The Worldwide Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ

ECCLESIA CATOLICA ECUMENICA CHRISTI

Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ

Iglesia Católica Ecuménica de Cristo

Ökumenische Katholische Kirche Christi

Ecumenical Kanisa Katoliki la Kristo

Œcuménique Église catholique du Christ

კონსტანტინეპოლის კათოლიკური ეკლესია ქრისტეს

Вселенската католическа църква на Христос

Вселенский католическая церковь Христа

كنيسة المسيح الكاثوليكية المسكونية

Igreja Catolica Ecumenica De Cristo

Chiesa Cattolica Ecumenica Di Cristo

Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Georgia, Hong Kong, India,

Latin America New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia,

Ukraine, The Caribbean, The Philippines, USA

Holy See of The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ

International Headquarters

5247 Sheridan Street

Detroit, MI 48213

e-mail: cathedralst.anthony@yahoo.com

Cathedral Website:

http://www.cathedralofstanthonydetroit.org

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 Glass 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

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Join the Facebook: Karl Rodig

From the Office of the Ecumenical Primate

++Dr. Karl Rodig
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!

September 5th, A. D. 2019

(Please share with all, thank you! Si prega di condividere con tutti, grazie! Por favor, compártanlo con todos, ¡gracias! S'il vous plaît partager avec tous, merci! Por favor, compartilhe com todos, obrigado! Пожалуйста, поделитесь со всеми, спасибо! कृपया सभी के साथ साझा करें, धन्यवाद! Моля, споделете с всички, благодаря! Будь ласка, поділіться з усіма, дякую! გთხოვთ ყველას გაგიზიაროთ, დიდი მადლობა!)

Peace, Greetings, and Blessing, brothers and sisters in Christ of our Worldwide Church!

Sending you all God's richest blessings. We are marching forward as a Church that is gaining more and more recognition from many members of the Clergy of the Roman Church, and other Churches as well.

Yet we do still experience hate from certain clergy of the Roman Church that is threatening with violence our people. This just happened in Kenya as our Nuncio for Africa reported it to me. We shall not be discouraged by such unchristian behavior as we seek to live according to the teaching of Christ, and the early church's teaching as well. It is of course puzzling that pastors call themselves Christian are acting in the contrary. Yet the words of Jesus will always be in our hearts, "Be not afraid...if they have persecuted me they will persecute you..." Let us carry our cross with confidence that God's grace will always be in our hearts as we love God and serve each other with love, respect, and dignity.

I. I wanted to remind you to re-read the letter I send you at the end of last year for our Synod to hold local meetings and explore with the faithful the issues how to better built local faith communities, and to see the burning issues within your communities in a social, religious and cultural context.

II. Soon I will present you a document that we have used many years ago for applications for joining the clergy education and formation process. This can be revised and shared according to your local context within the diocesan jurisdictions. I asked the Nuncios to work on a draft independently. Looking forward to hearing from it.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

On an other good note, I like to share with you a letter from the Roman Catholic Church's International Reform Movement to which we are a member of. It shows that we are walking in a similar way with all the struggles, and that we are the willing ones, and that we are loved by so many that our hearts overflow with joy.

Here is the letter from the Director of the Catholic Church Reform International, Mrs. Rene Reid, "My life has taken me from the sublime of religious life to the rough-and-tumble world of politics. As a nun, I was taught to turn the other cheek. In politics, I learned that, when an opponent says something destructive about you, you must respond. Otherwise whatever was said goes down in the records as true. I have been banned from attending the ICRN meetings, first in Bratislava and now again in Warsaw. I’ve never been told what the ICRN organizers were told about me to disqualify me from the meeting. But knowing that I’ve spent much of my life working for reform in the Church, I can’t imagine why I would not be allowed to come . . . even if only as an observer. In light of my being absent from the meeting, I would like to offer a couple of contributions for possible discussion. The first is the importance of concentrating our reform efforts on the grassroots. Having spent far too much energy over the past six years trying to interact with church hierarchy, we at CCRI have come to the conclusion that changing the Church from the top down is not likely to happen in our lifetime. We at CCRI are putting most of our energy into making what changes we can through the people by promoting lay-initiated activities such as building small faith communities and hosting Plenary Councils/Peoples Synods/meetings called by the people.

The second is the importance of working together. As some of you know, when CCRI first began back in 2013, we meet with many obstacles. I turned to someone for whom I have great admiration, Sr. Joan Chittister, and asked for help. She was excited about what we hoped to do, offered to become our Special Advisor, and wrote a letter that went out to leaders of church reform organizations worldwide. In the letter, she said:
Until we raise a common voice we will not only not be heard, we will not even be listened to in the light of larger issues and larger groups, all clamoring for attention….I do think that our leaders should model together another way of being church…without competition, without distrust, without control….My hope is that by speaking out together – a strong chorus of calls for Reform – we can provide a common, a clear, a strong and ongoing voice for the yet incomplete vision of Vatican II….My hope is that in our desire to be heard on particular issues – all of them important – we do not lose the strength of our common voice by reducing it to a whisper.
Even though each of us has our own unique causes, I continue to believe in Joan’s plea for reformers to come together … without competition, without distrust, without control, and without exclusion.
I remember a moment in time when there was hope for this kind of collaboration among the reform community. Just after Sr. Joan’s letter went out, on September 4, 2013, over sixty of us came together on a teleconference call. Fr. Tony Flannery led us in prayer. We raised the question: Was there one issue that we could all put aside our unique causes and get behind a single common position? And the answer came rather quickly: “All Catholics have the right and responsibility, innately deriving from our baptism, to have an effective and deliberative voice in the decision-making of our Church. The full participation of the faith community is in accordance with the Gospel, the tradition of the early Church, and the vision of Vatican II.”
Ten people from eight different countries were recommended by the group to serve on the drafting committee. On September 20^th, the letter was hand-delivered to Pope Francis and 10 press conferences, all delivering the same message, were held in cities around the world. To read it in its entirety, click on:

https://www.catholicchurchreform.org/216/index.php/get-involved/letters-to-the-pope/25-for-a-voice-in-the-decision-making-of-our-church.

I’m sure that ICRN feels that they are collaborating. But as long as other reform organizations and individuals are banned from being allowed to attend, we are ourselves are guilty of hypocrisy when we preach that we want a welcoming and inclusive church but fail to practice this among ourselves.

I offer my prayers for a successful outcome of your gathering. Although I will not be present, it is my hope that you will seriously consider my contributions to your meeting and conclude your conference with an agreed-upon resolution. In the peace and love of Christ,
Rene Reid CCRI director" August 31st, 2019

This letter of Rene shows also the obstacles and the problems that we all face with the Roman Hierarchy.

We are aware that Pope Francis is not like this. There are people around him who control certain issues and it is known that letters sent to the Pope are not even given to him unless they are hand delivered.

The ECCC is in a similar struggle, and we need to grow stronger to be more present in the world in order that our voices will be heard. In the meantime we give testimony to Christ and the people of God, and our humble and loving service will show the mighty ones what Christ has called us for.

ECCC NEWS:

Cameroon

We have received H. E. Archbishop Jean of the Resurrection, his clergy, missions, and institutions from Cameroon into our Worldwide Church Communion. We have elevated him to Metropolitan Archbishop for Cameroon with his See in Yaounde, Cameroon. We welcome you all and wish you God's richest blessings in your service in the ECCC!

According to old Church tradition, and for pastoral necessity, Fr. Amou'ou Didier has been elected Bishop for his Religous Order of the Companion of St. Augustine which has many missions with an expanding pastoral care service in Cameroon. He has been with our Church for a long time and shown great commitment to our Church in her ministry. We wish him God's Grace and blessings and congratulate him and his people!

Italy

We have appointed, H. E. Metropolitan Archbishop Agostino de Caro from Italy to be our New Apostolic Nuncio for Italy, Malta, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

As all Nuncios, he will work in close consultation with the Ecumenical Primate.

We thank Archbishop Agostino for accepting this important office, and we wish our brother God's guidance and the may the Holy Spirit bestow many gifts on him for his service!

Kenya

Our Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kenya under the leadership of H. E. Archbishop Godfrey Siundu shows great success in the expansion of many more missions in Kenya and beyond. We have received in this many years since the founding of our Church in Kenya an other Roman Catholic group joining his Archdiocese and giving land to built a new parish church and a second orphanage. Yet, Archbishop Godfrey and others experience a lot of persecution from Roman Catholic clergy that tries to use threatening methods against our loving people. Such behavior is utterly unacceptable and is unchristian to say the least! This is not what Christ wants from the Roman Church to be hateful. Our Nuncio, ++Godfrey has contacted the local authorities to intervene. Please pray for the protection of our Church in Kenya.

Peru

Our Bishop, H. E. Ivan Marcapura Aragon, reminded me again for the location of the Synod in the fall of 202, that his country is a good place to chose. We still have the place in Rome as well available. I know that for some the travel will not be easy. This decision should definitely be shared with your local bishops, or Vicar Generals in order to have a better understanding what is best for all. It is not an easy undertaken to bring us together from all continents, but is is an important Synod that will focus on the present and future of our Worldwide Church. Please let us know soon which location you are in favor with.

Venezuela

We ask you all for your continuous prayers for our Bishop in Venezuela, H. E. Dr. Luis Andrade Rosales. He was viciously attacked for robbery and severely insured! May he recover soon, and may all his faithful and loved ones surround him in these difficult and painful days.

USA

We are very happy to welcome H. E. Archbishop Kimo Keawe who has started his ministry in assisting the Primate at our Cathedral of St. Anthony in Detroit. As Nuncio for the Western US territories, and as Chancellor of our online liturgical house of studies, he has the opportunity to work also closely with the local Ecumenical Seminary in Detroit. Our faithful gave him and his lovely wife, Jaana a very warm welcome! We wish him a long, healthy and successful service for the Church. Aloha!

May our service for Christ and the people of God continue with an unbreakable faith.

Wishing you all God's Peace in your hearts,

Sending you all my Love and Apostolic Benedictions.

Remaining your Servant of God

+Karl

Ecumenical Primate ECCC

De la Santa Sede de la Iglesia Católica Ecuménica de Cristo

Oficina del Primado Ecuménico

Paz, Saludos y Bendiciones hermanos y hermanas en Cristo de nuestra amada Iglesia Mundial!

Enviándoles las bendiciones más ricas de Dios. Estamos marchando hacia adelante como una Iglesia que está ganando más y más reconocimiento de muchos miembros del Clero de la Iglesia Romana, y de otras Iglesias también.

Sin embargo, todavía experimentamos el odio de ciertos clérigos de la Iglesia Romana que amenazan con la violencia a nuestro pueblo. Esto acaba de ocurrir en Kenia cuando nuestro Nuncio para África me lo informó. No nos desalentaremos por un comportamiento tan poco cristiano como el que buscamos para vivir de acuerdo a la enseñanza de Cristo, y también a la enseñanza de la iglesia primitiva. Es por supuesto desconcertante que los pastores que se llaman a sí mismos cristianos estén actuando en sentido contrario. Pero las palabras de Jesús estarán siempre en nuestros corazones: "No temáis... si me han perseguido a mí, os perseguirán a vosotros...". Llevemos nuestra cruz con la confianza de que la gracia de Dios siempre estará en nuestros corazones cuando amemos a Dios y nos sirvamos los unos a los otros con amor, respeto y dignidad.

I. Quería recordarles que relean la carta que les envié a finales del año pasado para que nuestro Sínodo celebre reuniones locales y explore con los fieles las cuestiones de cómo construir mejor las comunidades de fe locales, y para que vean los temas candentes en la relación con sus comunidades en un contexto social, religioso y cultural.

II. Pronto les presentaré un documento que hemos utilizado hace muchos años para las solicitudes de ingreso al proceso de educación y formación del clero. Esto puede ser revisado y compartido de acuerdo a su contexto local dentro de las jurisdicciones diocesanas. Pedí a los nuncios que trabajaran en un borrador de forma independiente. Estoy deseando tener noticias suyas.

Esperamos tener noticias suyas.

Por otra parte, me gustaría compartir con ustedes una carta del Movimiento Internacional de Reforma de la Iglesia Católica Romana del que somos miembros. Muestra que estamos caminando de manera similar con todas las luchas, y que somos los voluntarios, y que somos amados por tantos que nuestros corazones rebosan de alegría.

Aquí está la carta de la Directora de la Reforma de la Iglesia Católica Internacional, Sra. René Reid, "Mi vida me ha llevado de lo sublime de la vida religiosa al mundo de la política. Como monja, me enseñaron a poner la otra mejilla. En política, aprendí que, cuando un oponente dice algo destructivo sobre ti, debes responder. De lo contrario, todo lo que se diga quedará registrado como cierto. Me han prohibido asistir a las reuniones de la ICRI, primero en Bratislava y ahora de nuevo en Varsovia. Nunca me han dicho lo que se les dijo a los organizadores de la ICRN sobre mí para descalificarme de la reunión. Pero sabiendo que he pasado gran parte de mi vida trabajando por la reforma en la Iglesia, no puedo imaginarme por qué no se me permitiría venir... aunque sólo sea como observador. A la luz de mi ausencia de la reunión, me gustaría ofrecer un par de contribuciones para una posible discusión. El primero es la importancia de concentrar nuestros esfuerzos de reforma en las bases. Habiendo gastado demasiada energía en los últimos seis años tratando de interactuar con la jerarquía de la iglesia, nosotros en el CCRI hemos llegado a la conclusión de que cambiar la Iglesia de arriba hacia abajo no es probable que suceda en nuestra vida. Nosotros en el CCRI estamos poniendo la mayor parte de nuestra energía en hacer los cambios que podamos a través de la gente, promoviendo actividades iniciadas por laicos, tales como la construcción de pequeñas comunidades de fe y la celebración de Consejos Plenarios/Sínodos de los Pueblos/Reuniones convocadas por la gente. La segunda es la importancia de trabajar juntos. Como algunos de ustedes saben, cuando el CCRI comenzó por primera vez en 2013, nos encontramos con muchos obstáculos. Me dirigí a alguien por quien siento gran admiración, hna. Joan Chittister, y pidió ayuda. Ella estaba entusiasmada con lo que esperábamos hacer, se ofreció a ser nuestra Asesora Especial y escribió una carta que fue enviada a los líderes de organizaciones de reforma de la iglesia en todo el mundo. En la carta, ella dijo: Hasta que levantemos una voz común no sólo no seremos escuchados, ni siquiera seremos escuchados a la luz de asuntos más grandes y grupos más grandes, todos clamando por atención.... Creo que nuestros líderes deberían modelar juntos otra forma de ser iglesia... sin competencia, sin desconfianza, sin control.....Mi esperanza es que al hablar juntos -un fuerte coro de llamados a la reforma- podamos proporcionar una voz común, clara, fuerte y permanente para la visión, aún incompleta, del Vaticano II....Mi esperanza es que en nuestro deseo de ser escuchados sobre temas particulares -todos ellos importantes- no perdamos la fuerza de nuestra voz común al reducirla a un susurro. Aunque cada uno de nosotros tiene sus propias causas, sigo creyendo en la súplica de Juana para que los reformadores se reúnan... sin competencia, sin desconfianza, sin control y sin exclusión.

Recuerdo un momento en el que había esperanza para este tipo de colaboración entre la comunidad reformista.

Justo después de que la carta de la Hna. Joan saliera, el 4 de septiembre de 2013, más de sesenta de nosotras nos reunimos en una llamada de teleconferencia. El P. Tony Flannery nos guió en la oración. Nosotros planteamos la pregunta: ¿Hubo una cuestión en la que todos pudimos dejar de lado nuestras causas únicas y apoyar una única posición común? Y la respuesta llegó bastante rápido: "Todos los católicos tienen el derecho y la responsabilidad, innatamente derivados de nuestro bautismo, de tener una voz efectiva y deliberativa en la toma de decisiones de nuestra Iglesia. La plena participación de la comunidad de fe está de acuerdo con el Evangelio, la tradición de la Iglesia primitiva y la visión del Vaticano II". Diez personas de ocho países diferentes fueron recomendadas por el grupo para servir en el comité de redacción. El 20 de septiembre, la carta fue entregada en mano al Papa Francisco y 10 conferencias de prensa, todas con el mismo mensaje, se celebraron en ciudades de todo el mundo. Para leerlo en su totalidad, haga clic en: https://www.catholicchurchreform.org/216/index.php/get-involved/letters-to-the-pope/25-for-a-voice-in-the-decision-making-of-our-church Estoy seguro de que la ICRN siente que están colaborando. Pero mientras otras organizaciones reformistas y personas tengan prohibido asistir, nosotros mismos somos culpables de hipocresía cuando predicamos que queremos una iglesia acogedora e inclusiva pero no la practicamos entre nosotros. Ofrezco mis oraciones por el éxito de su reunión. Aunque no estaré presente, espero que consideren seriamente mis contribuciones a su reunión y concluyan su conferencia con una resolución acordada. En la paz y el amor de Cristo,

Rene Reid

Director del CCRI" 31 de agosto de 2019

Esta carta de René muestra también los obstáculos y los problemas que todos enfrentamos con la Jerarquía Romana.

Sabemos que el Papa Francisco no es así. Hay personas a su alrededor que controlan ciertos asuntos y se sabe que las cartas enviadas al Papa ni siquiera se le entregan a menos que se entreguen en mano.

Las ICEC están en una lucha similar, y necesitamos crecer más fuertes para estar más presentes en el mundo para que nuestras voces sean escuchadas. Mientras tanto, damos testimonio de Cristo y del pueblo de Dios, y nuestro humilde y amoroso servicio mostrará a los poderosos para qué nos ha llamado Cristo.

NOTICIAS DE ICEC:Camerún

Hemos recibido a S.E. el Arzobispo Jean de la Resurrección, su clero, misiones e instituciones de Camerún en nuestra Comunión de la Iglesia Mundial. Lo hemos elevado a Arzobispo Metropolitano para Camerún con su Sede en Yaoundé, Camerún. Les damos la bienvenida a todos y les deseamos las más ricas bendiciones de Dios en su servicio en las ICEC!

Según la antigua tradición de la Iglesia, y por necesidad pastoral, el P. Amou'ou Didier ha sido elegido Obispo de la Orden Religiosa del Compañero de San Agustín, que tiene muchas misiones con un servicio pastoral en expansión en Camerún. Él ha estado con nuestra Iglesia por mucho tiempo y ha mostrado un gran compromiso con nuestra Iglesia en su ministerio. Le deseamos la gracia y las bendiciones de Dios y lo felicitamos a él y a su pueblo.

Italia

Hemos nombrado a S.E. el arzobispo metropolitano Agostino de Caro de Italia como nuncio nuevo apostólico para Italia, Malta, España, Portugal, Andorra, Francia, Bélgica, Luxemburgo, Países Bajos, Reino Unido, Irlanda, Alemania, Austria y Suiza.

Como todos los Nuncios, trabajará en estrecha consulta con el Primado Ecuménico.

Agradecemos al Arzobispo Agostino por aceptar este importante cargo, y deseamos a nuestro hermano la guía de Dios y que el Espíritu Santo le conceda muchos dones por su servicio.

Kenia

Nuestra Arquidiócesis Metropolitana de Kenia bajo el liderazgo del Excmo. Sr. Arzobispo Godfrey Siundu muestra gran éxito en la expansión de muchas más misiones en Kenia y más allá. Hemos recibido en estos muchos años desde la fundación de nuestra Iglesia en Kenia a otro grupo católico romano que se unió a su Arquidiócesis y le dio un terreno para construir una nueva iglesia parroquial y un segundo orfanato. Sin embargo, el Arzobispo Godfrey y otros experimentan mucha persecución por parte del clero católico romano que trata de usar métodos amenazadores en contra de nuestro amado pueblo. Tal comportamiento es totalmente inaceptable y es poco cristiano, por decir lo menos. Esto no es lo que Cristo quiere de la Iglesia Romana que sea odioso. Nuestro Nuncio, ++Godfrey, se ha puesto en contacto con las autoridades locales para intervenir. Por favor oren por la protección de nuestra Iglesia en Kenia.

Perú

Nuestro Obispo Iván Marcapura Aragón, me recordó de nuevo la ubicación del Sínodo en el otoño del 202, que su país es un buen lugar para elegir. Todavía tenemos el lugar en Roma disponible. Sé que para algunos el viaje no será fácil. Esta decisión debe ser compartida con sus obispos locales, o vicarios generales, a fin de tener una mejor comprensión de lo que es mejor para todos. No es fácil reunirnos de todos los continentes, pero es un Sínodo importante que se centrará en el presente y el futuro de nuestra Iglesia Mundial. Por favor, háganoslo saber.

Venezuela

Les pedimos a todos ustedes que oren continuamente por nuestro Obispo en Venezuela, S.E. Dr. Luis Andrade Rosales. Fue atacado con maldad por robo y severamente asegurado. Que se recupere pronto y que todos sus fieles y seres queridos le rodeen en estos días difíciles y dolorosos.

EE.UU.

H. E. El Arzobispo Kimo Keawe ha comenzado su ministerio ayudando al Primado en nuestra Catedral de San Antonio en Detroit. Como Nuncio para los territorios occidentales de los Estados Unidos, y como Canciller de nuestra casa de estudios litúrgicos en línea, tiene la oportunidad de trabajar también estrechamente con el Seminario Ecuménico local de Detroit. Nuestros fieles le dieron a él y a su encantadora esposa, Jaana, una cálida bienvenida! Le deseamos un largo, saludable y exitoso servicio a la Iglesia. ¡Aloha!

Que nuestro servicio a Cristo y al pueblo de Dios continúe con una fe inquebrantable.

Deseándoles a todos la Paz de Dios en sus corazones,

Te envío todo mi Amor y mis bendiciones apostólicas.

Permaneciendo como su Siervo de Dios

+Karl

Primado Ecuménico ICEC

Dalla Santa Sede della Chiesa Cattolica Ecumenica di Cristo

Ufficio del Primate Ecumenico

5 settembre, A. D. D. 2019

Pace, saluti e benedizioni fratelli e sorelle in Cristo della nostra amata Chiesa Mondiale!

Inviandovi tutte le più ricche benedizioni di Dio.

Stiamo marciando in avanti come una Chiesa che sta guadagnando sempre più riconoscimento da parte di molti membri del Clero della Chiesa Romana, e anche di altre Chiese.

Eppure sperimentiamo ancora odio da parte di certi ecclesiastici della Chiesa romana che minacciano con violenza il nostro popolo. Questo è appena accaduto in Kenya, come mi ha riferito il nostro nunzio per l'Africa. Non saremo scoraggiati da un comportamento così poco cristiano, mentre cerchiamo di vivere secondo l'insegnamento di Cristo e anche quello della Chiesa primitiva. Naturalmente è sconcertante che i pastori che si definiscono cristiani agiscono al contrario. Eppure le parole di Gesù saranno sempre nei nostri cuori: "Non abbiate paura.....se mi hanno perseguitato, vi perseguiteranno....". Portiamo la nostra croce con fiducia che la grazia di Dio sarà sempre nei nostri cuori mentre amiamo Dio e ci serviamo l'un l'altro con amore, rispetto e dignità.

I. Volevo ricordarvi di rileggere la lettera che vi ho inviato alla fine dell'anno scorso per il nostro Sinodo per tenere riunioni locali ed esplorare con i fedeli le questioni su come costruire meglio le comunità di fede locali, e per vedere le questioni scottanti nel convivere con le vostre comunità in un contesto sociale, religioso e culturale.

II. Presto vi presenterò un documento che abbiamo utilizzato molti anni fa per le domande di adesione al processo di educazione e formazione del clero. Questo può essere rivisto e condiviso secondo il vostro contesto locale all'interno delle giurisdizioni diocesane. Ho chiesto ai Nunzi di lavorare su una bozza in modo indipendente. Attendo con ansia di sentirne parlare. In attesa di sentirvi.

Su un'altra buona nota, mi piace condividere con voi una lettera del Movimento Internazionale di Riforma della Chiesa Cattolica Romana di cui siamo membri. Dimostra che stiamo camminando in modo simile con tutte le lotte, e che siamo i volenterosi, e che siamo amati da così tanti che i nostri cuori traboccano di gioia.

Ecco la lettera della direttrice del Catholic Church Reform International, la signora Rene Reid,

"La mia vita mi ha portato dal sublime della vita religiosa al mondo della politica. Come suora, mi è stato insegnato a voltare l'altra guancia. In politica, ho imparato che, quando un avversario dice qualcosa di distruttivo su di te, devi rispondere. In caso contrario, tutto ciò che è stato detto è vero. Mi è stato vietato partecipare alle riunioni dell'ICRN, prima a Bratislava e ora di nuovo a Varsavia. Non mi è mai stato detto quello che gli organizzatori dell'ICRN mi hanno detto di me per squalificarmi dalla riunione. Ma sapendo che ho passato gran parte della mia vita a lavorare per la riforma nella Chiesa, non riesco a immaginare perché non mi sarebbe stato permesso di venire..... anche se solo come osservatore.

Alla luce della mia assenza alla riunione, vorrei offrire un paio di contributi per una possibile discussione. Il primo è l'importanza di concentrare i nostri sforzi di riforma sulla base. Avendo speso troppe energie negli ultimi sei anni cercando di interagire con la gerarchia ecclesiastica, noi del CCRI siamo giunti alla conclusione che cambiare la Chiesa dall'alto verso il basso non è probabile che avvenga nella nostra vita. Noi del CCRI stiamo impegnando la maggior parte delle nostre energie per realizzare i cambiamenti possibili attraverso le persone, promuovendo attività laiche, come la costruzione di piccole comunità di fede e l'organizzazione di Consigli Plenari, Sinodi dei Popoli e riunioni convocate dal popolo.

Il secondo è l'importanza di lavorare insieme. Come alcuni di voi sanno, quando il CCRI ha avuto inizio nel 2013, abbiamo incontrato molti ostacoli. Mi sono rivolto a qualcuno per il quale nutro grande ammirazione, suor Sr. Joan Chittister e ho chiesto aiuto. Era entusiasta di quello che speravamo di fare, si è offerta di diventare la nostra Consulente Speciale, e ha scritto una lettera che è andata ai leader delle organizzazioni di riforma della Chiesa in tutto il mondo. Nella lettera, ha detto:

Fino a quando non alziamo una voce comune non solo non saremo ascoltati, ma non saremo nemmeno ascoltati alla luce di questioni più grandi e gruppi più grandi, tutti che chiedono attenzione.....penso che i nostri leader dovrebbero modellare insieme un altro modo di essere chiesa....senza concorrenza, senza diffidenza, senza controllo........La mia speranza è che parlando insieme - un forte coro di appelli per la Riforma - possiamo dare una voce comune, chiara, forte e continua per la visione ancora incompleta del Vaticano II..... La mia speranza è che nel nostro desiderio di essere ascoltati su questioni particolari - tutte importanti - non perdiamo la forza della nostra voce comune riducendola a un sussurro.

Anche se ognuno di noi ha le proprie cause, continuo a credere nella richiesta di Joan di riunire i riformatori.... senza concorrenza, senza diffidenza, senza controllo e senza esclusione.

Ricordo un momento in cui c'era la speranza di questo tipo di collaborazione tra i riformisti. Subito dopo la lettera di Sr. Joan, il 4 settembre 2013, più di sessanta di noi si sono riuniti in teleconferenza. P. Tony Flannery ci ha guidato nella preghiera. Abbiamo sollevato la questione: C'era un problema che potevamo tutti mettere da parte le nostre cause uniche e ottenere una sola posizione comune? E la risposta è arrivata piuttosto rapidamente: "Tutti i cattolici hanno il diritto e la responsabilità, che deriva innatamente dal nostro battesimo, di avere una voce efficace e deliberativa nel processo decisionale della nostra Chiesa. La piena partecipazione della comunità di fede è conforme al Vangelo, alla tradizione della Chiesa primitiva e alla visione del Vaticano II".

Dieci persone provenienti da otto paesi diversi sono state raccomandate dal gruppo per far parte del comitato di redazione. Il 20 settembre, la lettera è stata consegnata a mano a Papa Francesco e 10 conferenze stampa, tutte con lo stesso messaggio, si sono tenute in città di tutto il mondo. Per leggerlo nella sua interezza, cliccare su: https://www.catholicchurchreform.org/216/index.php/get-involved/letters-to-the-pope/25-for-a-voice-in-the-decision-making-of-our-church. Sono sicuro che l'ICRN si sente di collaborare. Ma finché ad altre organizzazioni di riforma e ad altri individui è proibito di partecipare, noi stessi siamo colpevoli di ipocrisia quando predichiamo che vogliamo una chiesa accogliente e inclusiva, ma non lo pratichiamo tra di noi.

Offro le mie preghiere per un esito positivo del vostro incontro. Anche se non sarò presente, mi auguro che prendiate seriamente in considerazione i miei contributi al vostro incontro e concludano la vostra conferenza con una risoluzione concordata. Nella pace e nell'amore di Cristo,

Rene Reid

Direttore del CCRI" 31 agosto 2019

Questa lettera di Rene mostra anche gli ostacoli e i problemi che tutti noi dobbiamo affrontare con la Gerarchia romana. Siamo consapevoli che Papa Francesco non è così. Ci sono persone intorno a lui che controllano certe questioni ed è noto che le lettere inviate al Papa non gli vengono neppure consegnate a meno che non siano consegnate a mano. L'ECCC è in una lotta simile, e abbiamo bisogno di crescere per essere più presenti nel mondo affinché le nostre voci siano ascoltate. Nel frattempo rendiamo testimonianza a Cristo e al popolo di Dio, e il nostro servizio umile e amorevole mostrerà ai potenti ciò che Cristo ci ha chiamati a fare.

NOTIZIE DELL'CCEC:

Camerun

Abbiamo ricevuto S.E. Mons. Jean, Arcivescovo della Resurrezione, il suo clero, le sue missioni e istituzioni dal Camerun alla nostra Chiesa mondiale di comunione. Lo abbiamo elevato ad arcivescovo metropolita per il Camerun con la sua sede di Yaounde, in Camerun. Diamo il benvenuto a tutti voi e vi auguriamo le più ricche benedizioni di Dio nel vostro servizio nell'CCEC!

Secondo l'antica tradizione della Chiesa, e per necessità pastorale, P. Amou'ou Didier è stato eletto Vescovo per il suo Ordine Religioso del Compagno di Sant'Agostino, che ha molte missioni con un servizio pastorale in espansione in Camerun. Egli è con la nostra Chiesa da molto tempo e ha dimostrato grande impegno nei confronti della nostra Chiesa nel suo ministero. Gli auguriamo la grazia e le benedizioni di Dio e ci congratuliamo con lui e con il suo popolo!

Italia

Abbiamo nominato S.E. Mons. Agostino de Caro, Arcivescovo Metropolita dall'Italia, nostro Nunzio Neo-Apostolico per Italia, Malta, Spagna, Portogallo, Andorra, Francia, Belgio, Lussemburgo, Paesi Bassi, Regno Unito, Irlanda, Germania, Austria e Svizzera.

Come tutti i Nunzi, lavorerà in stretta collaborazione con il Primate Ecumenico.

Ringraziamo l'Arcivescovo Agostino per aver accettato questo importante incarico, e auguriamo al nostro fratello la guida di Dio e che lo Spirito Santo gli offra molti doni per il suo servizio!

Kenya

La nostra Arcidiocesi Metropolitana del Kenya sotto la guida di S.E. Mons. Godfrey Siundu mostra un grande successo nell'espansione di molte altre missioni in Kenya e oltre. Abbiamo ricevuto in questi molti anni dalla fondazione della nostra Chiesa in Kenya un altro gruppo cattolico romano che si è unito alla sua Arcidiocesi e ha donato terreni per costruire una nuova chiesa parrocchiale e un secondo orfanotrofio. Tuttavia, l'Arcivescovo Godfrey e altri sperimentano molte persecuzioni da parte del clero cattolico romano che cerca di usare metodi minacciosi contro il nostro amorevole popolo. Tale comportamento è assolutamente inaccettabile ed è a dir poco cristiano a dir poco! Questo non è ciò che Cristo vuole dalla Chiesa romana per essere odioso. Il nostro Nunzio, ++Godfrey ha contattato le autorità locali per intervenire. Pregate per la protezione della nostra Chiesa in Kenya.

Perù

Il nostro vescovo, S. E. Ivan Marcapura Aragona, mi ha ricordato ancora una volta per il luogo del Sinodo nell'autunno del 202, che il suo paese è un buon posto da scegliere. Abbiamo ancora il posto a Roma. So che per alcuni il viaggio non sarà facile. Questa decisione dovrebbe sicuramente essere condivisa con i vostri vescovi locali, o Vicari Generali, per avere una migliore comprensione di ciò che è meglio per tutti. Non è facile riunirci da tutti i continenti, ma è un Sinodo importante che si concentrerà sul presente e sul futuro della nostra Chiesa mondiale. Vi prego di farci sapere presto con quale sede siete a vostro favore.

Venezuela

Chiediamo a tutti voi per le vostre continue preghiere per il nostro Vescovo in Venezuela, S.E. Dr. Luis Andrade Rosales. È stato ferocemente aggredito per rapina e gravemente assicurato! Che si riprenda presto, e che tutti i suoi fedeli e cari lo circondino in questi giorni difficili e dolorosi.

USA

H. E. L'Arcivescovo Kimo Keawe ha iniziato il suo ministero nell'assistere il Primate nella nostra Cattedrale di Sant'Antonio a Detroit. Come Nunzio per i territori occidentali degli Stati Uniti, e come Cancelliere della nostra casa di studi liturgici online, ha l'opportunità di lavorare a stretto contatto anche con il locale Seminario Ecumenico di Detroit. I nostri fedeli hanno dato a lui e alla sua bella moglie, Jaana, un caloroso benvenuto! Gli auguriamo un servizio lungo, sano e di successo per la Chiesa. Aloha!

Possa il nostro servizio a Cristo e al popolo di Dio continuare con una fede indistruttibile.

Auguro a tutti voi la pace di Dio nei vostri cuori,

Inviandovi tutto il mio amore e le mie benedizioni apostoliche.

Rimanere vostro Servo di Dio

+Karl

Primate Ecumenico CCEC

Du Saint-Siège de l'Église catholique œcuménique du Christ

Bureau du Primat Oecuménique

Le 5 septembre de l'an 2019

Paix, salutations et bénédictions à vous, frères et sœurs en Christ de notre bien-aimée Église mondiale !

Je vous envoie les bénédictions les plus riches de Dieu. Nous marchons en avant en tant qu'Église de plus en plus reconnue par de nombreux membres du clergé de l'Église romaine, ainsi que par d'autres Églises.

Pourtant, nous éprouvons encore de la haine de la part de certains membres du clergé de l'Église romaine qui menacent de violence notre peuple. Cela vient de se produire au Kenya, comme notre Nonce pour l'Afrique me l'a rapporté. Nous ne nous laisserons pas décourager par un tel comportement non chrétien alors que nous cherchons à vivre selon l'enseignement de Christ, et aussi selon l'enseignement de l'Église primitive. Il est bien sûr curieux que des pasteurs qui se disent chrétiens agissent dans le sens contraire. Mais les paroles de Jésus resteront toujours dans nos cœurs : "Ne crains pas... s'ils m'ont persécuté, ils te persécuteront...". Portons notre croix avec confiance que la grâce de Dieu sera toujours dans nos cœurs, car nous aimons Dieu et nous nous servons les uns les autres avec amour, respect et dignité.

I. Je voulais vous rappeler de relire la lettre que je vous ai envoyée à la fin de l'année dernière pour que notre Synode tienne des réunions locales et explore avec les fidèles les moyens de mieux construire les communautés de foi locales, et de voir les questions brûlantes dans le contexte social, religieux et culturel de vos communautés.

II. Je vous présenterai bientôt un document que nous avons utilisé il y a de nombreuses années pour les demandes d'adhésion au processus d'éducation et de formation du clergé. Ceci peut être révisé et partagé en fonction de votre contexte local au sein des juridictions diocésaines. J'ai demandé aux Nuncios de travailler indépendamment sur un projet. J'ai hâte d'avoir de ses nouvelles.

Au plaisir de vous lire.

Sur une autre bonne note, j'aimerais partager avec vous une lettre du Mouvement international de réforme de l'Église catholique romaine, dont nous sommes membres. Cela montre que nous marchons de la même manière avec toutes les luttes, et que nous sommes les volontaires, et que nous sommes aimés par tant de personnes que nos cœurs débordent de joie.

Voici la lettre de Mme René Reid, directrice de Catholic Church Reform International, "Ma vie m'a fait passer du sublime de la vie religieuse au monde brutal de la politique. En tant que nonne, on m'a appris à tendre l'autre joue. En politique, j'ai appris que lorsqu'un adversaire dit quelque chose de destructeur à votre sujet, vous devez réagir. Sinon, tout ce qui a été dit est consigné dans les dossiers comme vrai. On m'a interdit d'assister aux réunions de l'ICRN, d'abord à Bratislava, puis à nouveau à Varsovie. On ne m'a jamais dit ce qu'on a dit aux organisateurs de l'ICRN à mon sujet pour me disqualifier de la réunion. Mais sachant que j'ai passé une grande partie de ma vie à travailler pour la réforme de l'Église, je ne peux pas imaginer pourquoi je ne serais pas autorisé à venir... même seulement en tant qu'observateur.

Étant donné mon absence à la réunion, j'aimerais offrir quelques contributions pour discussion éventuelle. Le premier est l'importance de concentrer nos efforts de réforme sur la base. Après avoir dépensé beaucoup trop d'énergie au cours des six dernières années à essayer d'interagir avec la hiérarchie de l'Église, nous, au CCRI, sommes arrivés à la conclusion qu'il est peu probable que l'Église change du haut vers le bas au cours de notre vie. Au CCRI, nous consacrons la plus grande partie de notre énergie à apporter les changements que nous pouvons par l'intermédiaire des gens en encourageant des activités initiées par des laïcs, comme la construction de petites communautés de foi et l'organisation de Conseils pléniers/Synodes des peuples/réunions convoquées par les gens.

La deuxième est l'importance de travailler ensemble. Comme certains d'entre vous le savent, lorsque le CCRI a vu le jour en 2013, nous avons rencontré de nombreux obstacles. Je me suis tournée vers quelqu'un pour qui j'ai une grande admiration, Sr. Joan Chittister, et a demandé de l'aide. Elle était enthousiasmée par ce que nous espérions faire, a offert de devenir notre conseillère spéciale et a écrit une lettre qui a été envoyée aux dirigeants des organisations de réforme de l'Église du monde entier. Dans la lettre, elle a dit :

Tant que nous n'élèverons pas une voix commune, non seulement nous ne serons pas entendus, mais nous ne serons même pas écoutés à la lumière d'enjeux plus vastes et de groupes plus importants, qui réclament tous de l'attention... Je pense vraiment que nos dirigeants devraient modeler ensemble une autre façon d'être Église... sans concurrence, sans défiance, sans contrôle.....J'espère qu'en parlant ensemble - un chœur fort d'appels à la réforme - nous pourrons donner une voix commune, claire, forte et continue pour la vision encore incomplète de Vatican II... Mon espoir est que dans notre désir d'être entendus sur des questions particulières - toutes importantes - nous ne perdrons pas la force de notre voix commune en la réduisant au silence.

Même si chacun d'entre nous a ses propres causes, je continue de croire au plaidoyer de Joan pour que les réformateurs s'unissent... sans concurrence, sans méfiance, sans contrôle et sans exclusion.

Je me souviens d'un moment où il y avait de l'espoir pour ce genre de collaboration au sein de la communauté réformiste.

Juste après l'envoi de la lettre de Sr Joan, le 4 septembre 2013, plus de soixante d'entre nous se sont réunis pour une téléconférence. Le P. Tony Flannery nous a conduits dans la prière. Nous avons soulevé la question : Y a-t-il une question sur laquelle nous pourrions tous mettre de côté nos causes uniques et soutenir une position commune unique ? Et la réponse est venue assez rapidement : "Tous les catholiques ont le droit et la responsabilité, qui découlent naturellement de notre baptême, d'avoir une voix efficace et délibérative dans la prise de décision de notre Église. La pleine participation de la communauté de foi est conforme à l'Évangile, à la tradition de l'Église primitive et à la vision de Vatican II."

Dix personnes de huit pays différents ont été recommandées par le groupe pour faire partie du comité de rédaction. Le 20 septembre, la lettre a été remise en main propre au pape François et 10 conférences de presse, toutes portant le même message, ont eu lieu dans des villes du monde entier. Pour le lire dans son intégralité, cliquez sur : https://www.catholicchurchreform.org/216/index.php/get-involved/letters-to-the-pope/25-for-a-voice-in-the-decision-making-of-our-church. Je suis sûr que l'ICRN pense qu'ils collaborent. Mais tant que d'autres organisations et individus réformateurs se voient interdire d'y assister, nous sommes nous-mêmes coupables d'hypocrisie lorsque nous prêchons que nous voulons une église accueillante et inclusive, mais que nous ne le faisons pas entre nous.

J'offre mes prières pour le succès de votre rencontre. Bien que je ne serai pas présent, j'espère que vous examinerez sérieusement mes contributions à votre réunion et que vous conclurez votre conférence par une résolution convenue. Dans la paix et l'amour du Christ,

René Reid

Directeur du CCRI " 31 août 2019

Cette lettre de René montre aussi les obstacles et les problèmes que nous rencontrons tous avec la Hiérarchie Romaine. Nous sommes conscients que le Pape François n'est pas comme ça. Il y a des gens autour de lui qui contrôlent certaines questions et on sait que les lettres envoyées au Pape ne lui sont même pas données à moins qu'elles ne soient remises en main propre. Les ECOEC sont dans une lutte similaire, et nous devons devenir plus forts pour être plus présents dans le monde afin que nos voix soient entendues. Entre-temps, nous rendons témoignage au Christ et au peuple de Dieu, et notre service humble et aimant montrera aux puissants ce que le Christ nous a appelés à faire.

NOUVELLES DES ECOEC :

Cameroun

Nous avons reçu S.E. l'Archevêque Jean de la Résurrection, son clergé, ses missions et ses institutions du Cameroun dans notre Communion Mondiale de l'Eglise. Nous l'avons élevé au rang d'archevêque métropolitain pour le Cameroun avec son siège à Yaoundé, Cameroun. Nous vous souhaitons la bienvenue à tous et vous souhaitons les plus riches bénédictions de Dieu dans votre service au sein des ECOEC !

Selon la vieille tradition de l'Église et par nécessité pastorale, le P. Amou'ou Didier a été élu évêque pour son Ordre religieux du Compagnon de Saint Augustin qui a de nombreuses missions avec un service pastoral en expansion au Cameroun. Il est avec notre Église depuis longtemps et a fait preuve d'un grand engagement envers notre Église dans son ministère. Nous lui souhaitons la grâce et les bénédictions de Dieu et le félicitons, lui et son peuple !

Italie

Nous avons nommé Mgr Agostino de Caro, archevêque métropolitain d'Italie, nonce apostolique pour l'Italie, Malte, l'Espagne, le Portugal, Andorre, la France, la Belgique, le Luxembourg, les Pays-Bas, le Royaume-Uni, l'Irlande, l'Allemagne, l'Autriche, la Suisse.

Comme tous les Nuncios, il travaillera en étroite collaboration avec le Primat œcuménique.

Nous remercions Mgr Agostino d'avoir accepté cette importante charge, et nous souhaitons à notre frère la direction de Dieu et que l'Esprit Saint lui accorde de nombreux dons pour son service !

Kenya

Notre archidiocèse métropolitain du Kenya, sous la direction de S.E. Mgr Godfrey Siundu, archevêque, connaît un grand succès dans l'expansion de nombreuses autres missions au Kenya et au-delà. Depuis la fondation de notre Église au Kenya, nous avons reçu un autre groupe catholique romain qui s'est joint à son archidiocèse et a donné des terres pour construire une nouvelle église paroissiale et un deuxième orphelinat. Pourtant, l'archevêque Godfrey et d'autres personnes subissent beaucoup de persécutions de la part du clergé catholique romain qui essaie d'utiliser des méthodes menaçantes contre notre peuple aimant. Un tel comportement est tout à fait inacceptable et non chrétien, c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire ! Ce n'est pas ce que le Christ veut que l'Église romaine soit haineuse. Notre Nonce, ++Godfrey a contacté les autorités locales pour intervenir. Veuillez prier pour la protection de notre Église au Kenya.

Pérou

Notre évêque Ivan Marcapura Aragon, m'a rappelé encore une fois pour le lieu du Synode à l'automne 202, que son pays est un bon endroit à choisir. Nous avons toujours la place à Rome aussi bien disponible. Je sais que pour certains, le voyage ne sera pas facile. Cette décision devrait certainement être partagée avec vos évêques locaux, ou vos vicariats généraux, afin de mieux comprendre ce qui est le mieux pour tous. Ce n'est pas une entreprise facile de nous rassembler de tous les continents, mais c'est un Synode important qui se concentrera sur le présent et l'avenir de notre Église Mondiale. Veuillez nous faire savoir rapidement avec quel endroit vous êtes en faveur.

Venezuela

Nous vous demandons à tous de prier continuellement pour notre évêque au Venezuela, S.E. le Dr Luis Andrade Rosales. Il a été violemment attaqué pour vol et sévèrement assuré ! Qu'il guérisse bientôt, et que tous ses fidèles et ses proches l'entourent en ces jours difficiles et douloureux.

ÉTATS-UNIS

H. E. Mgr Kimo Keawe a commencé son ministère en assistant le Primat à notre cathédrale Saint-Antoine de Detroit. En tant que Nonce pour les territoires de l'Ouest des Etats-Unis et Chancelier de notre maison d'études liturgiques en ligne, il a l'occasion de travailler en étroite collaboration avec le séminaire œcuménique local de Detroit. Nos fidèles lui ont réservé, ainsi qu'à sa charmante épouse, Jaana, un accueil très chaleureux ! Nous lui souhaitons un long, sain et fructueux service pour l'Église. Aloha !

Que notre service pour le Christ et le peuple de Dieu continue avec une foi inébranlable.

Je vous souhaite la paix de Dieu dans vos cœurs,

Je vous envoie tout mon Amour et mes Bénédictions Apostoliques.

Demeurer votre serviteur de Dieu

+Karl

Primat Oecuménique ECOEC

Pentecost 2019
(Please share with all, Thank you! Compartir con todos, Gracias!)
Peace be with you, Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ!
On this Solemnity of Pentecost let us to reflect a little bit on the Holy Spirit.
As we know, The Holy Spirit is impossible to visualize, because the Spirit cannot be seen as such. Yet the Holy Spirit is profoundly real.
    Many things in our universe are real even though invisible to the naked eye. What we see with our eyes is only a fraction of our physical world. The Holy Spirit belongs to the spiritual world, and it naturally cannot see the Spirit with our eyes. Yet, there are helpful ways of imagining the Holy Spirit. St Paul uses an image drawn from nature when he says that the Spirit bears fruit. He means the visible effect of the Spirit on one’s life. We may not be able to see the Holy Spirit, but we can see the effect of the Spirit in our life, just as we cannot see the wind but can see the effect of the wind on people and objects of various kinds. Paul is saying that wherever we find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control, the Spirit is there at work. The Spirit becomes visible in and through these qualities and virtues.
    The person who most of all had those qualities was Jesus because he was full of the Holy Spirit, full of the life of God. The Holy Spirit is essentially the very life of God, and that life is a life of love. It is that divine life, that divine love, which was poured out at Pentecost, initially on the first women and men with Mary in their midst, but through them on all who were open to receive this powerful and wonderful gift. Paul expresses it simply in his letter to the Romans, ‘God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us’. It is that Spirit of God’s love we have received who bears the rich fruit in our lives that Paul speaks about in today’s 2nd Reading. The Spirit is constantly at work in our lives, making us more like Jesus. Again, the ordinary, day to day expressions of goodness and kindness, of faithfulness and self-control, of patience and gentleness, are all manifestations of the Spirit that has been given to us by God. We can recognize the Spirit’s presence in the common happenings of everyday life. The spiritual is not something other-worldly; it is humanity at its best.
    Humanity is at its best in today’s first reading (Acts of the Apostles). Pentecost brought about a wonderful bonding of people from all over the Roman Empire. They were united in admiring and praising the marvels of God. In spite of differences of language and culture there was a real communion among them. Wherever communion of heart and mind exist among people of different backgrounds, the Holy Spirit is at work. Unity in diversity is the mark of the Spirit!
     Jesus points out another manifestation of the Spirit: the pursuit of truth. Only the Spirit can lead us to the complete truth. If someone is genuinely seeking for truth, and willing to engage in good works with others, there the Spirit is at work. Fullness of truth and love is always beyond us; but the Spirit is given to lead us towards the complete truth and love, in all its height and depth.
    All our communities around the world live with the Holy Spirit in our midst. When I visited our Church community in Licata, Italy this past May, I saw the Spirit of love and care, I saw the wonderful leadership of our Metropolitan Archbishop for Italy, H. E. ++Agostino, the commitment of his clergy and the faithful to our cause of being an ecumenical catholic church that is here for all who seek a new dawn in the Church, an awakening through the Holy Spirit. (Some of the pictures I posted on Facebook: Karl Rodig, and our websites). It is especially a sign of the Holy Spirit to see our first Women Priest, Rev. Mother Raffaela in our Church. I asked myself often, why has the church ignored for so long the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of women in the Church.
Thank you all for being loving and caring church communities where all are welcome finding a spiritual home of Love and acceptance, where diversity is a gift.
Let us all pray that the God send us the the gifts of the Holy Spirit that will lead us to a renewed and transformation in the Church for the salvation of all of God's beloved people.
May we all seek this truth that the Holy Spirit shows us in order to come closer to God.
With my deep appreciation for all your service.
Remaining faithful yours,
+Karl

Church News:
USA:
It is with great joy to announce the Intercommunion between the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ and the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch under the leadership of H. E. Presiding Bishop Mark Elliot Newman.
Special thanks to our Apostolic Nuncio, H. E. Archbishop Kimo Keawe who was instrumental in bringing the Intercommunion to fruition. This is a sign that Unity in diversity is truly a gift of the Holy Spirit.
Italy:
We welcome our newly ordained priests in Italy, Fr. Fortunato (Calabria) and Fr. Francesco (Turin) to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Italy. Congratulations and blessings for your new ministry. We also congratulate, Rev. Gaetano on June 23rd, 2019 in Licata, Italy.
To all in our worldwide church:
Please work all on the ideas expressed in my apostolic Letter I sent you for Christmas for our Worldwide Synod. Location and Time are not set yet. Thank you.

¡La paz esté con ustedes, queridas hermanas y hermanos en Cristo!
En esta solemnidad de Pentecostés, reflexionemos un poco sobre el Espíritu Santo. Como sabemos, el Espíritu Santo es imposible de visualizar, porque el Espíritu no puede ser visto como tal. Sin embargo, el Espíritu Santo es profundamente real.
Muchas cosas en nuestro universo son reales aunque sean invisibles a simple vista. Lo que vemos con nuestros ojos es solo una fracción de nuestro mundo físico. El Espíritu Santo pertenece al mundo espiritual, y naturalmente no puede ver el Espíritu con nuestros ojos. Sin embargo, hay maneras útiles de imaginar al Espíritu Santo. San Pablo usa una imagen extraída de la naturaleza cuando dice que el Espíritu fructifica. Se refiere al efecto visible del Espíritu en la vida de uno. Es posible que no podamos ver el Espíritu Santo, pero podemos ver el efecto del Espíritu en nuestra vida, al igual que no podemos ver el viento, pero podemos ver el efecto del viento en personas y objetos de diversos tipos. Pablo está diciendo que dondequiera que encontremos amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, amabilidad, bondad, confianza, amabilidad y dominio propio, el Espíritu está allí trabajando. El Espíritu se hace visible en ya través de estas cualidades y virtudes.
La persona que más que todo tenía esas cualidades era Jesús porque estaba lleno del Espíritu Santo, lleno de la vida de Dios. El Espíritu Santo es esencialmente la vida misma de Dios, y esa vida es una vida de amor. Es esa vida divina, ese amor divino, que se derramó en Pentecostés, inicialmente en las primeras mujeres y hombres con María en medio de ellos, pero a través de ellos en todos los que estaban abiertos para recibir este regalo poderoso y maravilloso. Pablo lo expresa simplemente en su carta a los romanos: "El amor de Dios se ha derramado en nuestros corazones a través del Espíritu Santo que se nos ha dado". Es el amor del Espíritu de Dios que hemos recibido quien da el rico fruto en nuestras vidas de lo que Pablo habla en la segunda lectura de hoy. El Espíritu está constantemente trabajando en nuestras vidas, haciéndonos más como Jesús. Nuevamente, las expresiones cotidianas de bondad y bondad, de fidelidad y autocontrol, de paciencia y gentileza, son todas manifestaciones del Espíritu que Dios nos ha dado. Podemos reconocer la presencia del Espíritu en los acontecimientos comunes de la vida cotidiana. Lo espiritual no es algo de otro mundo; Es la humanidad en su mejor momento.
La humanidad está en su mejor momento en la primera lectura de hoy (Hechos de los Apóstoles). Pentecostés produjo una maravillosa unión de personas de todo el Imperio Romano. Se unieron admirando y alabando las maravillas de Dios. A pesar de las diferencias de idioma y cultura, hubo una verdadera comunión entre ellos. Dondequiera que exista comunión de corazón y mente entre personas de diferentes orígenes, el Espíritu Santo está obrando. ¡La unidad en la diversidad es la marca del Espíritu!
Jesús señala otra manifestación del Espíritu: la búsqueda de la verdad. Solo el Espíritu puede llevarnos a la verdad completa. Si alguien está buscando genuinamente la verdad, y está dispuesto a participar en buenas obras con otros, allí el Espíritu está obrando. La plenitud de la verdad y el amor siempre está más allá de nosotros; pero el Espíritu es dado para guiarnos hacia la completa verdad y el amor, en toda su altura y profundidad.
Todas nuestras comunidades alrededor del mundo viven con el Espíritu Santo entre nosotros. Cuando visité nuestra comunidad de la Iglesia en Licata, Italia, en mayo pasado, vi el Espíritu de amor y cuidado, vi el maravilloso liderazgo de nuestro Nuncio y Arzobispo Metropolitano para Italia, ++ Agostino, el compromiso de su clero y los fieles a nuestra causa de ser una iglesia católica ecuménica que está aquí para todos los que buscan un nuevo amanecer en la Iglesia, un despertar a través del Espíritu Santo. (Algunas de las fotos que publiqué en Facebook: Karl Rodig y nuestros sitios web). Es especialmente una señal del Espíritu Santo ver a nuestra primera mujer sacerdote, la Reverenda Madre Raffaela en nuestra Iglesia. Me preguntaba a menudo, ¿por qué la iglesia ha ignorado durante tanto tiempo los dones del Espíritu Santo en el ministerio de las mujeres en la Iglesia?
Gracias a todos por amar y cuidar las comunidades de la iglesia donde todos son bienvenidos a encontrar un hogar espiritual de Amor y aceptación, donde la diversidad es un regalo.
Oremos todos para que Dios nos envíe los dones del Espíritu Santo que nos conducirán a una renovación y transformación en la Iglesia para la salvación de todos los seres queridos de Dios.
Que todos podamos buscar esta verdad que el Espíritu Santo nos muestra para acercarnos más a Dios.
Con mi profundo agradecimiento por todos sus servicios.
Permaneciendo fiel tuyo,
+ Karl

Noticias de la Iglesia:
ESTADOS UNIDOS:
Es con gran alegría anunciar la Intercomunión entre la Iglesia de Cristo Ecuménica Católica y la Iglesia Católica Apostólica de Antioquía bajo el liderazgo de H. E. Obispo Presidente Mark Elliot Newman.
Un agradecimiento especial a nuestro Nuncio Apostólico, H. E. Arzobispo Kimo Keawe, que fue instrumental para llevar a cabo la Intercomunión. Esta es una señal de que la Unidad en la diversidad es verdaderamente un don del Espíritu Santo.
Italia:
Damos la bienvenida a nuestros sacerdotes recién ordenados en Italia, el Padre. Fortunato (Calabria) y el P. Alesandro (Turín) a la archidiócesis metropolitana de Italia. Felicitaciones y bendiciones por tu nuevo ministerio. También felicitamos al Rev. Gaetano el 23 de junio de 2019 en Licata, Italia.
A Todos en nuestra Iglesia mundial:
Por favor, trabaje en las ideas expresadas en mi Carta apostólica que le envié para Navidad para nuestro Sínodo Mundial. La ubicación y el tiempo aún no están establecidos. Gracias.

La pace sia con voi, care sorelle e fratelli in Cristo!
   In questa solennità di Pentecoste lasciateci riflettere un po 'sullo Spirito Santo. Come sappiamo, lo Spirito Santo è impossibile da visualizzare, perché lo Spirito non può essere visto come tale. Eppure lo Spirito Santo è profondamente reale.
Molte cose nel nostro universo sono reali anche se invisibili ad occhio nudo. Ciò che vediamo con i nostri occhi è solo una frazione del nostro mondo fisico. Lo Spirito Santo appartiene al mondo spirituale e naturalmente non può vedere lo Spirito con i nostri occhi. Tuttavia, ci sono modi utili per immaginare lo Spirito Santo. San Paolo usa un'immagine tratta dalla natura quando dice che lo Spirito porta frutto. Intende l'effetto visibile dello Spirito sulla propria vita. Potremmo non essere in grado di vedere lo Spirito Santo, ma possiamo vedere l'effetto dello Spirito nella nostra vita, così come non possiamo vedere il vento ma possiamo vedere l'effetto del vento su persone e oggetti di vario genere. Paolo sta dicendo che ovunque troviamo amore, gioia, pace, pazienza, gentilezza, bontà, fiducia, gentilezza e autocontrollo, lo Spirito è lì all'opera. Lo Spirito diventa visibile in e attraverso queste qualità e virtù.
La persona che più di tutte aveva queste qualità era Gesù perché era pieno dello Spirito Santo, pieno della vita di Dio. Lo Spirito Santo è essenzialmente la vita stessa di Dio, e quella vita è una vita d'amore. È quella vita divina, quell'amore divino, che fu riversato a Pentecoste, inizialmente sulle prime donne e uomini con Maria in mezzo a loro, ma attraverso loro su tutti coloro che erano aperti a ricevere questo dono potente e meraviglioso. Paolo lo esprime semplicemente nella sua lettera ai Romani: "L'amore di Dio è stato versato nei nostri cuori per mezzo dello Spirito Santo che ci è stato dato". È questo lo Spirito di amore di Dio che abbiamo ricevuto e che porta il ricco frutto nella nostra vita di cui parla Paolo nella II lettura di oggi. Lo Spirito è costantemente all'opera nelle nostre vite, rendendoci più simili a Gesù. Di nuovo, le comuni espressioni quotidiane di bontà e gentilezza, di fedeltà e autocontrollo, di pazienza e dolcezza, sono tutte manifestazioni dello Spirito che ci è stato dato da Dio. Possiamo riconoscere la presenza dello Spirito negli avvenimenti comuni della vita quotidiana. Lo spirituale non è qualcosa di diverso dal mondo; è l'umanità al suo meglio.
L'umanità è al suo meglio nella prima lettura di oggi (Atti degli Apostoli). La Pentecoste ha prodotto un meraviglioso legame di persone provenienti da tutto l'Impero Romano. Erano uniti nell'ammirare e nel lodare le meraviglie di Dio. Nonostante le differenze di lingua e cultura, c'era una vera comunione tra loro. Ovunque vi sia comunione di cuore e mente tra persone di diversa estrazione, lo Spirito Santo è all'opera. L'unità nella diversità è il marchio dello Spirito!
Gesù indica un'altra manifestazione dello Spirito: la ricerca della verità. Solo lo Spirito può condurci alla verità completa. Se qualcuno cerca sinceramente la verità e è disposto a impegnarsi in buone opere con gli altri, lì lo Spirito è all'opera. Pienezza di verità e amore è sempre al di là di noi; ma lo Spirito è dato per condurci verso la completa verità e amore, in tutta la sua altezza e profondità.
Tutte le nostre comunità in tutto il mondo vivono con lo Spirito Santo in mezzo a noi. Quando ho visitato la nostra comunità di Chiesa a Licata, lo scorso maggio, ho visto lo Spirito di amore e cura, ho visto la meravigliosa guida del nostro Nunzio e Arcivescovo Metropolitano per l'Italia, Agostino, l'impegno del suo clero e dei fedeli per la nostra causa di essere una chiesa cattolica ecumenica che è qui per tutti coloro che cercano una nuova alba nella Chiesa, un risveglio attraverso lo Spirito Santo. (Alcune delle foto che ho postato su Facebook: Karl Rodig e i nostri siti Web). È soprattutto un segno dello Spirito Santo vedere la nostra prima donna sacerdote, Rev. Madre Raffaela nella nostra Chiesa. Mi sono chiesto spesso, perché la chiesa ha ignorato per così tanto tempo i doni dello Spirito Santo nel ministero delle donne nella Chiesa.
Grazie a tutti per essere state amorevoli e premurose comunità di chiese in cui tutti sono benvenuti a trovare una casa spirituale di Amore e accettazione, dove la diversità è un dono.
Preghiamo tutti che il Dio ci mandi i doni dello Spirito Santo che ci condurranno a una rinnovata e trasformazione nella Chiesa per la salvezza di tutto l'amato popolo di Dio.  Possiamo tutti noi cercare questa verità che lo Spirito Santo ci mostra per avvicinarci a Dio.
Con il mio profondo apprezzamento per tutto il tuo servizio.
Rimanendo fedele tuo,
+Karl

Notizie della Chiesa:
STATI UNITI D'AMERICA:
È con grande gioia annunciare l'Intercomunione tra la Chiesa ecumenica cattolica di Cristo e la Chiesa cattolica apostolica di Antiochia sotto la guida di H. E. Presiedere il vescovo Mark Elliot Newman.
Un ringraziamento speciale al nostro Nunzio Apostolico, H. E. Arcivescovo Kimo Keawe, che è stato determinante nel portare a compimento l'Intercomunione. Questo è un segno che l'unità nella diversità è veramente un dono dello Spirito Santo.
Italia:
Accogliamo i nostri sacerdoti neo-ordinati in Italia, il Padre. Fortunato (Calabria) e P. Alesandro (Torino) all'arcidiocesi metropolitana d'Italia. Congratulazioni e benedizioni per il tuo nuovo ministero. Ci congratuliamo anche con il Rev. Gaetano il 23 giugno 2019 a Licata, in Italia.

A tutti nella nostra Chiesa Mundiale
Per favore, lavora sulle idee espresse nella mia Lettera Apostolica che ti ho inviato a Natale per il nostro Sinodo Mondiale. La posizione e l'ora non sono ancora state stabilite. Grazie

Apostolic Letter of the Ecumenical Primate, H. E. Dr. Karl Rodig, at his Visit to our Metropolitan Archdiocese to Italy
  Dear excellency Archbishop Agostino Caro, dear brothers and sister in the ministry of the Lord, dear brothers and sisters in christ!
It is with great joy to visit you all in this beautiful Land of yours!
I wanted to thank you for the invitation to meet you and to share with you this moment of our journey with Christ through this Easter Season! From all of our Church I bring you greetings and thanksgivings for your commitment to the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ.
My pastoral visit here is filled with love for you all because you all follow Jesus in a new an unique Christian way: It is your and our understanding of the Gospel that we are guided by Christ’s call to inclusiveness ! You have discovered and answered this calling: all who sincerely love God and neighbor find a spiritual family here in your local churches and throughout our worldwide Church community.
We journey together toward the Kingdom of God. We come from different upbringings, different views of life, experiences, and yet we gather before God in worship and praise with the same voice in brotherly and sisterly love.
Carissima Eccellenza Arcivescovo Agostino De Caro, cari fratelli e sorelle nel ministero del Signore, cari fratelli e sorelle in Cristo!
È con grande gioia che vi visitiamo tutti in questa bellissima Terra!
Volevo ringraziarvi per l'invito ad incontrarvi e per condividere con voi questo momento del nostro viaggio con Cristo in questa stagione pasquale! Da parte di tutta la nostra Chiesa vi porto saluti e ringraziamenti per il vostro impegno verso la Chiesa Cattolica Ecumenica di Cristo.
La mia visita pastorale qui è piena di amore per tutti voi perché tutti seguite Gesù in un modo nuovo e cristiano unico: è la vostra e nostra comprensione del Vangelo stesso che ci guida alla chiamata di Cristo al'inclusività! Avete scoperto e risposto a questa chiamata: tutti coloro che amano sinceramente Dio e il prossimo trovano una famiglia spirituale qui nelle vostre chiese locali e in tutta la comunità della Chiesa in tutto il mondo.
  Camminiamo insieme verso il Regno di Dio. Veniamo da diverse generazioni, diversi punti di vista sulla vita, esperienze, eppure ci riuniamo davanti a Dio in adorazione e Lo lodiamo con la stessa voce nell'amore e fraterno.

As many of you have read and studied our church Manifesto, we are called to promote Christ’s Love to welcome all who suffer, struggle with life and identity, those who seek a more understanding church family where there is no hate, and no persecution.
We are aware that we also welcome Christians from other denominations as the word “Catholic” is not owned by a particular church, but it is universal in essence where all who sincerely seek Christ find a belonging. We therefore see in Christians from other denominations not enemies, but brothers and sisters.
We experience that the world in our days is getting smaller, and people everywhere meet others in different faiths. We need to keep the dialog open and find common understandings how to relate to each other in Peace and Love. Our brethren from the great monotheistic religions of Judaism and Islam shall see in us a welcoming and understanding community where we can have prayer and dialog that seeks unity in diversity.

Come molti di voi hanno letto e studiato nel nostro Manifesto di chiesa, siamo chiamati a promuovere l'Amore di Cristo per accogliere tutti coloro che soffrono, lottano con la vita e l'identità, coloro che cercano una famiglia ecclesiastica più comprensiva dove non c'è odio e nessuna persecuzione.
Siamo consapevoli che accogliamo anche cristiani di altre confessioni poiché la parola "cattolico" non è di proprietà di una chiesa particolare, ma è universalmente essenziale dove tutti coloro che cercano sinceramente Cristo trovano un'appartenenza. Vediamo quindi nei cristiani di altre denominazioni non nemici, ma fratelli e sorelle.
Sperimentiamo che il mondo ai nostri giorni si sta riducendo e la gente incontra dappertutto gli altri in diverse fedi. Dobbiamo mantenere aperto il dialogo e trovare comprensioni comuni su come relazionarci l'un l'altro in Pace e Amore. I nostri fratelli delle grandi religioni monoteistiche del giudaismo e dell'Islam vedranno in noi una comunità accogliente e comprensiva dove tutti possiamo pregare e un dialogo che cerca l'unità nella diversità.

We pray and live toward positive changes within the Catholic and Protestant Churches, we are aware of the difficulty that lies ahead of us.
A status quo mentality of many in the hierarchies has formed a Christian Mentality that in one way tries to proclaim the Gospel yet in many ways thinks and lives in an exclusive way that leaves no room for people who think differently. Many hear Christ’s commandment to love God and your neighbor, and yet live more by gossip, and looking down on others because of who they are...
To mind also comes the notion, “What do we gain from all the riches of the world when we lose our soul in it”...The church is us as a community, a family that is diverse in its nature yet sees together the need to serve those who are most vulnerable in society, the poor, the outcasts, the downtrodden...Pope Francis has seen this fundamental call since the beginning of his papacy, the call to live and act like Christ is present within us and among us. As yet he encountered a lot of resistance from those who live by the old status quo, who do not like to change as a positive way of living toward a better world.

Preghiamo e viviamo i cambiamenti positivi all'interno delle Chiese cattolica e protestante, siamo consapevoli della difficoltà che ci attende.
Una mentalità di status quo di molti nelle gerarchie ha formato una mentalità cristiana che, in un certo modo, cerca di proclamare il Vangelo ma in molti modi pensa e vive in un modo esclusivo che non lascia spazio a persone che la pensano diversamente. Molti ascoltano il comandamento di Cristo di amare Dio e il prossimo, e tuttavia vivono di più spettegolando e guardando gli altri a causa di chi sono ...
Alla mente viene anche la nozione, "Cosa guadagniamo da tutte le ricchezze del mondo quando perdiamo la nostra anima in esso" ... La chiesa siamo noi come comunità, una famiglia che è diversa nella sua natura e vede insieme il bisogno di servire coloro che sono più vulnerabili nella società, i poveri, gli emarginati, gli oppressi ... Papa Francesco ha visto questa chiamata fondamentale fin dall'inizio del suo pontificato, la chiamata a vivere e agire come Cristo presente in noi e tra noi. Come egli stesso ha incontrato molta resistenza da parte di coloro che vivevano secondo il vecchio status quo, a cui non piace cambiare in un modo positivo di vivere verso un mondo migliore.

Here we are all of us living in a worldwide church communion, a family of many that listens to the word of Christ, and tries everyday to live it anew. We see new ideas evolving because of the Gospel: old and new ideas can merge, and all the sudden, we as Christians live in a Spirit of seeing the world as our earthly home as a sacred place not to be destroyed by human greed, by power plays, and hate of nation against nation. We see the need to preserve God’s creation for future generations to come. We are stewards of this world, and not possessing and discarding it at our disposal. Climate change has become a reality that we need to address with all the Goodness that is left in Humanity. The poison and trashing of the oceans, the rivers, and the wastefulness with the earthly goods that is not shared with all, brings the world to the edge of new wars, because of famine and droughts in many countries.

Qui siamo tutti noi che viviamo in una comunione ecclesiale mondiale, la famiglia di tutti quelli che ascoltano la parola di Cristo e cercano ogni giorno di viverla di nuovo. Vediamo nuove idee che si evolvono a causa del Vangelo: vecchie e nuove idee possono fondersi, e inaspettatamente, noi come cristiani viviamo in un solo Spirito per vedere il mondo come la nostra dimora terrena come un luogo sacro da non distruggere per l’avidità umana, per giochi di potere e odio di nazione contro nazione. Vediamo la necessità di preservare la creazione di Dio per le generazioni future. Siamo amministratori di questo mondo e non lo possediamo e lo scartiamo a nostro piacimento. Il cambiamento climatico è diventato una realtà che dobbiamo affrontare con tutta la bontà che rimane nell'umanità. Il veleno e la distruzione degli oceani, i fiumi e lo spreco dei beni terreni che non sono condivisi con tutti, portano il mondo ai margini di nuove guerre, a causa della carestia e della siccità in molti paesi.

Closely connected with it is the new weapon races of the west against the east, and the trade wars that serve only the rich and leave the majority behind.
We see the rise and attempt of new dictatorial and autocratic governments that rule by slogan, and deceive the people of their democratic rights.
In all of this, we as Christians are called to bring the Good News of Christ to a world that is more and more on a road to selfishness and destructive behaviors.
Today we celebrate Christ, the Good Shepherd Sunday. He brings us the Good News which we hear in our church communities and this is the aim of our lives. Because there is a joy by which we live, there is a message in which we discover our own personal calling: to always care for each other, and to strive for peace that has its roots beyond this earthly home.
Christ, the Good Shepherd reminds us all that he will give us eternal life as seen in the Gospels narratives, but also that he wants to be close to us. His earthly journey shows us what he meant by that as he is engaged with different people:
We see this with Jesus’ encounter with the woman by the Well in Samaria.

Strettamente connesso con tutto questo son le nuove metodologie di armi dell'ovest contro l'est e le guerre commerciali che servono solo i ricchi e lasciano la maggioranza dietro.
Vediamo l'ascesa e il tentativo di nuovi governi dittatoriali e autocratici che governano con slogan e ingannano il popolo dei loro diritti democratici.
In tutto questo, noi cristiani siamo chiamati a portare la Buona Novella di Cristo in un mondo che è sempre più sulla strada dell'egoismo e dei comportamenti distruttivi.
Oggi celebriamo Cristo, la domenica del Buon Pastore. Egli ci porta la buona novella che sentiamo nelle nostre comunità ecclesiali e questo è lo scopo delle nostre vite. Perché c'è una gioia con la quale viviamo, c'è un messaggio in cui scopriamo la nostra vocazione personale: prenderci sempre cura l'uno dell'altro e cercare la pace che ha le sue radici oltre questa casa terrena.
Cristo, il Buon Pastore ci ricorda che ci darà la vita eterna come si vede nelle narrazioni dei Vangeli, ma anche che vuole essere vicino a noi. Il suo viaggio terrestre ci mostra cosa intendeva con questo mentre era impegnato con persone diverse:
Lo vediamo nell'incontro di Gesù con la donna presso il pozzo in Samaria.

Quando Gesù arrivò al pozzo lui e i suoi discepoli dovevano essere affamati perché i discepoli andarono al vicino villaggio a cercare cibo. Mentre essi erano lontani Gesù ebbe una bellissima conversazione con la donna e lei gli aprì il suo cuore sempre di più chiedendogli alla fine lei stessa acqua. Così quando i discepoli ritornarono e gli offrirono del cibo lui disse che aveva già avuto da da mangiare anche se non aveva mangiato niente. La donna samaritana gli aveva aperto il cuore e questo era il cibo e la bevanda che Gesù voleva per quel giorno. ed è ciò che Gesù vuole anche da noi: che gli apriamo i nostri cuori e stiamo vicini a lui sempre, proprio come lui è sempre accanto a noi. Zaccheo era curioso di vedere Gesù così si arrampicò su un albero ma Gesù voleva molto di più che essere visto da Zaccheo così gli chiese di invitarlo a casa sua. Gesù vuole anche che tu lo inviti nella tua casa e nel tuo cuore. Possiamo vedere la stessa cosa anche quando Gesù stava morendo sulla croce e ha detto “ho sete”. Naturalmente Gesù era disidratato e aveva sete ma soprattutto ci rendiamo conto, nelle ultime sette parole pronunciate da Gesù, che lui aveva sete di amore, di amicizia, di affetto . Come soddisfiamo questa fame e sete che Gesù ha di noi? trascorrendo tempo con lui nella preghiera ogni giorno, pregando non solo per alcuni minuti ogni mattina e ogni sera ma la preghiera deve caratterizzare ogni giornata nella sua interezza. E ancora soddisfiamo la fame e la sete di Gesù del nostro amore quando veniamo insieme come Chiesa e come famiglia a messa. Soddisfiamo la sua fame e sete quando leggiamo la sua parola del Vangelo, della sacra scrittura. Soddisfiamo ancora la sua fame e sete di noi quando riceviamo i sacramenti. ogni volta che noi cerchiamo Gesù in qualsiasi cosa che facciamo nella nostra quotidianità soddisfiamo la sua fame e la sua sete di noi e così come noi soddisfiamo la fame e la sete che Cristo di noi, Gesù il buon pastore continua ad amarci e a prendersi cura di noi chiamando uomini al sacerdozio e alla vita religiosa per prendersi cura di noi e per pascerci. il sacerdozio è un segno dell’amore di Dio e della sua Cura per noi. Preghiamo che molti vogliono rispondere alla chiamata del signore e a donare se stessi a lui nel ministero sia uomini che donne.

Dear brothers and sisters in beloved Italy, every time when you come together here at the altar of our Lord as you celebrate the divine mystery of his very presence in the sacrament of the eucharist you proclaim your very existence of being his body, the church, and becoming more and more the loving family of God. For this Christ suffered, died, and rose from the dead, so that we can live.
Let us live by this wonder of Love that we discover in these Good News of Christ: every time we pray with each other, every time we see someone in need and care for, every time we encounter someone who is lost, when we see sorrow that we console and not to be consoled, to give without to receiving.
Let us live as a Christian and catholic family that hears the word of God, and lives by it.
Since I was 17 years old, I have looked at the map of Italy and saw the cities and on the map of Southern Sicily, I always wondered what would I see there, and in the years followed, I have traveled to Italy for over 50 times as I was always amazed by the love of her people, and attracted by her beauty and history, but I never made it to Sicily.
Today I see a vision to be fulfilled: I am here in this beautiful part of Italy, and I am with a loving and caring Church family that is so welcoming that God can only love you all, and we are all in aw by it.
God love is ever present among all of us, because we have found it through Christ, the Good Shepherd, and it has become way of life for eternity.
It is our deep desire that we always live in God’s divine presence here in this earthly home, and to see His/Her face shining in each one of us.
Let us always be this loving and caring family which the early Christians were so known for it, and had grown so fast through the ancient world. Let us always find our way to the heard of God where we are all home.
I want to thank you for your commitment and love, and again to salute you with the Love and Peace of the Risen Christ that belongs to all of us. Amen

Cari fratelli e sorelle nell'amata Italia, ogni volta che venite insieme qui all'altare di nostro Signore mentre celebrate il mistero divino della sua stessa presenza nel sacramento dell'eucaristia, proclamate la vostra stessa esistenza come suo corpo, chiesa, e diventate sempre più l'amorevole famiglia di Dio. Per questo Cristo ha sofferto, è morto e risorto dai morti, affinché possiamo anche noi avere la vita.
Viviamo con questa meraviglia di Amore che scopriamo in questa Buona Novella di Cristo: ogni volta che preghiamo l'uno per l'altro, ogni volta che vediamo qualcuno nel bisogno e ce ne prendiamo cura, ogni volta che incontriamo qualcuno che si perduto, quando vediamo il dolore e diamo consolazione senza essere consolati noi stessi, abbiamo donato generosamente senza ricevere.
Viviamo come una famiglia cristiana e cattolica che ascolta la parola di Dio e vive con essa e di essa.
Da quando avevo 17 anni, guardavo la mappa dell'Italia e vedevo le città della Sicilia meridionale, mi sono sempre chiesto cosa avrei potuto vedere lì, e negli anni seguenti, ho viaggiato in Italia per oltre 50 volte e sono sempre rimasto stupito dall'amore della sua gente, attratto dalla sua bellezza e dalla sua storia, ma non ero mai arrivato in Sicilia.
Oggi vedo questo realizzato: sono qui in questa bellissima parte d'Italia, e sono con una famiglia di Chiesa amorevole e premurosa, così accogliente che Dio non può che amarvi tutti e di questo siamo tutti d'accordo.
L'amore di Dio è sempre presente in tutti noi, perché l'abbiamo scoperto attraverso Cristo, il Buon Pastore, ed deve diventare il nostro stile di vita per l'eternità.
È nostro profondo desiderio che viviamo sempre alla divina presenza di Dio qui in questa casa terrena per poi godere della visione del suo volto che brilla in ognuno di noi.
Cerchiamo di essere sempre questa famiglia amorevole e premurosa come i primi cristiani che erano famosi per questo, e la chiesa è cresciuta velocemente attraverso il mondo antico proprio grazie a questa testimonianza. Cerchiamo sempre la nostra strada mettendoci all’ascolto di Dio, per sentirci tutti a casa.

Voglio ringraziarvi per il vostro impegno e amore, e ancora salutarvi con l'Amore e la Pace di Cristo risorto che appartiene a tutti noi. Amen

Interview with Italian Newspaper
http://www.quilicata.it/chiesa-cattolica-ecumenica-di-cristo-oggi-larcivescovo-primate-rodig-ordina-due-sacerdoti/?fbclid=IwAR3-sgqkffzPjn3jrlleKOhgqN1Zms2EnKJ8jvI17g_oT-ko6-oLIphrKWE

Welcome Address for Ecumenical Primate Dr. Karl Rodig by H. E. Metropolitan Archbishop of Italy, ++Agostino Caro
Beloved and revered Archbishop, Dear Brother,
As pastor and bishop of this diocese, I wish to welcome you among us, among your people. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, he who comes to confirm us in faith. With gratitude we address the greeting of the Apostle Paul: "grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord" and together with you, I wish to address my cordial greeting to all and to offer them my sincere thanks for having accepted the invitation to be present at such an important event for our church.
First of all, beloved father, we wish to thank you for the trust you gave to us all when, last year, you raised our diocese to the rank of metropolitan archdiocese and then, through the dear Archbishop Apostolic Nunzio Francisco José , you invested me with the pallium , a sign of our total communion and of the responsibility that the good shepherd must bring to our Lord's model.
The Archdiocese of Italy is large, varied, complex. With its dramas and its joys, its problems and its resources. It is made by people who love the Lord, who want the presence of our beloved church to give love and hospitality without distinction.

It is made by priests of various ages, with different backgrounds and past histories, often linked together by experiences of pain, rejection or defeat. They are precious priests and of various charisms, which, at times, do not find the right harmony and peaceful agreement. This is why, in offering this greeting, the words of the "novo millenio ineunte" come to mind, in which the Holy Pope John Paul II invites us to the SPIRITUALITY OF COMMUNION, even going so far as to bring "one another's burdens". And I am a witness to this: my beloved presbytery is generous, made up of priests and deacons with a great heart and holy vocations, tried and tried like gold in the crucible. All as one person, they take each other with love and care. A small family where brothers and sisters compete to respect each other. Never before, has the dimension of communion, family and fraternity, to be emphasized in the Church.
It is in communion, in fact, that we find the drive and strength to walk on the roads of a world that offers only opportunities for weak relationships and tearing divisions. It is communion with you that are a caring brother for us, with the whole College of Bishops in the world, and among us that we want to continue living. Certain and grasped by the penetrating force of the Gospel of Christ; it is only grafted onto this joyful communion that we will be able to leave the temple, to stand in the churchyard, in the world, and "make the Church present and active in those places and in those circumstances, in which it cannot become the salt of the earth except through us"(cit. Lumen Gentium).

Dear brother, Italy is not a simple terrain in which to live our ministry in the independent Catholic movement since, obviously, the presence of the Vatican is prevaricating and often our people and especially our clergy suffer from ostracism and in some ways, even violence . We are missionaries and pioneers and therefore we ask you to support us with your prayer.
In many cases, due to economic problems, we cannot rent places for our churches and, like the first Christians, we gather in the Domus ecclesiae. I always tell my priests that our church is the road, everyday life and workplaces. We are all worker priests even if today, finding a job is very difficult and often with absurd schedules and salaries that do not allow us to face life with serenity, but we have faith and above all, we have our ministry.
Our humble work is to focus testimony and mission on the poor, on discriminated, on those who are rejected and on the Eucharist.

The poor, more and more, must be our mirror, our measure.
Many, perhaps, think that Italy does not experience phenomena of old and new poverty, of social marginalization, of exploitation. Here, too, there are those who not only struggle to get to the end of the month, but that do not even know how to start it.
But there is not only material poverty. The most difficult to deal with, is the poverty of a respectable society that lives by hypocrisy, by daily violence against those who are weaker. Today, unfortunately in Italy, there is a regime that is strong on people's fears: fear of the foreigner, fear of the different. We, with our spirituality of acceptance and inclusiveness, are, with humility, a sign and instrument of the tenderness of the Father who loves every one of his children without ifs and without but, without distinction, dispassionately. The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ in the Archdiocese of Italy of Saints Sergius and Bacchus stands out in our country precisely because of this spirit of indiscriminate love, for a total acceptance and for the courage to embrace the lepers of our time.
Attention to the poor, however, engages us in the transforming logic of the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Love. The Eucharist is the pivot around which the entire pastoral and evangelizing activity revolves. For this our earth, "the Eucharist is not only the source and summit of the life of the Church; it is also of his mission: "An authentically Eucharistic Church is a missionary Church” (cit. Sacramentum Caritatis).
It is also important and not secondary our ministry next to the discriminated people, the divorced, the unmarried couples, the people of the LGBT community who are often offended, violated, abandoned and discriminated or even worse removed and chased away. They find a safe place with us, welcoming communities and where they can experience the Father's tenderness.
Unfortunately in Italy we are still few and for this we must pray incessantly for the precious and rich gift of hope: vocations.
The Archdiocese is currently served by priests and deacons scattered throughout the various regions, although not all of us are present.

• Today we will ordain our beloved Don Francesco as a priest, after many years of zealous service, as a deacon, has matured, with our guidance, the desire for the priesthood. He serves with love and dedication the mission of Saints Francis and Clare in the territory of the North West (Val d’Aosta, Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria).
Father Luca in the North East Vicariate (Trentino, Veneto, Friuli, Emilia Romagna). He is an honorary priest and gave us the joy of a beautiful child, Edward who just turned one year old. Father Luca takes care of the holy family mission of Nazareth and in various regions, but thanking the Lord he is wonderfully assisted by his dear wife Elisa, together they are missionaries of joy.
In Emilia Romagna, in Riccione, we have the Agnus Dei mission where we do not yet have a priest, but a highly trained and enthusiastic seminarian: Gilberto.
The very young fr. Daniel serves the Lord in the community mother of perseverance in Rome.
Going down the boot, we have a great void from Rome to Calabria, where we have a wonderful mission: the Sant’Elia mission, which is lovingly served by don Fortunato, he will be ordained as a priest today.
Finally we are in Sicily where we have our first woman priest
Mother Raffaela, married to Alessandro and mother of three wonderful guys. Presbyter full of charisms and enthusiasm, she works strenuously in the Etna territory and serves the community of Saint Gemma.
The territory of Catania also has another precious gem: fr. David. He too is married to a wonderful woman, Miriam. Father Davide is a practical man, a strong priest, a priest who has exercised his ministry in the suburbs, always in the most difficult places. He is our father Metal.
In addition to serving the church with mother Raffaela in the Etna area, he is also in charge of the mission in the province of Ragusa, San Michele Arcangelo mission.
• And finally, Licata, with the community of the cathedral of San Damian where, besides me, there are the very dear Fr. Giuseppe, and the acolyte Gaetano, who will be ordained a deacon next June 23, there is the permanent deacon don Angelo Marco. Father Giuseppe and Gaetano are my arms, those who give freshness and enthusiasm to the activities of the parish. They are the delight of my daily life with their help and support.
The seminarians and vocations are my primary concern in prayer. Vocation ministry is central to our ministry because we realize that for a more incisive pastoral care in such a vast diocese, there must be more priests and deacons who with courage and self-sacrifice can be a sign and instrument of the Father's tenderness.

Dearest brother, support us in this task with prayer, we increasingly weld the communion between us and in the presence of the clergy and of the many faithful who have come from various parts of Italy, I renew my total obedience to you and to the Manifesto of the Church and walk this stretch together on the roads of history, to get to say, with Paul, "Our living is Christ" (Phil. 1:21). Amen. Alleluia

Easter 2019

Christus Resurrexit Vere Alleluja!

(Please share with all, Thank you! Compartir con todos, Gracias!)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

Peace be with you all! With this Easter Greetings of the Risen Christ to His Apostles and Followers, I greet you on this holiest of holy seasons!

We have walked with Jesus through the Lenten Season experiencing his closeness with God, and teaching his followers. We have arrived at Easter. What we learn from here is our through encounter with the risen Lord. I want to share with you a letter that our Vicar General from Sri Lanka sent me from Henry Y. A. Nouwen. It is a good reflection for all of us.

Jesus Makes Our Deepest Self Known

"Our heart is at the center of our being human. There our deepest thoughts, intuitions, emotions, and decisions find their source. But it’s also there that we are often most alienated from ourselves. We know little or nothing of our own heart. We keep our distance, as though we were afraid of it. What is most intimate is also what frightens us most. Where we are most ourselves, we are often strangers to ourselves. That is the painful part of our being human. We fail to know our hidden center; and so we live and die often without knowing who we really are. If we ask ourselves why we think, feel, and act in such and such a way, we often have no answer, thus proving to be strangers in our own house. The mystery of the spiritual life is that Jesus desires to meet us in the seclusion of our own heart, to make his love known to us there, to free us from our fears, and to make our own deepest self known to us. In the privacy of our heart, therefore, we can learn not only to know Jesus but, through Jesus, ourselves as well."

Wishing you all a Blessed and Joyous Easter Season!

May we all grow deeper into the heart of Jesus which is the Heart of God.
ECCC NEWS:
India:

First Synod in India in April 2019: Our Nuncio for Asia, H. E. Dr. Sunny Alappat with the Clergy were contemplating the Spiritual growth and Development of the ECCC in India. Archbishop Sunny and his current 12 priests are working with our Church Manifesto and its relevance to the Indian Culture, and with a Vision of Ecumenism, Evangelization and Unity of Churches in India.

Thank you all in our Church in India for your commitment and renewal in the Holy Spirit!

America Latina:

Costa Rica: Our Apostolic Nuncio for Latin America, H. E. Sebastian Pla works with the different regions for the growth of the ECCC and strengthen the church through his guidance. Thank you for all the sacrifices!

Brazil:

H. E. Archbishop Dom Lucas has completed the bell tower for his Cathedral in Mina Jerais. He enjoying a growing membership with his church and brother bishops in Brazil! Thank you!

Colombia: Our bishops and clergy working in various places with projects for the poor, and building more missions! Thank you for your zealous work for God's people!

Peru: Our bishops and clergy reaching out to new communities furthering the spiritual needs of so many. Thank you so much brothers!
Equador: The Church is growing! Thank you all for your ecumenical spirit!

Africa:

Kenya: Our Nuncio for Africa in Kenya, H. E. Archbishop Godfrey Siundu has widened the missions in Kenya and has received new members for the ECCC, including ordinations.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: We welcome wholeheartedly the New Order of St. Francis and Saint Clare with its growing membership under the leadership of Rev. Damas Mukumba. Thank you all for your love and dedication to the Work of Christ!
Nigeria: Mr. Joseph Goru is in diaolog with our Nuncio for Africa as he shows interest in the ECCC. There are more people in Africa who are now in dialog with our Nuntio for joining the ECCC.
Europe:

Italy:

Apostolic Visit of the Ecumenical Primate Dr. Karl Rodig to Italy in May 2019:

-Rome to the Grave of St. Peter.

-Pastoral Visit to our Metropolitan Archdiocese of Italy with her See in Licata, Sicily under the Leadership of H. E. Archbishop Agostino Caro. Looking very much forward to meeting you all!

We congratulate Rev. Mother Rafaela for her ordination to the Priesthood.

She is the first women priest in our ECCC! We are very happy and give thanks to God for the gift received in her! In the Name of Mary Magdalene, many blessings upon you!

Plans are considered to find a new Worldwide Headquarter for the ECCC. I am in contact with different realtors! The idea is the expansion of our ECCC. Prayers needed! May God's will be done.

Ongoing search for and old Monastery/convent or Church in Europe. Our Nuncio for Southern Europe, Archbishop, H. E. Francisco Bauselles from Catalonia is also searching for it.

Bulgaria:
Our Nuncio for Bulgaria, H. E. Archbishop Hristo is receiving new members into our church from Hungary and other countries who show interest in our ECCC. Thank you for all your good Work!

USA:
Michigan:
H. E. Archbishop Dr. Kimo Keawe has accepted the position as Coadjutor to the Cathedral in Detroit. He will assume his new position in August 2019

With the worldwide responsibility of our ECCC, he will assist the Primate for the USA Continent.

Archbishop Dr. Kimo Keawe with the recommendation of the Primate Archbishop Dr. Karl Rodig has also assumed the position as Chancellor for St. Anthony Liturgical House of Studies with unanimous vote by the board. A special Thank you to Fr. Dr. Tom and Garry who were instrumental in all of this.

Cathedral of St. Anthony in Detroit enjoys in the last few month a growing membership. We praise God for the Grace we receive.

2020

Ecumenical Primates Dr. Karl Rodig plans Pastoral Visits to India, to Costa Rica Central America, and to Colombia, and God willing Peru.

2020 planning for the Synod is still in the works.

Please work all on the recommendations in the pastoral letter from December 2018.

Thank you all for your service in the Lord!

Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo!

¡La paz sea con todos ustedes! Con este saludo de Pascua de Cristo resucitado a sus apóstoles y seguidores, ¡lo saludo en esta más santa de las estaciones santas!

Hemos caminado con Jesús a través de la temporada de Cuaresma experimentando su cercanía con Dios y enseñando a sus seguidores. Hemos llegado a la Pascua. Lo que aprendemos de aquí es nuestro encuentro con el Señor resucitado. Quiero compartir con ustedes una carta que nuestro vicario general de Sri Lanka me envió de parte de Henry Y. A. Nouwen. Es un buen reflejo para todos nosotros.

Jesús hace que nuestro yo más profundo sea conocido

"Nuestro corazón está en el centro de nuestro ser humano. Allí nuestros pensamientos más profundos, intuiciones, emociones y decisiones encuentran su origen. Pero también es allí donde a menudo estamos más alejados de nosotros mismos. Sabemos poco o nada de nuestro propio corazón. Nos mantenemos alejados, como si le tuviéramos miedo. Lo que es más íntimo también es lo que más nos asusta. Donde más somos nosotros mismos, a menudo somos extraños para nosotros mismos. Esa es la parte dolorosa de nuestro ser humano. conocemos nuestro centro oculto, y así vivimos y morimos a menudo sin saber quiénes somos realmente. Si nos preguntamos por qué pensamos, sentimos y actuamos de tal o cual manera, a menudo no tenemos una respuesta, por lo que demostramos ser extraños en nuestra propia casa

El misterio de la vida espiritual es que Jesús desea encontrarse con nosotros en la reclusión de nuestro propio corazón, darnos a conocer su amor allí, liberarnos de nuestros miedos y darnos a conocer nuestro ser más profundo. Por lo tanto, en la intimidad de nuestro corazón, podemos aprender no solo a conocer a Jesús sino también, a través de Jesús, a nosotros mismos ".

¡Deseándoles a todos un bendito y feliz Pascua!

Que todos son mas cerca al corazón de Jesús, que es el Corazón de Dios.

NOTICIAS ICEC:

Asia
India:

Primer sínodo en la India en abril de 2019: Nuestro Nuncio para Asia, H. E. Dr. Sunny Alappat con el Clero, estaba contemplando el crecimiento espiritual y el desarrollo del ICEC en la India. El arzobispo Sunny y sus 12 sacerdotes actuales están trabajando con nuestro Manifiesto de la Iglesia y su relevancia para la cultura india, y con una Visión de Ecumenismo, Evangelización y Unidad de Iglesias en la India. ¡Gracias a todos en nuestra Iglesia en la India por su compromiso y renovación en el Espíritu Santo!

América latina:

Costa Rica: nuestro nuncio apostólico para América Latina, H. E. Sebastian Pla trabaja con las diferentes regiones para el crecimiento de la ECCC y fortalece a la iglesia a través de su guía. ¡Gracias por todos los sacrificios!

Brasil:

H. E. El arzobispo Dom Lucas ha completado el campanario de su catedral en Mina Jerais. ¡Está disfrutando de una membresía creciente con su iglesia y hermanos obispos en Brasil! ¡Gracias!

Colombia: ¡Nuestros obispos y clérigos trabajan en varios lugares con proyectos para los pobres y construyen más misiones! ¡Gracias por su celoso trabajo para el pueblo de Dios!

Perú: Nuestros obispos y clérigos están llegando a nuevas comunidades para promover las necesidades espirituales de tantos. Muchas gracias hermanos!

Ecuador: La iglesia está creciendo! ¡Gracias a todos por todos en su espíritu ecuménico!

África:

Kenia: Nuestro Nuncio para África en Kenia, H. E. El Arzobispo Godfrey Siundu ha ampliado las misiones en Kenia y ha recibido nuevos miembros para la ICEC, incluidas las ordenaciones.

República Democrática del Congo: Damos la bienvenida de todo corazón a la Nueva Orden de San Francisco y Santa Clara, con su creciente membresía bajo el liderazgo de la Reverenda Damas Mukumba. ¡Gracias a todos por su amor y dedicación a la Obra de Cristo!

Nigeria: el Sr. Joseph Goru está en diaologo con nuestro Nuncio para África, ya que muestra interés en el ICEC. Hay más personas en África que ahora están en diálogo con nuestro Nuntio para unirse a la ICEC.

Europa:

Italia:

Visita apostólica del primate ecuménico Dr. Karl Rodig a Italia en mayo de 2019:

-Roma a la tumba de San Pedro. -Visita pastoral a nuestra Arquidiócesis Metropolitana con su Sede en Licata, Sicilly bajo el liderazgo de H. E. Arzobispo Agostino Caro. ¡Estoy ansioso por conocerlos a todos!

Felicitamos a la Reverendo Madre Rafaela por su ordenación al Sacerdocio. ¡Es la primera mujer sacerdote en nuestro ECCC! ¡Estamos muy felices y damos gracias a Dios por el don recibido en ella! ¡En el nombre de María Magdalena, muchas bendiciones para ti!

Somos considerando los planes de una nueva Santa Sede Mundial para la ICEC. Estoy en contacto con diferentes agentes inmobiliarios! La idea es la expansión de nuestra ICEC. Oraciones necesarias! Que se haga la voluntad de Dios.

Búsqueda en curso y antiguo monasterio / convento o iglesia en Europa. Nuestro Nuncio para el sur de Europa, el arzobispo, H. E. Francisco Bauselles de Cataluña también lo está buscando.

Bulgaria:

Nuestro Nuncio para Bulgaria, H. E. El Arzobispo Hristo está recibiendo nuevos miembros en nuestra iglesia de Hungría y otros países que muestran interés en nuestra ECCC. ¡Gracias por todo tu buen trabajo!

ESTADOS UNIDOS:

Michigan:

H. E. Arzobispo Dr. Kimo Keawe ha aceptado el puesto de Coadjutor de la Catedral en Detroit. Asumirá su nuevo cargo en agosto de 2019.

Con la responsabilidad mundial de nuestro ECCC, él asistirá al Primate para el Continente de los Estados Unidos.

El Arzobispo Dr. Kimo Keawe con la recomendación del Primado Dr. Karl Rodig también asumió el cargo de Canciller de la Casa de Estudios Litúrgicos de San Antonio con un voto unánime de la Junta. Un agradecimiento especial al Padre Dr. Tom y Señor Garry que fueron instrumentales en todo esto.

La Catedral de San Antonio en Detroit disfruta en los últimos meses de una membresía creciente. Alabamos a Dios por la gracia que recibimos.

2020

Primates ecuménicos El Dr. Karl Rodig planea visitas pastorales a India, a Costa Rica, a América Central, a Colombia y Dios quiere al Perú.

La planificación de 2020 para el Sínodo todavía está en las obras.

Por favor, trabajen con las recomendaciones de la carta pastoral de diciembre de 2018.

¡Gracias a todos por su servicio en el Señor!

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.

-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 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 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

Easter A. D. 2018

Christus resurrexit vere! Alleluja!

(Please share with all, Thank you! Compartir con todos, Gracias!)

The Peace of the Risen Christ be with you all, dear brothers and sisters of our worldwide church communion!

‘We are an Easter people and alleluia is our song.’ (St Augustine)

I would like to share with you three Ways we can walk in our lives with Jesus:

First: Toward the old Jerusalem: Discover who we are, and whom to follow.

As we walked through this year's Lenten Season, we searched for our commitment with Christ, our personal life history, seeing our weaknesses that we needed to correct, but moreover we have discovered our strength in faith. We have might come to a new understanding how we see Christ in our life, in our church family, He, our Savior and Guiding Light.

We find ourselves on a journey toward the New Jerusalem, our destiny. Along the way, we need to find the answer: how can we better declare our love for Jesus through word and deed? What is therefore the real meaning and purpose for us Christians in this world?

One situation we face every day is that we are drawn between the world immanent matters and a real spiritual awareness/awakening. We often exchange these two to reward ourselves as it is only up to us, and not to God who is above everything...

How can we reconcile the world in which we live with the demands of our faith in God? It feels to us that there is a struggle going on within us: I cannot leave my lifestyle that I am so used to, yet I do want to be closer to God with all my existence...The early church fathers wrote quite a bit of this struggle and they knew that the answer is Christ who is all in all for us.

For us as Christians, it is the focus on the Life, and the mysteries of Christ Jesus, His Suffering and Resurrection that will help us to conquer our disbelieves, our status quo, our self inflicted wounds, our own misery that cries out to God. If we only seek the answer through our own making, we will end up nowhere...If we start believing and understanding more deeper Christ in our life, he will provide for us, and we join the millions and millions of Christians who found and experienced throughout history a joy that is beyond all this world can offer!

We have to realize that Christ Jesus is not against this world, "He came into his own..." This world is God's creation. Christ, the Son of God, "took on human flesh" in order to be one of us and he lived among us, human and divine. Jesus's words, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" is the ultimate answer how to live in HIS creation. We realize that Christ in his earthly life walked toward Jerusalem, the Temple, the Holiest place in Judaism. There he declared that HE is the New Temple...As he entered Jerusalem, he knew the crowds would shout the "Hosanna" to the King of Kings, but he knew this will end in human catastrophe because they were not seeking the heavenly kingdom, but to foster the earthly kingdom of Israel. So, it was for the majority not about the Messiah, the spiritual and Divine Grace that was present in Jesus, it was their self-seeking way.

And here we find ourselves, we love to walk toward the heavenly Jerusalem to meet Christ, the eternal King, yet we are easy to fall into the trap of self-deceiving ways, thinking we are on the right way, but missing out when it comes to change that a few saw necessary, like Mary the mother of Jesus, John the beloved, and Mary Magdalene who stood with him till the dying on the cross...This image has to enter our heart and mind in order to find HIM...

Second: Leave the old Jerusalem and walking toward Golgotha.

Where do we stand right now in our lives? Are we still walking toward the old Jerusalem, shouting "Hosanna", and not knowing we need to leave the old Temple, finding Jesus who is the New Temple, and made us all a holy temple through the Holy Spirit?

It is the uncomfortable, the miserable No we still carry in our hearts, not wanting to face the cross, not feeling right to carry it, because it is a burden, because the world again tells us otherwise, like you don't have to do this, leave it alone, live the high life that makes you happy, and do not care about the poor, do not feel for the suffering, and curse God when illness befalls you, or one in your family...and on and on...So we keep walking toward the earthly Jerusalem, and not toward the heavenly Jerusalem, we keep looking for other spiritual means of superstition, astrology, and so on, indulging ourselves with material means...

It is only when we say yes to the Cross that Jesus carried, and died on it, that we can say yes to our own cross and walk with Him toward Easter! Again, only this Yes to Jesus, His life, suffering, and resurrection is the most precious word we can utter within our hearts, because it is God's Grace that will help us to live it!

What else is there to look forward in this short earthly life as to find this deep inner fulfillment in the Life of Jesus that lasts for eternity!

"No one can come to the Father except through me", Jesus says this with the same breath to the sentence earlier, "I am the way, the truth and the life"...And Paul confirms it, "I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me".

Through this awareness, we are leaving the old Jerusalem toward the Crucifixion of Christ, the Son of God, and not shying away from it through intellectual arguments, through the deceit of the modern world that wants us be trapped in disbelief...Again, the cross is indeed the only reality of Jesus not having died in vain, but being the Son of God, brutally murdered for our salvation! This is God's ultimate declaration of Love for each one of us! It is the sign of victory over death! Facing this Cross of Jesus and caring on our own cross, will bring us closer to the light of the resurrection and Life eternal.

Third: Walking as Easter People

Having worked as a chaplain for 11 years in hospitals and nursing homes, I always saw people who through their faith found themselves more under the cross of Jesus, seeing beyond their own suffering, and finding inner peace that the bystanders might not easy accept, especially in the suffering of a child. I would like to mention the little story of a 7 year old girl that was dying of brain cancer, and with enormous pain, there was one day that the parents came to visit her, and the girl was so calm, saying with a smiling face, "do not worry so much I am going to God"...The parents were outraged and could not understand such uttering, and asked me if I or a doctor told the girl she was dying, which we did not. Only after a while, the parents came to see that the girl was trying to comfort them through her love, feeling that God will welcome her...

We find ourselves often as the disciples who walked to Emmaus, grieving, talking, and not understanding what happen outside the old city of Jerusalem...And there it was Jesus joined them, walking with them and open their eyes, and after the meal they realized their hearts were burning, because their love for Jesus just found the answer!

We enter with Jesus the old Jerusalem seeing the man made world as it is, driven by greed, deceit, false promises, and mayhem..., we finally realize, we need to take on our own cross with Jesus present, leaving the old temple of Jerusalem, walking with HIM toward Golgotha, encounter his crucifixion, death, and seeing the light of His glorious resurrection!

We are strengthen in our faith for our earthly journey toward the heavenly Kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem, because it is Him who opens our eyes, and by grace shows us the way, and in the Holy Spirit we find this deep joy that sings the Easter Alleluia.

Yes, ‘We are an Easter people and alleluia is our song.’ (St Augustine)

Let our hearts keep burning for Christ with the fire of love, because He walks with us, and if you still looking for him, let's remind us "But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee'...

Indeed, we find Jesus within ourselves, everywhere we go, in our neighbor, in the peace we create, in the love for His creation, in the love for the poor, in working toward a just society, in our suffering, in our joys, and in our longing for seeing HIM in God's eternal Kingdom.

Wishing you all a Blessed and Joyous Easter! May the Risen Lord shine through us, and lead us as we, the Easter People sing, Alleluia!

With my prayers and apostolic benedictions

yours in Christ

+Karl

ECCC Church World News:

Mexico: Bishop Rodolfo had a good meeting with the Roman Catholic Apostolic Nuncio for Mexico talking about our Church.

Asia:

India: Bishop Suny and his priests working hard to spread the good news of our Church with success !

Pakistan: Our Ministers working very hard for the poor!

The Philippines: Bishop Armando, and Bishop Manuel reaching out to more people, and the congregations are growing!

Latin America:

Costa Rica: Peru: Colombia: Panamá: Our Archbishop and Apostolic Nuncio for Latin America is spreading the ECCC deeper into Central and South America with our Presence in Peru and Colombia expanding! Our Archbishop in Brazil, Dom Lucas will be the Contact person for the Catholic Church Reform international meeting in Brazil this year.

Europe: Thanks to our Apostolic Nuncio in Europe, Archbishop Hristo, in Bulgaria for his commitment to dialog with other churches.

Our Bishop Agostino from Italy had a good meeting with the Roman Catholic Reform movement, Catholic Church Reform International in Rome.

Ukraine: and Russia: Our Orthodox Priests are spreading the good news and living a true ecumenical spirit among the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and the major Orthodox Churches.

USA: Thanks to our tireless members of the new Seminary online, it is also going on the airwaves with a radio show.

Please to all of you:

Reach out and recommend to people: seminarians, men and women, young and old, anyone who is interested for going online to study in biblical or theological matters! Thank you!

Here is the Seminary Website again where you can see the different study programs, and needed contacts:

http://www.cathedralofstanthonydetroit.org/st-anthonys-cathedral-liturgical-house-of-studies.php

We are still working on a Spanish Language for the seminary, hopefully more languages to come.

Pascua

Christus resurrexit vere! Alleluja!

(Por favor, comparta con todos, ¡Gracias!)

¡La Paz de Cristo resucitado sea con todos Uds., queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo de nuestra comunión mundial de la iglesia!

'Somos un pueblo de Pascua y nuestra canción es el aleluya' (San Agustín)

Me gustaría compartir con ustedes tres maneras en que podemos caminar en nuestras vidas con Jesús:

Primero: Hacia Jerusalén: descubra quiénes somos y a quién seguir.

Mientras caminábamos a través de la Temporada de Cuaresma de este año, buscamos nuestro compromiso con Cristo, nuestra historia de vida personal, viendo nuestras debilidades que necesitábamos corregir, pero además descubrimos nuestra fortaleza en la fe. Podríamos llegar a una nueva comprensión de cómo vemos a Cristo en nuestra vida, en nuestra familia de la iglesia, Él, nuestro Salvador y Luz Guía.

Nos encontramos en un viaje hacia la Nueva Jerusalén, nuestro destino. En el camino, necesitamos encontrar la respuesta: ¿cómo podemos declarar mejor nuestro amor por Jesús a través de las palabras y los hechos? ¿Cuál es, por lo tanto, el verdadero significado y propósito para nosotros, los cristianos en este mundo?

Una situación que enfrentamos todos los días es que estamos atraídos entre los asuntos inmanentes del mundo y una conciencia / despertar espiritual real. A menudo intercambiamos estos dos para recompensarse a nosotros mismos, ya que depende solo de nosotros, y no a Dios que está por encima de todo ...

¿Cómo podemos reconciliar el mundo en el que vivimos con las demandas de nuestra fe en Dios? Nos parece que hay una lucha dentro de nosotros: no puedo dejar mi estilo de vida al que estoy tan acostumbrado, sin embargo, quiero estar más cerca de Dios con toda mi existencia ... Los primeros padres de la iglesia escribieron bastante de esta lucha y sabían que la respuesta es Cristo, que es todo en todos nosotros.

Para nosotros como cristianos, es el enfoque en la Vida, los misterios de Cristo Jesús, Su Sufrimiento y Resurrección lo que nos ayudará a conquistar a nuestros incrédulos, nuestro status quo, nuestras heridas autoinfligidas, nuestra propia miseria que clama a Dios. Si solo buscamos la respuesta por nuestra propia cuenta, no terminaremos en nada ... Si comenzamos a creer y entender a Cristo más profundo en nuestra vida, él nos proveerá, y nos uniremos a los millones y millones de cristianos que encontraron y experimentado a través de la historia, una alegría que está más allá de todo lo que este mundo puede ofrecer!

Debemos darnos cuenta de que Cristo Jesús no está en contra de este mundo, "Él entró en lo suyo ..." Este mundo es creación de Dios. Cristo, el Hijo de Dios, "tomó carne humana" para ser uno de nosotros y vivió entre nosotros, humano y divino. Las palabras de Jesús, "Yo soy el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida" es la respuesta definitiva sobre cómo vivir en SU creación. Nos damos cuenta de que Cristo en su vida terrenal caminó hacia Jerusalén, el Templo, el lugar más santo en el judaísmo. Allí declaró que ÉL es el Nuevo Templo ... Al entrar en Jerusalén, sabía que la multitud gritaba "Hosanna" al Rey de Reyes, pero sabía que esto terminaría en una catástrofe humana porque no buscaban el reino celestial, pero para fomentar el reino terrenal de Israel. Entonces, era para la mayoría no sobre el Mesías, la Gracia espiritual y divina que estaba presente en Jesús, pero un camino egoísta para ellos.

Y aquí nos encontramos, amamos caminar hacia la Jerusalén celestial para encontrarnos con Cristo, el Rey eterno, pero somos fáciles de caer en la trampa de engañarnos, pensando que estamos en el camino correcto, pero perdiéndonos cuando viene a cambiar lo que algunos vieron necesario, como María, la madre de Jesús, Juan el amado, y María Magdalena, que estuvo con él hasta la muerte en la cruz ... Esta imagen tiene que entrar en nuestro corazón y mente para poder encontrarlo a él.

Segundo: abandonar la antigua Jerusalén y caminar hacia el Gólgota.

¿Dónde nos encontramos ahora en nuestras vidas? ¿Todavía estamos caminando hacia la vieja Jerusalén, gritando "Hosanna", y sin saber que tenemos que abandonar el antiguo Templo, encontrar a Jesús, que es el Nuevo Templo, y hacernos a todos un templo santo a través del Espíritu Santo?

Es lo incómodo, lo miserable que aún cargamos en nuestros corazones, no querer enfrentar la cruz, no sentirnos bien al cargarla, porque es una carga, porque el mundo nuevamente nos dice lo contrario, como si no tuviéramos que haz esto, déjalo en paz, vive la gran vida que te hace feliz, y no te preocupes por los pobres, no sientas por el sufrimiento, y maldigas a Dios cuando te sobreviene la enfermedad, o uno en tu familia ... y sigue y en ... Así que seguimos caminando hacia la Jerusalén terrenal, y no hacia la Jerusalén celestial, seguimos buscando otros medios espirituales de superstición, astrología, etc., entregándonos con medios materiales ...

¡Solo cuando decimos Sí a la Cruz que Jesús cargó, y morimos en ella, podemos decir sí a nuestra propia cruz y caminar con Él hacia la Pascua! De nuevo, solo este Sí a Jesús, Su vida, Sufrimiento y Resurrección es la palabra más preciosa que podemos pronunciar en nuestros corazones, ¡porque es la gracia de Dios la que nos ayudará a vivirla!

¡Qué más hay que esperar en esta corta vida terrenal para encontrar esta profunda realización interna en la Vida de Jesús que dura por la eternidad!

"Nadie puede venir al Padre sino por mí", Jesús dice con el mismo aliento a la frase anterior, "Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida" ... Y Pablo lo confirma, "He sido crucificado con Cristo, pero yo vivo, ya no soy yo, sino que Cristo vive en mí ".

A través de esta toma de conciencia, estamos dejando la vieja Jerusalén hacia la Crucifixión de Cristo, el Hijo de Dios, y no nos alejamos de ella mediante argumentos intelectuales, a través del engaño del mundo moderno que quiere que quedemos atrapados en la incredulidad ... De nuevo, ¡la cruz es de hecho la única realidad de que Jesús no murió en vano, sino que es el Hijo de Dios, brutalmente asesinado por nuestra salvación! ¡Esta es la máxima declaración de amor de Dios para cada uno de nosotros! ¡Es el signo de la victoria sobre la muerte! Enfrentar esta Cruz de Jesús y cuidar nuestra propia cruz nos acercará a la luz de la resurrección y la Vida eterna.

Tercero: caminar como gente de Pascua

Después de haber trabajado como capellán durante 11 años en hospitales y hogares de ancianos, siempre vi personas que por su fe se encontraban más bajo la cruz de Jesús, viendo más allá de su propio sufrimiento y encontrando una paz interior que los espectadores no podían aceptar fácilmente, especialmente en el sufrimiento de un niño. Me gustaría mencionar la pequeña historia de una niña de 7 años que se estaba muriendo de cáncer cerebral, y con un dolor enorme, hubo un día que los padres vinieron a visitarla, y la niña estaba tan tranquila, diciendo con una cara sonriente "No te preocupes tanto, voy a ir a Dios" ... Los padres se indignaron y no podían entender tales expresiones, y me preguntaron si un médico o yo le dijimos a la niña que se estaba muriendo, cosa que no hicimos. Solo después de un tiempo, los padres llegaron a ver que la niña estaba tratando de consolarlos a través de su amor, sintiendo que Dios la recibiría ...

Nos encontramos a menudo como los discípulos que caminaron hacia Emaús, afligidos, hablando y sin entender lo que sucede fuera de la ciudad vieja de Jerusalén ... Y allí estaba Jesús, se les unió, caminando con ellos y les abrió los ojos, y después de la comida se dieron cuenta de que sus corazones ardían, ¡porque su amor por Jesús acaba de encontrar la respuesta!

Entramos con Jesús en la vieja Jerusalén viendo el mundo hecho por el hombre tal como es, impulsado por la avaricia, el engaño, las falsas promesas y el caos ..., finalmente nos damos cuenta, tenemos que tomar nuestra propia cruz con Jesús presente, dejando el viejo ¡templo de Jerusalén, caminando con ÉL hacia el Gólgota, encuentra su crucifixión, muerte y viendo la luz de Su gloriosa resurrección!

Estamos fortalecidos en nuestra fe para nuestro viaje terrenal hacia el Reino celestial, la Jerusalén celestial, porque es Él quien abre nuestros ojos, y por gracia nos muestra el camino, y en el Espíritu Santo encontramos esta alegría profunda que canta la Pascua Aleluya.

Sí, 'Somos un pueblo de Pascua y el aleluya es nuestra canción' (San Agustín)

Que nuestros corazones sigan ardiendo por Cristo con el fuego del amor, porque Él camina con nosotros, y si aún lo buscas, recordemos "Pero el ángel les dijo a las mujeres: 'No tengan miedo; yo sé que ustedes son buscando a Jesús que fue crucificado. Él no está aquí, porque él ha sido resucitado, como él dijo. Vengan, vean el lugar donde yació. Luego ve rápido y dile a sus discípulos: 'Él ha resucitado de los muertos, y de hecho él va delante de ti a Galilea '...

De hecho, encontramos a Jesús dentro de nosotros mismos, dondequiera que vayamos, en nuestro prójimo, en la paz que creamos, en el amor por su creación, en el amor a los pobres, en el trabajo hacia una sociedad justa, en nuestro sufrimiento, en nuestras alegrías, y en nuestro anhelo de verlo en el Reino eterno de Dios.

¡Les deseo a todos una Pascua Bendita y Feliz! ¡Que el Señor Resucitado brille a través de nosotros y nos guíe mientras nosotros, la Gente de Pascua cantan, Aleluya!

Con mis oraciones y bendiciones apostólicas

tuyo en Cristo

+ Karl

ICEC: Noticias Mundial:

Pacífico Sur: ¡A medida que nuestra Unión de la Iglesia crece, tenemos nuestro primer Seminarista de la Iglesia, Rex en la isla de Vanuatu! ¡Bienvenido!

México: el Obispo Rodolfo tuvo una buena reunión con el Nuncio Apostólico Católico Romano para México hablando sobre nuestra Iglesia.

Asia:

India: ¡el Obispo Suny y sus sacerdotes están trabajando arduamente para difundir las buenas nuevas de nuestra Iglesia con éxito!

Pakistan: Nuestros ministros trabajan duro por los pobres.

Las Filipinas: Obispo Armando y obispo Manuel tienen nuevas misiones y más gente viene!

América Latina:

Costa Rica: Peru: Colombia: Panama: ¡Nuestro Arzobispo y Nuncio Apostólico para América Latina está expandiendo el ICEC más profundamente hacia Centro y Sudamérica con nuestra Presencia en Perú y Colombia expandiéndose!

Brazil: Nuestro lider para Brazil, arzobispo Dom Lucas será la persona de contacto para la reunión internacional de la Reforma de la Iglesia Católica en Brasil este año.

Europa:

Bulgaria: Gracias a nuestro Nuncio Apostólico en Europa, el Arzobispo Hristo en Bulgaria por su compromiso de dialogar con otras iglesias.

Italy:Nuestro Obispo Agostino de Italia tuvo una buena reunión con el movimiento de Reforma Católica Romana, Catholic Church Reform International en Roma.

Ukaraine y Rusia: Nuestros sacerdotes ortodoxos están difundiendo las buenas nuevas y viviendo un verdadero espíritu ecuménico entre la Iglesia Católica Romana, la Iglesia Luterana y las principales Iglesias Ortodoxas.

EE.UU.: Gracias a nuestros incansables miembros del nuevo Seminario en línea, también se transmitirá por radio con un programa de radio.

Por favor a todos ustedes:

Llegue y recomiende a las personas: seminaristas, hombres y mujeres, jóvenes y ancianos, y laicos que tienen interés para conectarse para estudiar asuntos bíblicos o teológicos en el sitio web! ¡Gracias!

Aquí está nuevamente el sitio web del Seminario donde puede ver los diferentes programas de estudio y los contactos necesarios:

http://www.cathedralofstanthonydetroit.org/st-anthonys-cathedral-liturgical-house-of-studies.php

Todavía estamos trabajando en un idioma español para el seminario, ojalá haya más idiomas por venir.

Lent - Cuaresma 2018

Dear 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
+Karl

News:

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 apostolicos
Suyo
+Karl

Noticias:

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.

Hodie, Christus Natus est, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Pax Hominibus bonae voluntatis.

Gloria in Exelsis Deo!

Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Peaceful New Year!

Afrikaans:

Geseënde Kersfees en 'n gelukkige nuwe jaar

Albanian: Gëzuar Krishlindjet Vitin e Ri!

Arabic: ميلاد مجيد

Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Soorp Janunt

Basque: Eguberri eta Urte Berri zoriontsua

Esturian: Bones Navidaes & Gayoleru anu nuevu!

Belgium: Zalige Kertfeest

Bulgaria: Весела Коледа и Честита и благословена Нова година

Catalán: Bon Nadal i feliç any nou!

Chinese: 聖誕快樂，新年快樂

Croatia: Sretan Bozic

Danmark: Glædelig Jul og godt nytår

English: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon & Bonan Novjaron

Estonian: Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi ja Head uut aastat

Finland: Hauskaa JouluaFrance: Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!

France: Joyeux Noël et bonne année

Galic: Nadolig Llawen
Gallego: Bon Nadal e Bo Ani Novo

Georgian: გილოცავთ შობა-ახალ წელს

Germany: Fröhliche und Gesegnete Weihnachten, ein Gesundes und Friedvolles Neues Jahr.

The Netherlands: Hartelijke Kerstroeten

Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou
Hebrew: חג מולד שמח
Hindi: क्रिसमस और नया साल मुबारक हो

Hungary: Kellemes karácsonyi ünnepeket és Boldog újévet!

Greek: Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

Indonesia: Selamat Hari Natal & Selamat Tahun Baru

Irland: (Gaelic)
Nollaig shona duit. Bliain úr faoi shéan is faoi mhaise duit

Italy: Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo

Japan: メリークリスマス

Latin: Pax Hominibus bonae voluntatis
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

Pashto: کریسمس او نوی کال مو نیکمرغه

Philippines: (Tagalog): Maligayang Pasko

Poland: Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia i szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!

Portugal: Boas Festas e um Feliz Ano Novo

Romania: Craciun fericit si un An Nou fericit!

Russian: веселого Рождества и счастливого Нового года s Rozjdyestvom i s Novym Godom!

Samoan: Manuia le Kerisimasi, ma le Tausaga Fou

Serbia: Hristos se rodi

Slowenia: Vesel božič in srečno novo leto

Somalia: ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican.

Spain: Feliz Navidadl! Feliz Año Nuevo!

Que Cristo La Luz del Mundo sea presente in sus corazones por siempre!

Sri Lanka: Subha Nattalak Veva

Swahili: Krismasi nzuri na Mwaka Mpya Mpya na Furaha

Sweden: God Jul och Gott Nytt År

Tahiti: La ora i te Noere e ia ora na i te matahiti 'a

Tamil: Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal

Turkey: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Valencia: Bon Nadal i feliç any nou

Thai - Suk san wan-krit-maat lae sa-wat-dee bpee mai

Turkish - Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun; Yeni Yilnizi Kutar, saadetler dilerim

Ukrainian - Srozhdestvom Kristovym

Vietnamese - Mung Le Giang Sinh. Cung Chuc Tan Nien

Welsh - Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

On this Holy Feast of the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I wish

you, your families, and all who are in your care, a very blessed Celebration, and our best Wishes for a Peaceful, and Healthy New Year!!

We celebrate with deep Joy this solemn Season because we have reflected and meditated throughout Advent the meaning of Christ's entering in our World. Every Year, we are waiting with a deep sense of longing for His coming among us. Christmas is not about having a good time and expecting our material gifts from each other (they are rather just be a little sign of mutual appreciation for each other). Yet, a deeper happening is to celebrate: Christ is born for each one of us to save our lives and to lift up our souls to God! Christ's birth is not a far and past event we remember as we remember our own birthdays..., it is the greatest happening in our humanity, a new beginning in time, a new focus on our salvation history, heaven meets earth, the divine meets us, God declares HIS last and everlasting covenant for us!

That's why this is not just a sweet "jingle bell", but the most serious and eye-opening Gift that God ever has shown for us in History!

God's Love which we never can ever grasp in its entirety, comes to us in the Incarnation of HIS only begotten Son! What joy is this that we cannot describe, what Grace is this that our Souls encounter anew, what care does God show for us so everlasting.

Today's world is driven by greed, injustice, the rise of new dictators, the grab of power by those who want to enrich themselves, and adding more to the rich, governing by deceit -using false pretense of helping the poor; furthermore thinking that the environment -God's creation- can be exploited, adding to the global warming at the cost of the health and safety of future generations; then the abandonment of providing everyone in society access to decent health care; the new oppression of people by fanatics, including a new way of slavery as humans being sold again (like in Libya) on the markets.

The threat of war that is ever more looming through the selfish behavior of leaders who have become blind to the value of the human dignity.

Yes, in this world of ours, the Newborn King is rising above all the daily horror and madness that we facing throughout the world. It is Christ, the Savior, that also has to be born into our hearts and minds in order to live as children of God, and to give witness to the Good News of the Gospel heading His words: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19

And to those who are rich and oppress, exploit, deceit, and live by greed and selfish behavior, these words shall be said:

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets." Luke 6:24-26

"Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have kept good from you. For wicked men are found among my people; they lurk like fowlers lying in wait. They set a trap; they catch men. Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; therefore they have become great and rich; they have grown fat and sleek. They know no bounds in deeds of evil; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy. Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?” Jeremiah 5:25-29

"May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!" PS 72:4

Christmas is about true Love, and the encouraging Hope for Justice that God cares here and now for His people. Christmas is about Course correction of our Lives, turning our hearts back to God, "For God so loved the World that HE gave the only begotten Son, so that everyone believing in Him should not perish, but should have eternal life." John 3:16

May this, our true King, Christ Jesus, born in Bethlehem in a cold and poor stable, and who died as our Savior on the Cross, -condemned by a greedy and power hungry world, be your Lord for ever and ever! Hallelujah!

Thank you all for your service in Christ!

With my Prayers and Apostolic Benedictions,

+Karl

ECCC Church News:

-St. Anthony's Cathedral House of Liturgical Studies.

We welcome the Faculty members of our New Online Seminary, "St. Anthony's Cathedral House of Liturgical Studies"! We thank their tireless leaders, Fr. Tom Roberts, Ph.D., and Director, Sr. Gary A. Staszak, M.A., C.A.S., including all the Faculty members. The Website will be up and running soon.

We also have an advisory board who will be consulters to the House of Studies: so far we have Archbishop Godfrey, Kenya; Archbishop Kimo, USA; Bishop Marc, USA; Vicar General, Fr. Nicholas, Sri Lanka. I hope we can add a few more consulters to advise the Faculty.

The "St Anthony's Cathedral House of Liturgical Studies" is designed to help those who prepare themselves for the ministry around the world in the ECCC, and also from other church denominations. It also gives courses for people from the Laity who would like to advance in their biblical and theological education as teachers, and for private enrichment.

We encourage you all to help those who are interested to be able to enroll in the student programs. At this moment we have the Seminary on line in English, but we hop that we will have it also in Spanish in the near future!

- Ordinations and Incardinations:

-Incardination: Archbishop Tony Scuderi, Ph. D., Fr. Tom Roberts, Ph. D. USA

-The Ordinations of our new Priests of the Archdiocese in Costa Rica, and our diocese in Colombia. Ordination to the Diaconate of Rev. Pedro, Hawaii.

-India: Expansion of pastoral programs in India under the Leadership of Bishop Sunny and his priests!

-Kenya: Expansion of the orphanage and schools in Kenya!

-Pakistan: increase work for the poor.

-The Philippines: Expansion of pastoral services, prayer groups, and construction of a local seminary of formation

-Ukraine: Active Ecumenical dialogue and relations with the Lutheran Church and other denominations.

-Russia: Active Ecumenical relations with other Orthodox Churches.

-Brazil: Completion of the construction of the Cathedral of Dom Lucas, congratulations!

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo:

En esta santa fiesta del nacimiento de Jesucristo, nuestro Salvador, quiero desearles a ustedes, a sus familiares y a todos aquellos bajo su protección y cuidado, una celebración rica en bendiciones. ¡Les deseo lo mejor, paz y salud, en este Año Nuevo!

Después de haber meditado y reflexionado sobre el significado de la entrada de Cristo al mundo, durante el adviento, celebramos con gran alegría esta solemnidad. Todos los años esperamos con grandes ansias su venida gloriosa entre nosotros. La navidad no esperar regalos y pasarla bien (aunque los regalos son signos de nuestro amor fraterno); sino que es celebrar su verdadero sentido: Cristo nace por ti y por mí, para salvar nuestras vidas y elevarnos a Dios. El nacimiento de Cristo no es un evento distante en el pasado, como lo es celebrar nuestros cumpleaños, sino que su nacimiento es el mayor evento que acontece en nuestra humanidad; es un nuevo comienzo en nuestro tiempo; un nuevo enfoque en la historia de la salvación: el cielo y la tierra se encuentran, lo divino se hace uno con nosotros; Dios declara para siempre su último convenio.

Es por eso que no se trata de un lindo “cascabel, cascabel, suena el cascabel”, sino del regalo más sagrado que Dios nos haya mostrado en nuestra historia, que nos abre los ojos a su realidad.

El amor de Dios, que no se puede entender en su totalidad, viene a nosotros en la encarnación de su hijo unigénito. ¡Qué júbilo inefable! ¡Qué gracia tan virgen que nos toca el alma! ¡Qué eterno y tierno cuidado el que nos da Dios!

El mundo de hoy es dominado por la codicia, la injusticia, el avenimiento de nuevos dictadores y el deseo de poder de aquellos que buscan enriquecerse y enriquecer a los ricos. Gobiernan con la mentira y se esconden bajo el pretexto de ayudar a los pobres; en realidad solo saben explotar el medio ambiente, la creación de Dios, y acelerar el calentamiento global; sin importarles la salud y la seguridad de las generaciones futuras. Han abandonado la misión para el cuidado de la salud en nuestra sociedad. Son fanáticos y buscan oprimir al pueblo. Han creado una nueva esclavitud en el mundo: la del ser humano que se vende en el mercado para ganancia de los ricos, como en Libia. La amenaza de la guerra, que se escucha cada día más, es alimentada por el comportamiento de esos líderes egoístas y ciegos que ignoran el valor de la dignidad humana.

Así es este mundo nuestro, donde nace Cristo. El Rey, recién nacido, se eleva por encima de todas esas locuras y circunstancias horribles en las que vivimos. Es Cristo, el salvador, quien tiene que nacer en nuestros corazones y en nuestras mentes, para así convertirnos en hijos de Dios y dar testimonio del anuncio de la buena noticia en la que el evangelio nos dice: “El Espíritu de Dios está sobre mí, porque me ha ungido para proclamar su palabra a los pobres. Él me ha enviado a proclamar libertad a los cautivos, y dar la luz a los ciegos, y dejar libre a los que son oprimidos, y pregonar el año del favor del Señor” (Lucas 4:18-19).

Para aquellos que son ricos y oprimen, explotan, engañan y viven bajo la codicia y el egoísmo, el Señor les dice: “Pero ¡ay de ustedes los ricos, porque ya han recibido su consuelo! ¡Ay de ustedes los que ahora están saciados, porque sabrán lo que es pasar hambre! ¡Ay de ustedes los que ahora ríen, porque sabrán lo que es derramar lágrimas! ¡Ay de ustedes cuando todos los elogien! Dense cuenta de que los antepasados de esta gente trataron así a los falsos profetas" (Lucas 6:24-26).

“Las iniquidades de ustedes les han quitado estos beneficios; sus pecados los han privado de estas bendiciones. Sin duda en mi pueblo hay malvados, que están al acecho como cazadores de aves, que ponen trampas para atrapar a la gente. Como jaulas llenas de pájaros, llenas de engaño están sus casas; por eso se han vuelto poderosos y ricos, gordos y pedantes. Sus obras de maldad no tienen límite: no le hacen justicia al huérfano, para que su causa prospere; ni defienden tampoco el derecho de los menesterosos. ¿Y no los he de castigar por esto? ¿No he de vengarme de semejante nación?-afirma el Señor” (Jeremías 5:25-29).

"El rey hará justicia a los pobres del pueblo y salvará a los necesitados;¡él aplastará a los opresores! (PS 72:4).

La navidad es el amor verdadero que nos anima a esperar en la justicia de Dios quien cuida hoy y siempre de su pueblo. La navidad es también el corregir nuestro rumbo y regresar en nuestros corazones a Dios. "Porque Dios amó tanto al mundo que dio a su hijo unigénito para que todo el que crea en él no se pierda y tenga vida eterna” (Juan 3:16).

¡Qué el verdadero Rey, nuestro señor Jesucristo, nacido en Belén en un establo frío y pobre, y quien murió como nuestro Salvador en la cruz, -condenado por un mundo hambriento de poder y codicia- sea vuestro Señor siempre por toda la eternidad! ¡Aleluya!

Gracias a todos por su Servicio en Cristo!

Con mis oraciones y bendición apostólica,

+Karl

Noticias ICEC

- La Casa de los Estudios Litúrgicos de la Catedral de San Antonio:

Damos la bienvenida a los miembros de la Facultad de nuestro nuevo seminario en línea, "La Casa de los Estudios Litúrgicos de la Catedral de San Antonio! Agradecemos a sus líderes incansables, Padre Tom Roberts, PH. D., el Director, Sr. Gary A. Staszak, M.A., C.A.S.
Director y todos los miembros de la Facultad. El sitio web estará en marcha pronto.

También contamos con una Junta Consultiva que será consultante de la casa de los estudios: hasta ahora tenemos: al Arzobispo Godfrey, Kenia; Arzobispo Kimo, Estados Unidos; Bishop Marc, Estados Unidos; Vicario General, Padre Nicholás, Sri Lanka. Espero que podamos añadir algunos consultantes más para asesorar a la Facultad.

La "Casa de la Catedral de San Antonio de los Estudios Litúrgicos" está diseñada para ayudar a los que se preparan para el Ministerio alrededor del mundo en la ICEC, y también de otras Iglesias. También da cursos para personas de los laicos que desean avanzar en su educación bíblica y teológica como maestros, y para enriquecimiento privado.

Los animamos a todos a ayudar a aquellos que están interesados en poder inscribirse en los programas estudiantiles.

A esto momento es un Seminario enn Ingles. Esperamos que en el futuro tenemos también este Seminario para la idioma en Español!

-ordenaciones e incardinaciones:

-Incardinación: Arzobispo Tony Scuderi, Ph. D., Padre Tom Roberts, PH. D. EE.UU.

-Las ordenaciones de nuestros nuevos diáconos y sacerdotes de la Arquidiócesis en Costa Rica, y nuestra diócesis en Colombia. Ordenación diaconal para Hawai.

-La India: la expansión de los programas pastorales, bajo el liderazgo del obispo y a sus sacerdotes, soleado!

-Kenia: la expansión del orfanato y las escuelas de Kenya!

-Pakistan: la expansión de los programas pastorales.

-Filipinas: la expansión de los programas pastorales en varias areas, y nuevo construcción de un seminario de la formación.

-Ucrania: activa el diálogo ecuménico y en las relaciones con la Iglesia luterana y otras denominaciones.

-Rusia: activo en las relaciones ecuménicas con otras iglesias ortodoxas.

-Brazil: Compleción de la Catedral del Arzobispo Dom Lucas, felicidades!

Ordination of 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!

Prayers for our Synod in Latin America, held in Costa Rica, starting November 17th, A. D. 2017

Easter A. D. 2017

Christus resurexit vere, Hallelujah!

The Peace, Irene, Pace, Paix, Mir, Friede of the risen Lord be with you all

in our worldwide missions of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ!

This year's Paschal celebrations are overshadowed by many evil forces seeking the destruction of the world in which we live, and that can lead inevitably to the annihilation of the human race.

But as Christians we are reminded that the death of Jesus, the Son of God and the Messiah brought salvation to all of humanity, and this is the solemn promise we have to carry on in our faith lives: to live with Jesus in our hearts, no matter what.

We shall not be frightened and succumb to new deceiving world powers who seek their own interests, but abandon the basic principles of humanity: the care and outreach for all in need, the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned, the suffering of millions living in famine, the widespread epidemics of illnesses that plague millions in this world. The threat of new wars, the massacres of so many civilians by brutal and corrupt regimes. The coldness of modern societies that are driven by egocentric and selfish behaviors that live as there is no God, the new wave of destruction of the environment only for the profiteering of a few...

The powerlessness we feel is a sign that our faith needs to hear the message of Christ and that by following him, we are with him in the experience of his agony in Gethsemane, his torture and humiliation under Pilate, the abandonment by his followers, the suffering and dying on the Cross shedding his last drop of blood sealing the salvivic moment once and for all in History...

Therefore we can never avoid to take on our own Cross, seeing in it Christ, and giving our assistance for so many to find HIM.

Yet Salvation is not complete if the brutal experience of HIS death leaves no hope. And this is the difference we see in the light of Faith that we are called to eternal life because of the resurrection of Christ, the Firstborn.

The new and everlasting covenant that Christ sealed for us is once and for all. There will be no other covenant, there is only one life and one resurrection for each one of us.

Let us all live toward this goal of our faith in which God shows us the Love that surpasses all that the eye can see, of which we have heard, and of which our heart is filled with this deep joy that no one ever can take from us.

Let us all live as a Christian people to seek always the best in everyone given into our care, to understand always with the eyes of faith, to see through the darkness of this world toward the Light that Christ is among us, to await the Glory of God that will be given to us one day as we walk in the Holy Spirit eagerly forward.

Let us live as Church families encouraged by the Good News that HE is risen and alive, not only going ahead of us to Galilee, but moving us as a community of faith that will not cease to trust in God, and to do all the good work for all those given into our care.

And let us not be silenced by the evil forces in this world, but to make our voices heard toward injustice, and inequality, for peace, and to resist the forces in society that discriminate and destroy the lives of minority families, to speak up against war, but to support the suffering everywhere...

Be not afraid, God is with us as we love and care for each other!

May we also live more toward reforms in the Church and seek more Unity among the Christian Churches.

Below is letter that was written to Kevin Cardinal Farrell.

I wish you an all your loved ones, a Blessed and Joyous Easter!

With my prayers and love for you all,

+Karl

Official Letter to:

Cardinal Kevin Farrell

Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life

Palazzo San Calisto
00120Vatican City State

Hand-delivered by Sr. Filo Hirota

Your Eminence:

A very Happy St. Paddy’s Day to you! Since writing to you in September of last year (letters enclosed), we’d like to update you on our work and seek a way of collaborating with you and your office. We understand that you’ve hired some 75 people to staff your office and are encouraged by this step taken by you.

We are pleased by Pope Francis choice of you as one of the new Cardinals. We are gratified to know that you share the Holy Father’s pastoral vision for the church and have long pushed for a greater involvement of the laity in the life of the church. With the understanding that your dicastery will “have responsibility for lay associations and movements in the church,” we would like to begin by offering our support for the event you are planning.

We understand that your office will be organizing an international meeting from the 5^th to the 8^th of April of this year on the theme From Krakow to Panama: the Synod journeying with the young. We would like to offer support for this event through online technology thereby facilitating the participation of those who cannot be physically present in Rome. Being a global movement, we see our role as connecting people and events worldwide that support Pope Francis’s vision of a more welcoming, nurturing, inclusive church – whether lay or clergy initiated. By way of example, on the night of April 7 you plan to host a concert by GEN Rosso e Verde in the Sala Sinopoli of the “Parco della Musica” Auditorium in Rome. If your hope is for this to serve as a dialogue between young believers and all their peers, we could extend that dialogue by inviting more young people outside of Rome to participate through our online gathering. If you would be agreeable to allow us to broadcast your presentation online via Zoom technology, we could in turn invite other university students and young people from around the world to see, hear, and, if appropriate, share in the dialogue.

In addition, a questionnaire is anticipated to be released by the Vatican as the first part of the Preparatory Document, “Young People in today’s world” and that a study seminar is planned for the month of September to which specialists will be invited from various countries. Not only do we plan to promote the questionnaire among young people but, if it is true that this meeting will be open to all those who wish to participate, again we could widen the participation by inviting online guests to join in the meeting. These are just two examples of possible ways that we could offer our support to you.

There are some programs being organized by various Conferences of Bishops such as the National Gathering of Base Christian Communities (Intereclesial das Comunidades Eclesiais de Base) in Londrina Brazil in January 2018 and the Plenary Synod in Australia in 2020. We are currently exploring the possibility of increasing the attendance for these by adding online guests who cannot be physically present. One of our team members will be in Rio de Janeiro next week and plans to meet with the staff of Iser Assessoria, the planning office of this event. We understand that this NGO was created at the ISER - Institute for Religious Studies- in 1982 and is dedicated to supporting participative democracy in the political and ecclesial areas of society.

In addition, there are several lay-initiated conferences which we hope to support and add participants through online technology:

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)

But, your Eminence, how much more successful such gatherings could be if your office and our organizations worked in collaboration with one another to promote all events of this kind – whether clergy or lay initiated.

Sr. Filo Hirota, co-director of Catholic Church Reform Int’l, has kindly agreed to hand-deliver this letter to your office. We look forward to hearing back from you and exploring possible ways that we can build the reign of God on earth through our joint effort.

Extending our prayers and support for the success of this newly established Dicastery of the Laity and looking forward to working with you,

Catholic Church Reform International

Kochurani Abraham, Kerala, India

Clyde Christofferson, Virginia, U.S.

Barbara Dreher, CSJ, U.S.

Paul Hwang, Korea

Paschal Kearney CSSp, Australia

Peter Mbuchi Methu, Kenya

Alloys Nyakundi, Kenya

Don Pribor, Mexico and Brazil

Rene Reid, Nevada, U.S.

Michael Redfearn, Canada

Christina Reymer, New Zealand

Virginia Saldanha, India

Ed Schreurs, Netherlands

Nessan Vaughan, Ireland

Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ, International

Eastern Africa Small Christian Communities (SCCs) Training Team, Nairobi, Kenya

Indian Women’s Theological Forum, India

Church Citizen's Voice(CCV), India

Order of Franciscans Ecumenical, U.S.

Global Council Network, International

Tol Ardor, France

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 5th, A. D. 2016
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 500^thAnniversary 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***

October 28th, St. Jude, A. D. 2016

Peace, brothers and sisters in Christ!

We had a meeting with the worldwide Roman Catholic Reform Movement: Catholic Church Reform International.

They wrote that we as a worldwide Church Communion, the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ, have a vital role in the Reform for Rome. They see in our ECCC vital ideas which we have demonstrated and lived for since 1998.

They wrote: "The purpose in having Archbishop + Karl Cathedral of St. Anthony in the meeting today was to connect the ecumenical work and to join their communities with our efforts in bringing about reform in the Roman Catholic Church through the series of Synods of the People."

In our collaborative work with Council 50, the following issues were suggested to be included as agenda topics for the Brasilia Synod of the People:

1. Laity involved in the decision-making of the Church

2. The role of women addressed

3. Equality both men and women in the ministry of the Church

4. Inclusiveness of the LGBT community in the Church

5. Optional Celibacy for priests

6. Ecumenism – the Roman Catholic Church continuing to reach out to other Christian denominations emphasizing what

we share in common

7. Greater autonomy of dioceses to work out their own needs for their community

The People Speak out website for Reforms is now live: www.ThePeopleSpeakOut.org

You are all an inspiration for the struggle we have been through! I urge you to make an effort for the sake of Christ's beloved Church. We have now the opportunity and the blessings to be more involved in an worldwide effort to let the Holy Spirit speak through you, and bring about very needed reforms!

Please have group meetings wherever you are around the world in our ECCC, participate, invite other groups from other Churches as well, and bring your recommendations to improve the Forum and the task for Reforms to this website: www.ThePeopleSpeakOut.org.

This will be vital in order to create the agenda for a series of People's Synods around the World, and the big one in Brasilia in 2018!

We are counting on you all!

Thank you for participating!!

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 whi