3 Wishes for Bishops Meeting
Today, Monday, November 16, is the first day of the Bishops' Annual Fall Assembly. The USCCB (United States Council of Catholic Bishops) is gathering in Baltimore for three days of speeches, conversations, and meetings from which there will surely be statements to educate and catechize the US Catholics. Unfortunately, it seems the Bishops choose topics that aren't really relevant to the average Catholic and his/her concerns. Just in case the Bishops are not sure what direction to take, we thought we would share what the important issues we hear from our members and supporters. So here are three ideas that Call To Action wishes the Bishops would include in their meeting:
LGBTQI listening & understanding sessions. Despite the possibility of being fired from their jobs, being treated like sinners, and enduring other persecution from the Church hierarchy, LBGTQI people still choose be themselves and to marry the person they love. They refuse to hide their light under a bushel. Why do they stand with such courage? Perhaps listening to their stories of faith and commitment in the face of adversity is a place to start.
Collaboration and dialogue with women who feel called to priestly roles in the Catholic Church. Again, hundreds of ordained women across the US are living with the consequences of being excommunicated rather than ignore the calling they have received from the Holy Spirit. While there may be a shortage of male, celebrate Roman Catholic priests, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of vocations.
Find opportunities to stand in solidarity with the blacklivesmatter movement and cultivate racial justice. Someone looking at the Church from 'outside' might think racial justice is easy and without controversy. Clearly, people of every heritage and skin color are created in God's image. Alas racial justice keeps on being forgotten on the Bishops' agenda - and continues to pervade the systemic and social structures of our Church and world.
In a couple of days, we will all see how the Bishops used their time. In the meantime, let us use our time wisely and pray that the Holy Spirit dances down the isles and moves the hearts of Bishops to help us create a more inclusive, a more just Church.
