, preservation of our planet and peace.
-
restore the hope that the good spirit laid down in documents more than
50 years ago, as well as in the papers, talks and practice of our Pope
Francis, is going to break through anyway.
What do you think?
It is very important in this venture to benefit from the support and contributions from all reform groups and movements throughout the world in order to build a synod that will express the views of the People of God.
This is why you are invited to sign with your name, email and association, group, movement, network, communities, etc., the letter of invitation to this synod which will be finalized during the meeting of the organizing committee in Rome.
Therefore, if you agree to sign the letter of invitation to the 2018 synod, you will receive the draft for review.
Furthermore, if you are interested to be part of the organizing
international committee, if you want to make suggestions for the synod,
regarding its aims, key points to address, ideas to convey, proposals of
reforms to be undertaken, particular activities to organise, please
send me an email (Francois.Becker@council50.org ).
With my best regards
François Becker
Secretary General of the European Network Church on the move
Coordinator of Global Council Network
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commandments and remain in His love." (John 15:9-10)
-Are Roman Catholics the only ones who go to heaven?
Answer: No
Answer: No
Answer: Yes
Answer: No
Answer: No
Answer: No
Answer: Yes
Answer: No
Answer: No
Answer: No
Answer: Not yet
Answer: No
Answer: No
Answer: No
Answer: Yes
Let us keep our hearts always open to the Holy Spirit who moves us in a dynamic way, who has always changed the church when it became static, and who will continue to renew the Church through the fire of the Holy Spirit with Love and needed reforms: to give the faithful a stronger voice in the Church; to be inclusive; to allow women ordinations; to have optional celibacy; to have a more transparent church administration that is filled with lay people from all walks of life; to find a kinder spirit within all of the church; to see in the poor and needy, the ostracized, the abandoned, the jailed... Christ himself; to experience in the fullness of nature all our brothers and sisters, straight and LGBT as complimentary.
-Se sirve a Cristo y al pueblo de Dios en la iglesia Romana y otras cuando muchas jerarquías juegan con poder y con actitudes exclusivos?
Respuesta: ningún
-Los fieles católicos romanos han encontrado realmente una voz en las decisiones de la jerarquía?
Respuesta: Aún no
-Es la decisión de elegir a los obispos romanos católicos sin la voz de las laicos un error? (En la iglesia primitiva era costumbre que el pueblo eligió por aclamación a los obispos).
Respuesta: Si
-Es la exclusión de las mujeres en la Iglesia Católica Romana del ministerio una actitud cristiano? (St. María Magdalena fue llamado el Apóstol de los Apóstoles. Hay mujeres que son diáconos, y mujeres sacerdotes en la iglesia temprana)
Respuesta: No
-Es la exclusión de los católicos homosexuales que desean participar plenamente en la Iglesia Católica Romana o de otras confesiones religiosas Cristiano verdadero?
Respuesta: No
-Sea el celibato opcional una opción más digna entre de los sacerdotes y obispos (en la Iglesia Católica durante más de mil años hubo clero casado casado incluyendo 39 papas; la Iglesia Católica Romana tiene clero casado con familias convertido de clérigo de la Iglesia Anglicana, luterana y otra Iglesia de Rito romano). Célibes y sacerdotes casados puedan vivir lado a lado.
Respuesta: Sí
Please share this with the people wherever you are. Thank you!
September 1, 2016
Today we released the following press release as the newly created department for the Laity, Family and Life is officially launched. We offer this for your reading and, if you agree, we invite you to send this out to your local news media.
If reform is going to come in our Church, it will be because the people are speaking out and being heard. If you want to join in the reform movement, we encourage you to start or join a small local gathering.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rene Reid
Work phone: 775-825-9196; Cell phone: 775-772-1210
Rene.Reid@CatholicChurchReformIntl.org
www.CatholicChurchReformIntl.org
Catholic Reform Group Urges
New Department for the Laity, Family, and Life
to Actively Collaborate with Lay-led Initiatives
Catholic Church Reform Int'l urges newly appointed Bishop Kevin Farrell to welcome and support lay-led initiatives as he launches the Dicastery for the Laity today.
While acknowledging disappointment that a lay person, a family man or woman, was not assigned to head the department for the laity, family and life, through an Open Letter, Catholic Church Reform Int'l congratulates the recently appointed head, Bishop Kevin Farrell, for having long pushed for a greater involvement of the laity in the life of the church. The Reform Group asks specifically for these actions to be part of the new department:
In filling your 35-member staff, set as a goal that the majority of staff members will be made up of qualified `lay Catholics from various parts of the world who share Pope Francis's vision for the pastoral care of the Church.
Staff members will have - not only an advisory role but - an influential and deliberative voice in the proceedings of this department.
When the vision of your department aligns with lay-led initiatives, that you offer your full support and willingness to collaborate with such movements.
"Pope Francis continues to call for the laity to 'play a major role in the life and mission of the church,'" says CCRI director, Rene Reid. "He seems to recognize that the reform needed will not come without the people speaking up and assuming some leadership. With this new department being launched today, we fully expect lay-led initiatives to be welcomed and supported." A case in point: In 1968 South American bishops held a conference in Meddellin Columbia where the principles of the Second Vatican Council were emphasized. Now 50 years later in 2018, a group of lay-led Catholics calling themselves Council 50 are calling for a People's Synod to be held in Brazil to carry on the work still left undone by the Vatican Council. "We've had two recent synods attended primarily by bishops. The time is right to call a People's Synod and we hope to see this new dicastery support us in our efforts," says Ed Schreurs, a member of both CCRI and Council 50. The group is currently in process of collecting an opinion poll and calling local dialogue meetings for the purpose of producing statements that will be placed on the agenda of the 2018 Synod. Agreeing with the critical importance of calling local gatherings where the people can share their opinions with one another, Catholic Church Reform Int'l is currently encouraging these small local gatherings in communities in various cities around the world. All are welcomed to participate and let their voice be heard.
Nativity, Navidad A. D. 2015
December 2nd, Blessed Charles de Foucauld, A. D. 2015
From your Ecumenical Primate
(Please share share with as many people all, compartir con todos)
Peace to you brothers and sisters in Christ!
With Advent, preparing and awaiting the Second coming of Christ,
but moreover Christ in our lives here an now, and with the beginning of a
new Church year, we are compelled to get closer to Christ. How can we
do this? We shall take more time, read and reflect in prayerful ways on
the Gospel. Christ is not a far away entity that has no meaning to us
humans in the here an now. Far be it. Only the world of total
consumption, of instant gratification, wanting everything immediately,
contradicts the world of Christians living toward compassion, giving,
and sharing that divine Love that God has bestowed on us in His beloved
Son, Jesus the Christ. Only by focusing on the life of Jesus with our
hearts and minds, his message of compassion, and the way he cares for
all of God's people, as he crosses the local religious boundaries to
reach also none-Jews, will open our eyes to a new dimension that we live
in this world but we are not totally left in it.
Christ's first
coming in poverty, helplessness, exposed to danger, was the first
eye-opener of the known local world. In the light of his life of poverty
-not being attached to earthly things, and living in the Spirit of God,
his teaching, his sacrifice, that was in a way ordinary, but
extraordinary in his expressions, his deeds, his human and divine love,
was also the discovery of a new way of life of millions and millions of
people throughout their short existence on this earth...
Let us
learn from Jesus, let us live and imitate him in our lives, so we may
draw others toward the Kingdom of God which we shall seek first and
foremost.
And for this Christ needs to be born in our hearts,
our little Bethlehem, that includes the foretaste of Golgotha, and will
see beyond the mystery of suffering and death the vision of eternal
life.
Wishing you all a blessed and joyous Season of this Adventus
Domini, which will also one day be our last, yet in the light of the
Glory of God that awaits us for we have been faithful to HIS Word and
Sacraments.
Your servant of Christ
+Karl
Bishop
Paz a vosotros hermanos y hermanas en Cristo!
Con el advenimiento, preparando y esperando la segunda venida de
Cristo, pero por otra parte Cristo en nuestra vidas aquí y ahora, y con
el inicio de un nuevo año de iglesia, estamos obligados a acercarnos a
Cristo. ¿Cómo podemos hacerlo? Debemos tomar más tiempo, leer y
reflexionar en formas de oración sobre el Evangelio. Cristo no es una
entidad lejana que no tiene ningún significado para nosotros los seres
humanos en el aquí y ahora. Lejos esté! Sólo el mundo del consumo total,
de gratificación inmediata, queriendo todo inmediatamente, contradice
el mundo de Cristianos que viven hacia la compasión, dar y compartir ese
amor divino que Dios ha regalado a nosotros en su hijo amado, Jesús el
Cristo. Sólo centrándose en la vida de Jesús con nuestros corazones y
mentes, su mensaje de compasión y la forma que él cuida de todo el
pueblo de Dios, como él cruza las fronteras religiosas locales para
llegar también a no judíos, abrirá nuestros ojos a una nueva dimensión
que vivimos en este mundo pero no somos totalmente izquierdas en él. De
Cristo primero en la pobreza, desamparo, expuesta al peligro, fue al
primero un abridor de de los ojos para el mundo local conocido. A la luz
de su vida de su pobreza -no cosas apegadas a lo terrenal, y viviendo
en el Espíritu de Dios, sus enseñanzas, su sacrificio, aparece a una
manera normal, pero extraordinario en sus expresiones, sus obras, su
amor humano y divino, fue también el descubrimiento de una nueva forma
de vida de millones y millones de personas a lo largo de su corta
existencia en esta tierra... Aprender de Jesús, nos dejó vivir e
imitarlo en nuestras vidas, por lo que podemos llamar otros hacia el
Reino de Dios que vamos buscamos ante todo.
Y para esto Cristo
necesito de ser nacido en nuestros corazones, nuestra pequeña Belén, que
incluye el anticipo de Gólgota, y ve más allá el misterio del
sufrimiento y la muerte la visión de la vida eterna.
Deseándoles a todos una temporada alegre y bendecida de este Adventus Domini, que también un día será el último para nosotros, sin embargo, a la luz de la Gloria de Dios que nos espera porque hemos sido fieles a su palabra y los sacramentos.
Su siervo de Cristo
+Karl
Below some expressions over the Synod and the more reform-work that needs to be done!
A continuación, algunas expresiones sobre el Sínodo y el trabajo de reforma más que hay que hacer!
"...We shall be having a serious conversation about our priorities for
2016 at our last meeting for this year... One of those priorities will
be to advocate for regional meetings between bishops, priests and
interested laity. Now that Pope Francis has succeeded in getting 250
bishops to talk to one another and even to use the imagery of ‘walking
with...’, we will be asking the local episcopate to talk and walk with
their people. So far, most have not done either mainly because they
don’t know how to go about it.
In short, well be doing a great deal
of thinking over the Summer about what was actually achieved at the
Synod. There was one stand out: Francis succeeded in getting the
bishops not only to start thinking outside the prepared script but
actually to talk with one another and with a handful of non clerics too.
But the Pope’s principal accomplishment was, with the help of the
German group, to persuade the bishops to accept Thomas Aquinas’ eight
hundred year old theology of the primacy of conscience, Aquinas’ Moral
Theology which is grounded in the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope and
Love and not based on the Ten Commandments or Ecclesiastical Law.
In
anyone’s language, this was a break through because most of the Synodal
bishops were probably taught not Moral Theology but positive law based
ethics taught by Canon Lawyers and fixated on sin and sinful actions.
We are very keen to engage with our bishops on these points but this may
take years not weeks or months but at least Francis has made a crack in
the jar for us.
The Synod is just over, there is no deep
perspective which comes with time but the thoughts of two Australian
voices probably speak clearly enough for most of us right now
Best wishes
David Timbs, Australia
Paul Collins’ assessment of the Synod:
“I was talking recently about the Synod with a very experienced parish
priest. He said that if the bishops thought we were all waiting with
bated breath for their decision regarding the divorced remarried
receiving Communion, then they really do live in cloud cuckoo-land.
Nowadays divorced Catholics don’t just hang around waiting for a bevy of
bishops to decide. They follow their consciences and do what they think
is right, especially if they have talked to a sensible, pastoral
priest. Sure, many have understandably walked away from the church, but
many have stayed having made their own decisions about going to
Communion – the internal forum solution.
So really it’s irrelevant
what the Synod decided. Even on the gay issue sensible Catholics already
understand that talk about people being ‘intrinsically disordered’ is
not only utterly insensitive; it is also ‘intrinsically’ un-Christ-like
and evangelically ‘disordered’! But that doesn’t mean the Synod was a
failure. It was a success because it recovered something of the church’s
Catholicity. Genuine Catholicism implies a universal, multi-ethnic,
non-sectarian church, a community of many parts and differing views. My
major criticism of the two popes before Francis is that they were
essentially ‘uncatholic’; they promoted a narrow, ‘pure’, sectarian
church, the antithesis of Catholicity. That’s why they loved outfits
like the Neo-Catechuminate and Opus Dei; they are sectarian in structure
and intention. But the bishop of Rome, as Francis likes to be called,
encouraged the synod to be genuinely Catholic and, unlike his
predecessors, called on participants to express views that differed from
his own. For the first time since Paul VI revived the Synod in 1965,
this gathering was actually free. Bishops could speak their minds and
weren’t constantly second-guessing the pope.”
Eric Hodgens, a
retired Melbourne Archdiocesan priest who is highly respected throughout
the country recently wrote a short piece on the Synod: “One of
Francis’s objectives has been to restore genuine consultation to the
synod. He has achieved this. They did talk together. Their consolidated
opinions achieved a two thirds majority on every paragraph of the final
document. A contentious issue was admitting divorced and remarried to
the sacraments. Could this be softened? In Greek epeikeia means
gentleness or leniency. In church canon law it means a modified
interpretation of the law when the law does not fit the circumstances of
a case.
The “internal forum” stands in contrast to the external
forum of a court where evidence can be proved. When this is not possible
a conscientious judgement can be made in the internal forum. This has
been a long held procedure in moral theology, but making use of it was
authoritatively discouraged and policed under Wojtyla and Ratzinger.
Between epeikeia and internal forum people can work out a solution in
their own case. This opens a way to approval of Communion for divorcees.
By taking this path the synod bishops saw themselves as opening a door.
The trouble is that the horse had bolted long ago. Most remarried
divorcees who really want to go to Communion do so – and with their
pastor’s encouragement. But restatement of the embargo has been so
alienating that many no longer even want to receive. And any decent
pastor knows that once they go, they go forever.”
Here are some Ideas you can use to promote and spread the reform ideas :
Use Twitter and Facebook
Write invitational letters to Bishops
Create guidelines for how to conduct a meeting
Invite our supporters to talk to their pastors and local bishops
Invite our organizations who are part of us
Share this idea with key leaders
How to identify and empower people to go talk to their church leaders
Invite everyone into this dialogue
Invite leaders of reform groups to join in a teleconference call to
discuss how to facilitate organizing people to set up local meetings.
Reach out to reform group leaders to get their ideas for how to support
Francis’s desire to set up local meetings with their pastors and
bishops.
An article from Joan Chittister that helps us accomplish this and focus the conversation.
How to flush out the key issues in the final document
How to get details of each meeting back to us? Have one shared website used by all reform groups.
Do we need to narrow the focus down? And, if so, how?
How do we go about getting the ball rolling to start up local meetings?
Tell Joan our intent. How do we get lay people to talk to their pastors and bishops? If not Joan, who can help us?
October 25th
+Dr. Karl Rodig
Feast of the Guardian Angels, October 2nd, A. D. 2015
(Please share share with all people. Compartir con todos)
Peace and greetings to all in the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ around the World!
We approaching the Second part of the Synod on the Family. As we have learned and experienced, the Family in today's world is broader than the past has shown. We do realize that it is a multi facet social entity that is also complex in its nature. Young people who grow up are thinking more inclusive and see society more critical. The decision to marry is tough as society is driven by consumerism and ego trips in many ways. Yet, the desire to love someone wholeheartedly is still alive and needs to be nurtured, especially through the true meaning and experiencing of love, faith, and the everlasting hope that God is always there for us.
Through the last century, theology has seen many changes in its view of who God is and we still have sometimes distorted and narrow minded views of God. As God is always the Other, we will never comprehend God fully, yet enough to make us loving him with all our hearts, mind and soul.
As the bishops, priests, and lay representatives gather in Rome again, and as we see the Pope Francis desire to reach out to all who make up the family, -and all means all- we are part of this renewal in the Church, and also looking for change.
I have attached the document in PDF Format, so you can all read it, it is in English, it shows a deeper understanding and also an insight what is happening with the Church, and where we need to be more constructive to work towards needed reforms!
Please read it yourself, sign it and send it our, help to publicize it where and whenever you can.
Be all blessed
With my prayers for you all, and pray for me.
+Karl
Here is the message from our Chair for the Catholic Church Reform International:
Please send out the attached model email to bishops, clergy, and anyone who might have an influence on the Synod:
Knowing the challenge in getting people to open an attachment when sent from an unknown source, attached is a model email ready to go out to attendees of the Synod or anyone who might have an influence on them. We have included our survey summary in the body of the email with a link given to the full report: The People Speak. In the days remaining between now and the opening of the Synod (October 4, 2015), we encourage you to use this model email and send it out to anyone and everyone to make known the views of the people of God.
The Women’s Ordination Conference:
Several of us have just returned from the WOW Conference. It was a beautiful experience with about 500 reform-minded people from around the world. We gathered about 50 new individuals and five new organizations as supporters. We held a workshop called Speaking Out with a Common Global Voice to which over a hundred people attended. To read more about it and see a few of the photos that were taken, go to our homepage: www.CatholicChurchReformIntl.org and scroll down to the heading: CCRI Representatives attend WOW Conference.
A Pilgrimage for Reform leading up to a Worldwide People’s Synod
While we were in Rome last year, Janet Hauter made a presentation at our workshop introducing the idea of having a Pilgrimage for Reform in 2016 and a People’s Synod in 2017-18. The idea of a People’s Synod originally stemmed from a national VOTF conference in 2009. The concept continued to grow legs at this conference and to garner more support. We will keep you posted about this monumental project as further discussion continues.
Thanks to all for your support,
Rene
¡Paz y saludos a todos en la Iglesia Católica Ecuménica de Cristo alrededor del mundo!
Nosotros acercándose a la Segunda parte del Sínodo en la Familia. Como hemos aprendido y hemos experimentado, la Familia en el mundo de hoy es más amplia que el pasado ha mostrado. Realmente realizamos que es una faceta multó-entidad social que también es compleja en su naturaleza.
Los jóvenes que crecen piensan más globales y ven la sociedad más crítica. La decisión de casarse es resistente ya que la sociedad es conducida por protección al consumidor y viajes del ego desde muchos puntos de vista. Sin embargo, el deseo de amar a alguien sinceramente todavía está vivo y necesita ser nutridos, especialmente a través del verdadero significado y experimentar del amor, la fe y la esperanza eterna de que Dios siempre está ahí para nosotros.
Durante el siglo pasado, la teología ha visto muchos cambios de su opinión de a quién Dios es y todavía hemos deformado a veces y visiones dispuestas estrechas de Dios. Como Dios siempre es el Otro, nunca entenderemos a Dios totalmente, aún bastante para hacernos amándole con todos nuestros corazones, mente y alma. Como los obispos, sacerdotes, y están los representantes se juntan en Roma otra vez, y ya que vemos a Papa Francisco desear tender la mano a todos que arreglan a la familia, - y todos los medios todo-somos la parte de esta renovación en la iglesia, y también buscamos un cambio.
¡He atado el documento en el Formato de PDF, por tanto lo puede leer todo, está en inglés, muestra un entendimiento más profundo y también una perspicacia lo que pasa con la iglesia, y donde tenemos que ser más constructivos para trabajar para conseguir reformas necesarias! Por favor léalo usted mismo, fírmele y envíelo a sus locales obispos, y a todos que desean un cambio en la Iglesia; así ayude a hacerlo público donde y siempre que pueda.
Sean todos bendecidos
Con mis rezos de todos ustedes, y también rezan por mí.
+Karl
Aquí está el mensaje de nuestra Silla para Catholic Church Reform International: Por favor envíe el correo electrónico modelo adjunto a obispos, clero y cualquiera que podría tener una influencia en el Sínodo: Saber el desafío en conseguir de la gente abrir un accesorio cuando enviado de una fuente desconocida, atada es un correo electrónico modelo listo para salir a asistentes del Sínodo o cualquiera que podría tener una influencia en ellos. Hemos incluido nuestro resumen de la revisión en el cuerpo del correo electrónico con una relación dada al informe lleno: La gente Habla. En los días restante entre ahora y la apertura del Sínodo (el 4 de octubre de 2015), le animamos a usar este correo electrónico modelo y enviarlo a cualquiera y cada uno para hacer conocido las visiones de las personas de Dios. La conferencia de la ordenación femenina: Varios de nosotros acaban de volver de la Conferencia WOW. Era una experiencia hermosa con aproximadamente 500 personas dispuestas a la reforma de todo el mundo. Juntamos a aproximadamente 50 nuevos individuos y cinco nuevas organizaciones como partidarios. Creímos que un taller llamó Hablar claro con una Voz Global Común a la cual más de cien personas asistieron. Para leer más sobre ello y ver algunas de las fotos que fueron tomadas, vaya a nuestra página de inicio: www.CatholicChurchReformIntl.org y voluta abajo al título: los representantes de CCRI asisten a la Conferencia WOW. Una Peregrinación para Reforma que conduce a un Sínodo de una gente Mundial Mientras estábamos en Roma el año pasado, Janet Hauter hizo una presentación a nuestro taller que introduce la idea de tener una Peregrinación para la Reforma en 2016 y un Sínodo de una gente en 2017-18. La idea de un Sínodo de una gente al principio provino de una conferencia VOTF nacional en 2009. El concepto siguió cultivando piernas en esta conferencia y recoger más apoyo. Le guardaremos fijado sobre este proyecto monumental mientras que la discusión adicional sigue.
Gracias a todos para su apoyo,
Rene
September XX, 2015Name of person being addressed Via Electronic mailDear Bishop:Below please find a summary of responses to a global survey conducted by Catholic Church Reform International. The vast majority of survey respondents are active Catholics and people who are searching for the Lord – people who have good will but for whom particular Church teachings regarding the family have proven to be a stumbling block. Pope Francis has called for pastoral responses that do not simply bind the wounds but address root causes.We commend this summary for your consideration. We pray for you and for the guidance of the Spirit so that the members of the Synod will be overcome with the joy of the Gospel to find a way forward for families.
THE PEOPLE SPEAKA Jubilee Year Research InitiativeAs a tribute to Pope Francis’s call for a Jubilee Year of Mercy, we began a collaborative project with two reform communities, Catholic Church Reform International (CCRI) and the American Catholic Council (ACC), addressing the same thematic questions targeted by the Lineamenta questionnaire but offered in more comprehensible language.
Respondents self-identified as Active Catholics (78%), Former Catholics (9%), Other Christians (1%), Other Faiths (9%) and unidentified (3%). Involving over 5000 participants, our focus was to provide real responses from lived experiences drafted by a global Catholic population, noting the comparisons and contrasts across the regions of the world.Respondents were asked to rate the effectiveness of the pastoral care of the Church on 14 issues providing additional comments or recommended solutions, if desired.
In our most recent survey, responses, expressed in English, came from 44 countries globally. The areas of greatest discontent with the Church’s pastoral care are:
TopicFavorable Effectiveness Poor or Ineffective
Cohabitation 9% 71%
Inter-faith Marriage35%38%
LGBT6%76%Contraception12%76%
Single Parent Families 30%40%
Mixed Family 20%29%
Divorced/Remarried 13%81%
Left the Church 15%77%
Women 19%72%
Troubles in Families 23%64%
Children in Difficult Situations 31%37%
Clerical Sex Abuse 11%70%
Women/Children 20%47%
Marriage Preparation 46%26%
Divorced/Remarriage--81% ineffective
Left the Church—77% ineffective
LGBT—76% ineffective
Contraception—76% ineffective
Women—72% ineffective
Cohabitation—71% ineffective
Sex Abuse---70% ineffective
If there were one word exemplifying the grace-filled responses of our research, it would be woundedness. Deeply hurt by the execution of a “pathology of power” (words used by Pope Francis himself) in our Church many were unable to experience faith in its fullest. The “field hospital” described by Pope Francis was imagery offering hope that mercy and healing were actually possible and may have influenced responses.In the comments offered, there were many passionate pleas asking for compassion from a rigid, legalistic Church that lost Jesus’ core message of love. Our research was both not surprising and surprising. Not surprising because it reiterated what we already knew and conversely surprising in the raw honesty that was shared. The quick, honest responses gathered were, no doubt, prompted by Pope Francis’s never-before invitation to hear from the people directly. As the world watches this pope, we are being vicariously influenced and empowered to find our voices and respectfully speak truth through our stories akin to the method used by Jesus in His teaching.The People of God recognize that we are a Church groaning in pain with an institutional Church judging us punitively for life-altering decisions with no understanding of contemporary lived experiences made under undue stress. As the Pope models Christ’s values inviting us to do the same in being more welcoming, inviting and nurturing, our survey responses expressed consistent calls for institutional reform: Welcome the Divorced and Remarried to the Sacraments: The People of God commend Pope Francis for offering a “life-giving” solution to the issue of divorced people receiving Eucharist and we encourage the bishops to embrace this position. Reach out to and make every effort to embrace Catholics who’ve left: The Church at all levels must adopt a more pastoral Christ-like presence to become more just, welcoming, inviting, and nurturing of those who have left, compassionately make contact through a visit, survey, etc. to learn their reasons. We may learn something and those that left will feel as though someone cares. Leave decisions regarding artificial contraception to personal conscience: By far, the majority of Catholics have followed the Doctrine of Reception that states that if the people do not accept a particular church teaching and it is ignored, the teaching is not valid. This is clearly the case with the Church’s stance on artificial contraception. Responsible Parenthood must be recognized as a value among families today. Treat the LGBT community with respect:: There is great concern with the disrespectful language [e.g. “disordered state”] and abhorrent behavior dealt toward the LGBT community. Households with such children find the Church’s treatment of their children reprehensible. Radical, humane changes in church behavior and pronouncements must occur mirroring scientific discoveries, compassion and tolerance. Recognize the equality of women in the Church: The Church must drop the myth and pretense of prohibiting women’s assent to authority and offices. This corrupt distortion of justice does not mirror historical precedent, as women were once deacons. Women can no longer suffer the discriminatory gender bias in an institution that chooses to be unjust
The survey report reveals that the People of God believe change is imperative in order for the Church to reflect Jesus’ values of love, inclusion, and compassion. In keeping with Pope Francis’s directive to have the Bishops gather the concerns of the people, we call upon all bishops to prayerfully consider the outpouring expressed by these caring Catholics. Let us work together to build a Church that ever more fully reveals the eternal love of God our Creator, as revealed by Jesus, and enlivened by the Holy Spirit.The full survey report, called The People Speak, can be found at http://www.catholicchurchreform.com/…/Jubileepapersurveydat… in Christ,[Your signature]On behalf of Catholic Church Reform Internationalwww.CatholicChurchReformIntl.org
(Please share share with as many people all)
Peace to you all, brothers and sisters in Christ.
I hope you all enjoying the time of Summer, and share the many
gifts God provides in the Holy Spirit. The Lord has shown HIS Grace upon
the people created in HIS love, we see this in many inspiring ways in
our missions around the world. It is the little things that we do for
others in need, be it in your pastoral care for others, be it through
our orphanages, the poor, the education that you provide, the healing
that you bring to others.
We are aware that Pope Francis is
facing many obstacles from church forces within that try to block his
loving heart to the world. We are here to support his efforts, and as he
is listening to us, we pray in the Holy Spirit, that all will be
according to God's Will.
As we approaching the Jubilee Year
of Mercy, and as we will discuss more pertinent family issues for the
Synod in Rome, I urge you to spread the following documents below to
many people as possible, including all our clergy, and the faithful, and
if you have connection with Roman Catholic clergy let them know as
well.
Thank you!!
Catholic Church Reform International Press Release. Please you can. It is vital for the continuation of the Synod in Rome! Thank you!!
Below is the press release that we encourage you to disseminate to all of your media contacts and local media outlets
Attached are 3 items: (1) the draft cover letter that we offer as a model for sending to your bishops; (2) the survey data report; and (3) reflections and recommendations regarding the Jubilee Paper. In this last section, it is a most appropriate place to add your own comments regarding any unique cultural issues pertinent to your region of the world.
Much work has gone into the survey, gathering of the data, and the drafting of this paper. Let’s join together to spread it far and wide around the world. As for CCRI, we will make every effort to get this paper to every attendee of the coming Synod. But it would not be a waste of effort, if some of the bishops received more than one copy. So let us now “go forth and multiply.” Let us use this time between now and the opening of the Synod to get this paper into the hands of every Catholic, every former Catholic, every pastor, every bishop, and Pope Francis himself. This paper is truly the voice of the People who have spoken out loudly and clearly in our surveys and regional gatherings throughout the world.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CATHOLICS WORLDWIDE OVERWHELMINGLY ECHO POPE FRANCIS'S CALL FOR CHURCH TO CHOOSE PASTORAL PATH OF MERCY IN MINISTERING TO THE FAITHFUL
A few days after his election, Pope Francis, when speaking to his first Sunday audience in St. Peter's Square, recalled Jesus's striking attitude toward the woman taken in adultery, "We do not hear words of scorn, we do not hear words of condemnation, but only words of love, of mercy, that invite us to conversion. Neither do I condemn you: go and sin no more!" It is within the context of this generous spirit of mercy that Catholic Church Reform International and the American Catholic Council have united to mark the Jubilee Year of Mercy by releasing The People Speak, a global report based on the feedback of over 5000 participants, who rated the efficacy of Church teaching on the Baptized and often added personal comments giving context to their ratings. In many areas of family life, significant majorities of respondents rated Church teachings as ineffective or extremely ineffective.
The report contains the painful stories of ordinary people, the vast majority of whom identify as committed, active Catholics, who struggle to maintain dignity and authenticity in situations not honored in Church doctrine or Canon Law. "The Church has betrayed children of her own family and, with no allowance for communication, has cut off all who are unable to live within its rules," said Rene Reid, director of Catholic Church Reform Int'l. "The wounded, the hurting, those in greatest need of the Sacraments are banned from the Eucharistic Table. This is unconscionable!" The survey respondents call for the Church to show some understanding for families who seek God and have good will, but who are nonetheless judged unworthy and marginalized. The CCRI-ACC coalition sees this not as a call for the cheap mercy of less stringent doctrine, but rather as witness to the priority which Christ gave to responding more closely to what is written on the human heart. The survey results identify areas in which this priority needs further attention by church hierarchy, including: divorce and remarriage without annulment, cohabitation, and issues related to Gay-Lesbian respect and equality.
It is the hope of the CCRI-ACC coalition that the integrity of The People Speak, containing the thoughts, feelings, opinions, experiences, hopes and faith of Catholics throughout the world, will help our leaders from the Pope through to local pastors prepare for the October 2015 Ordinary Synod of Bishops taking place in Rome in October, 2015. "We are committed to building a welcoming, inviting, and nurturing Church and to work side by side with Pope Francis to transform our Church into one that lives and practices the joy of the Gospel," said Janet Hauter, director of the U.S. based American Catholic Council.
Please go to the documents, "the People speak"
The People Speak (link to the Jubilee Paper posted on our CCRI website)
If needed, please contact our Director:
Contact: Rene Reid, CCRI Director
Phone: 775-772-1210; Email: rene.reid@CatholicChurchReformIntl.org
(Please share with all)
Ecumenical Catholic Diocese of Los Angeles Archangels and Seraphim Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ
Fr. Georgi Dimitrov, Fr. Mihail Novak, Fr. Stefan Rusev, Fr. Stefan Vasilev, Fr. Svetlozar Arabadjiev. Deacon Alfred Foskolo, Deacon Grigor Paskov, Deacon Yordan Marchev, Subdeacon Aleksandar Cenov, and Subdeacon Emilian Georgiev.