What’s happening at the Vatican

October 14, 2023

This second day opened with Steve and Shawna Newcomb speaking about the Doctrine of Discovery/Domination and the injustices done to the indigenous communities so many but especially by governments and the Catholic Church.

Jamie Manson spoke about “Who and What are missing from the Synod, and why.” As a gay woman, she addressed the continued injustices to the LGBTQ+ community and people’s fears and uncertainties about them.

I sat with Miriam Duignan who is facilitating the Rome portion of this event and Susie Middelboe, serving as photographer here. She is the daughter of Penelope’s husband. As many of you know, Penelope is one of the core team members in Bristol who helped put Spirit Unbounded together. Miriam and I discussed what next? How we keep everyone involved in the Synodal process through the end of this month and beyond through the next Synod in 2024. We hope that people everyone will be curious and want to stay involved in the continuation of the Synod as it returns back to each diocese throughout the world.

.After lunch, I spent some precious time privately with Joan Chittister. After working together from a distance over the past decade, it was comforting to have time to just be with her. We touched on many issues including what each of us can do to foster this synodal process – especially in places where there is resistance/denial from the bishops. Joan’s suggestion was that each of us sit down with family members and/or a few friends and begin discussing what has come out of this Synod and what each of us can do to insist that synodality become part of our diocese, parish, or small communities. I intend to do this in my community when I return home and hope each of you will consider doing the same. Joan was leaving the next day to board a river cruise for ten days where she would be holding workshops on mysticism. How I’d love to be on that cruise with her.

I missed the event with Tom Doyle while I was with Joan. He spoke about the “Sexual violation of children – the wound that will not heal.”

The presentation by Martha Heizer, co-founder of We Are Church Int’l, was entitled “We’ve already won!” After sharing several stories of Catholics who were given terrible advice regarding the morality related to abortions and/or sexuality, she has come to this conclusion: Just love and do what you want – what you know is right for you. We don’t need clerical direction. Sometimes it can even be dangerous to listen to it.

Next a press conference was held with questions directed to Joan and Mary. 

Will Synod delegates know about this Spirit Unbounded people-led Synod? “Absolutely, they will know,” Joan responded. “If a group of soldiers come with nuclear gear in their pockets, will those inside know?” Many of the reformers stayed at Casa Bonus Pastor as did many of the delegates. They saw and heard the members.  

What do you think of the imposed papal secrecy of the Synod at a time when people are demanding openness? “Where has it gotten us in the past?” Mary asked. “Nowhere. This secrecy is unhealthy. Joan added: “The “secrecy” is based on fear – protecting themselves. It is a control move. At the same time,” she said with some understanding of it, “they need time to become comfortable with one another.”

“The program says this synod is ‘in support of Pope Francis,” a reporter from America magazine asked. “And yet many comments have been opposed to how Francis is running the Synod.” Mary quickly responded: “Synodality has been presented as an event. But we also see it as a process.” She indicated that we are supportive of the Synod but “we are here to keep them honest.” Joan added: “As a body, our bishops in the U.S is quite resistant to Francis and the synod. We, on the other hand, are strongly in support of it.”

There is a new newspaper out that you many want to follow called “Synodal Times.” Their reporter asked: “Francis appears to give with one hand and take back with the other. He is a paradigm, an enigma, to us. What does he really want?” Mary described Francis as a populist. Her example: “Who am I to judge?” he’d responded when asked if atheists could go to heaven. He knows how to tell people what they want to hear. He presented the likelihood that if they’re good people who live good lives, why not? But the paradigm is, still as pope, that he has the power to rule on such issues and does not. Mary added: “He drives me mad.” Joan described our pope as “a spiritual tease. He dangles an idea that could be considered. But it’s okay. What he does is not destructive.”

Miriam pointed out to them that many see Joan and Mary as activists. Would they agree with this? Mary replied: “It would be nice if we could just quietly write the pope and make our requests. But this doesn’t work. What works is masses of voices speaking out.” This is how women now have a place in the Synod with full voting rights.

Joan has said that “women must be accepted as permanent deacons.” Why? Joan indicated that women had served in this role in the early church. So “it is a restoration, not a gift being granted.”

Miriam asked: “Do you think that women talking about their experience of abortion more openly is being made acceptable by Francis?” Joan said: “When a woman has had an abortion, it often becomes her obsession and identity.” Francis has given these women permission to let that part of their life go, to feel forgiven, and move on beyond it.

The final question from Miriam: “If you had one message to the 53 women sitting in the synod hall, what would it be?” Joan’s answer to them and to all of us: “Don’t shut up!” Mary added: “Let them have it.” I interpreted their message is that silence gets us nowhere and is a form of consensus with what’s happening. We all need to make our voices heard, even to those who don’t want to hear what we have to say.

Following this formal press conference, some general discussion followed. 

Someone asked: “In canon law, couldn’t a bishop validly ordain a women and then the ball would get rolling?” Mary responded: “No. Canon law is very clear about this.” An example was given by someone in the audience of a man who was ordained and had a sex change. He asked to continue his/her role as priest and was told NO by Rome on the basis that he no longer had “male matter.” Hmmm.

In your opinion, you both seem to feel that everyone here can play a part in transforming our church. Indicating that some ridiculous things have been said in the name of the Church, Joan suggested: “Go to your historical information in the 14th – 15th centuries, debating whether Indians really had souls. We must create subgroups ourselves to invite discussion. Why do men have breasts? Since there is no useful purpose, there is no answer, which means there is no real question.” Mary added: “Keep the pressure on. There are people on that other side who are listening.” 

“What should we do between this synod and the next in 2024?” someone asked. “How do we know something is actually happening?” Joan replied: “It’s like grass coming through cement. It eventually comes through. Just don’t give up. Keep pushing upward.” This Spirit Unbounded Synod is about discipleship and how we become better disciples. “Real discipleship,” Joan said, “must keep going, keep bring others in. We can’t just sit there waiting for something good to happen.” Speaking of the Synod leaders, Mary added: “If silence prevailed among them, it would be overly disrespectful not to be open with of us as to what did come through the synod and what more is being done. This synod is our lives, our Church, our faith!”

“How do we expand this conversation to include those who don’t agree with us?” someone asked. Joan said: “The early people didn’t accept all the Apostles. We are today’s disciples. It is time for us to behave like this and gather others together. Don’t be afraid to keep trying to change the Church. Don’t give up hope. Sharing stories melt hearts.”

Joan closed this synodal gathering with a prayer.

In closing, I can only say how important this experience has been, and how glad I am to have been here to share it with so many other committed reformers.

Kathleen and I had dinner in the evening with Filo Hirota who is serving on the organizing committee for the Synod. She explained that she is in the Synod every day helping organize the people and is there when the summaries are being given from each group. I asked Filo her take on this Synod from hearing those reports. She said she feels it’s definitely moving in the right direction but there is diversity. The reports also reflect the differences in opinions. Overall, good things are happening. The Spirit is at work. We are advancing but we aren’t there yet. 

She said there will be a report that can be viewed publicly on the outcome of this Synod. The areas not agreed-upon or in discussion will be highlighted as something to be worked throughout the next year and hopefully will find some consensus at the Synod in Rome, October 2024.

It’s still not too late to hear Mary McAleese and Joan Chittister along with more than a hundred additional presentations. Just join virtually in the Spirit Unbounded events 

Purchase now by clicking on https://www.gr8events.ie/sales/index.php?event=1361.

All of us working with Root & Branch are thrilled that Dr. Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland and Canon Lawyer, Benedictine Sr. Joan Chittister, one of the world’s foremost spiritual speakers and writers, and Steven Newcomb, Shawnee-Lenape author of ‘Pagans in the Promised Land’ and scholar of the Doctrine of Discovery/Domination will headline live for us in Rome and Bristol.

SR JOAN CHITTISTER

Sr Joan Chittister, OSB, is one of the most influential religious and social leaders of our time. For over 50 years she has passionately advocated on behalf of peace, human rights, women’s issues, and monastic and church renewal.

A Benedictine sister of Erie Pennsylvania, she is an international lecturer and award-winning author of 60 books. An articulate social analyst and influential religious leader, she is courageous, passionate, and a much sought-after speaker, commentator, counsellor and clear voice across all religions.

DR MARY MCALEESE

Dr Mary McAleese was two term President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. The theme of her presidency was Building Bridges and working for peace and reconciliation. She is a leading critic of Catholic Church teaching on among other things, women, homosexuality, Church members’ human rights, children’s rights, corporal punishment, church governance and episcopal accountability. Broadcaster and academic lawyer, she has a licentiate and doctorate in Canon Law.

STEVEN NEWCOMB

Steven T. Newcomb (Shawnee, Lenape) is a scholar, educator, author and film producer focusing on inter-generational trauma, cultural survival. Newcomb is co-founder and director of the Indigenous Law Institute and director of Original Nations Advocates. He is internationally recognized for his more than three decades of research and writing on the Vatican papal bulls of the fifteenth century. His primary focus is the theological doctrine now commonly known as the Doctrine of Christian Discovery and Domination.

To watch the trailer, click on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WLbhk9OjMk.

By purchasing virtual tickets, you will have access to hear 115 presentations of reform leaders from around the globe: https://spiritunbounded.org/voices. 

And these will be accessible to you forever. It is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. 

Purchase now by clicking on https://www.gr8events.ie/sales/index.php?event=1361.

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When you make a donation to support our cause, you join with others who are investing in restoring our Church to what Jesus intended. If you are part of the movement to stop contributing to your local parish and/or diocese, you may want to take advantage of the end-of-year tax deductions by contributing to CCRI in its stead. The dollars we receive are used to run our programs and to reach a broad spectrum of the People of God. We are focused on reaching out to the Faithful, reform activists, young adults as well as those who feel abandoned by the Church, to mention just a few. Your personal contributions in offering your suggestions and your donations are most appreciated.

Let’s all do our part to be a synodal Church to stay abreast of what is happening with each stage of the Synod from now through 2024. Becoming a synodal Church will only happen if we stay involved in the process.

Rene Reid

CCRI director