Synod group lists responses to cries of the poor, the Earth

While there are an estimated 700 million people around the world who live in extreme poverty, the study group, headed by Australian Catholic University senior lecturer in theology Dr Sandie Cornish, identified many other forms of poverty.

The group members were mostly women, and it brought together clergy, lay experts, theologians and pastoral practitioners from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, North America and Oceania.

Among the recommendations contained in the report, published on March 24, were encouragement of use of the Mass for the Care of Creation during the Season of Creation.

The report also called for representation of vulnerable groups, women and those from territories affected by climate change and conflict on participatory bodies.

Other recommendations included the establishment of regional or international structures for listening to indigenous peoples, monitoring caste-based discrimination and creating an “Ecclesial Observatory on Disability”, with adaptation of this model locally.

The report advocated for formation in Catholic Social Teaching of those engaged in social ministry, advocacy, conflict resolution and alliance-building. Integrated responses to the cries of the poor and of the Earth, using expertise and multi-level networking, were seen as necessary.

Prioritising direct encounters with people made poor and vulnerable, and ensuring a diversity of voices such as women, children, indigenous communities and creation itself are heard, was called for, as was access to theological education for lay people, especially women.

The report also recommended the appointment of theologians from “poor, marginalised or underrepresented communities to advisory bodies across all levels of the Church”.

A Synod study group looking at the issue of polygamy also released its report on March 24. This group was composed of members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. It noted pastoral approaches taken on the issue in Africa, but stated that the Church cannot baptise men in polygamous unions.

FULL STORY

Report highlights new ways to listen to poor (ACBC Media Blog)

Polygamy study group urges ‘genuine conversion’ before baptism (The Pillar)