Dear Friends of FutureChurch:
We hope you enjoy our September E-Newsletter
You can share it with others by clicking here.
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Nun Leaders Protest Secrecy of Investigations. FutureChurch's Sr. Chris Schenk just returned from our annual exhibit at the Leadership Conference for Women Religious (LCWR) assembly. The organization, which represents 90 percent of US nuns, issued a media release protesting the "lack of full disclosure about the motivation and funding sources" of a recently announced investigation and "the fact that their orders will not be permitted to see the reports about them that will be submitted to the Vatican." The group also reclaimed their "commitment to the unique and needed role for religious life serving at and speaking from the margins of the Catholic Church." FutureChurch is encouraging people to write church officials and share their positive experiences about the witness of women religious as well as their dismay and confusion over such an investigation. To Write in Support of US Nuns click here For an essay by Sr. Sandra Schneiders: Why they stay(ed) Click here Vatican Oversight New in Church history click here For full text of the LCWR release click here |
Miami To Close Thirteen Parishes: Archdiocesan Financial Practices Questioned.
On Sunday August 16, the Archdiocese of Miami announced it would close 13 of its 128 parishes. Most were minority parishes serving low-income neighborhoods. Archbishop John C. Favalora cited "demographic and economic changes which have happened over the years." Meantime, a Miami church reform group calling itself Spirited Lay Action Movement has been raising concerns about the financial practices of the Archdiocese since 2007 when they publicized discrepancies in the Archdiocesan Vision 2000 financial reports.
For Spirited Lay Action Financial Questions click here
For Miami Herald Story click here
Cleveland's "Endangered Catholics" Stand Tall A group representing 13 Cleveland parishes slated for closure has sent 1000 letters to leaders in suburban parishes asking for support.
For full story click here
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Conference Names, Bridges Gaps for Women of the Word
On June 13th 130 energetic women and men attended FutureChurch's Women and the Word: Bridging the Gap conference at Mount St. Mary College in Los Angeles. Internationally acclaimed biblical scholar, Dr. Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza gave an inspired morning keynote Wo/men of the Word - Reclaiming Our Power of Memory. Her presentation grounded subsequent small group processes and a panel discussion aimed at "naming the gaps" between the practice of Jesus and the first century Church and the practice of the Church today. The groups also brainstormed creative strategies for "bridging the gaps."
Another Women and the Word: Bridging the Gap on November 6 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A special preconference day at Call To Action with a special focus on preaching with a keynote by Sr. Dianne Bergant. Click here for info and to register
For June conference presentations and outcomes click here
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Worldwide Magdala Celebrations Honor Women in Ministry with Paul In mid-July, 250 celebrations across the US and eight other countries honored Mary of Magdala, Phoebe, Prisca, Lydia and other little known women leaders who ministered with St. Paul. Twenty-one celebrations were held internationally in Australia (7), Canada (7), England (1), Germany (1), Italy (1), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (1), and Uganda (2).
To view photos and descriptions or upload your photos (takes a moment to load) click here |
Is the New English Version of the Mass a Betrayal of Vatican II?
A new pamphlet And Also With You by Australian theologian Paul Collins contends the new translation of the Roman Missal "is incomprehensible and convoluted... a mish-mash, a pseudo-sacred English that reeks of Latinisms.." Worse, according to Collins, it abandons Vatican II teachings on consulting the laity, collegiality of bishops and religious freedom. Meanwhile, the US bishops conference has launched a website to educate about missal translations.
To download Collins' pamphlet, click here
For more info on USCCB website , click here ,
And Here
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Vatican official downplays reports of major liturgical reforms.
On August 25, Catholic News Service reported that Vatican spokesman Father Ciro Benedettini, downplayed concerns that major liturgical reforms are being considered by Pope Benedict XVI. Benedettini responded to a report that a document with proposed liturgical modifications, including a curb on the practice of receiving Communion in the hand, had been sent to the pope last April by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.
To read more click here |
Optional Celibacy Initiative off to Great Start
"Optional Celibacy: So All Can Be at the Table" is off to a roaring start. Nearly 2, 000 paper and electronic postcards have already been ordered and/or sent to Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Prefect for the Congregation for the Clergy in Rome. Over thirty people have ordered education/advocacy resources to begin educational programs and prayer experiences, and an additional 1,000 postcards have been ordered and sent to local bishops in the U.S.
Send an electronic postcard (or order paper postcards) to Cardinal Hummes and Your Bishop
Download your free Optional Celibacy Education/Prayer Kit (Everything you need to encourage people in your parish or small faith community to become educated, prayerful and active about this important issue)
Learn More About the Project |
