by Gemma Lamarra

‘Pope’s reform process has already changed our Church’ reported Independent Catholic News on 22 October - you can read it here.

I believe this is the case, not just because of the changes outlined in the article, but also because of the way many lay people responded to Pope Frances’s invitation to engage in the synodal process of walking together, listening and widening the space of our tent.  Their voices inspired the Spirit Unbounded lay led synodal assembly in Rome.  Entitled Human Rights in the Emerging Catholic Church, it took place a stone’s throw from the Vatican where the Synod of Bishops was meeting.  Of course, not everyone was in agreement with everything that was said, but in the spirit of synodality, all were welcome, included, uncensored and listened to respectfully.  https://www.spiritunbounded.org/

Spirit Unbounded is a global network of Catholic reform and other Christian and ecumenical groups which embrace diversity and seek to include marginalised groups in the Church.

Gemma Lamarra is a retired teacher and core member of the Scottish Laity Network.