Catholics Seek Consultation, Dialogue
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is meeting this week (Nov. 11-13, 2013) to discuss issues important to Catholics. As they do, progressive Catholic organizations renew their call for consultation and dialogue.
Catholic Organizations Launch Survey to Collect Lay Input
Several Catholic organizations have launched an on-online survey to enable U.S. Catholics to provide input to the U.S. Conference of Catholics and the Vatican in preparation for an upcoming Synod on the family Oct. 5-19, 2014. The survey, which closely follows the questions asked by the Vatican, will be available for response through December 15, 2013. Responses will be compiled and sent to the U.S. Bishops and Vatican officials.
"U.S. Catholics have been happily surprised that the Vatican is seeking input on issues like divorce and remarriage, use of contraception, same-sex marriage, and what kind of pastoral practice is effective and appropriate. They have been disappointed that there was not a vehicle for them to give their input. That’s why we created this on-line survey. Lay Catholics have strong feelings and a great deal of experience on these matters. Our voices, along with those of our bishops, need to be heard.”
Take the on-line survey and give your feedback (English)
Take the on-line survey and give your feedback (Spanish)
English printable copy of surveySpanish printable copy of survey
LGBT Coalition Encourages New Dialogue with Bishops
Equally Blessed, a coalition of four Catholic groups, including Call To Action, has drafted a letter calling on U.S. Bishops to dialogue on issues important to LGBT Catholics.
"At this pivotal moment in the life of our church, we, the leaders of the Equally Blessed coalition, invite you into a deeper relationship with LGBT Catholics, their families and their friends. We seek, first of all, simple conversation with you. Rather than speaking about LGBT people, or, worse yet, against LGBT people, we urge you to sit down and speak with LGBT people. We ask you to convene local and national conversations in which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics, their families and their friends can tell you about their faith and their commitment to the Church."
Click here to read letter to U.S. Bishops
Call To Action will continue to work closely with both of these groups to give lay Catholics greater voice in their church and encourage pastoral responses to the LGBT community.Both of these groups will have representatives in Baltimore giving press conferences and answering questions from the media. For up-to-date information be sure to check Call To Action’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.It is because we love our church that change is necessary. Transformation is afoot!
