May 26, 2024 - "The Universal Synod"

Below I am going to reprint the areas of convergence, matters for consideration, and proposals for the theme of Social Justice and Inclusion.
 
Convergences
· There was a strong desire expressed for more emphasis on Catholic social teaching, especially the Church’s teaching on racial justice; immigration; and affirming the dignity of all lives as inherently worthy (Deaf & Disability Communities; ethnic communities).
· There was a strong desire for the history of enslaved Black Catholics owned by the Catholic Church to be commemorated and shared so other communities know the history of Black Catholics in this local diocese.
· Many lay people asked for a public acknowledgment of past sinful actions of the Church, and for more empathy on the part of the Church for pain caused by racism and by being excluded because of language, disabilities, Deafness, and gender.
· It was noted by many participants that even if history is difficult (racism, enslavement, sexual abuse), we need to acknowledge what happened and talk about it in order for healing to occur.
 
Matters for Consideration
· It was noted that there are inconsistencies in how parishes discuss social justice issues and provide formation on Catholic social teaching. Some parishes focus almost exclusively on life-issues while others focus on Laudato Si’ or immigration. It was noted that there is still work to be done to form people in the consistent ethic of life.
· It remains a challenge in how some cultures, histories, and stories of various cultural communities are shared in the Archdiocese. Some cultural communities feel overlooked by the dominant culture. There is a tension between wanting to move to an intercultural model of ministry while also affirming each cultural community’s gifts.
· While many parishes are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible because of wheelchair ramps, elevators, etc., there remains a challenge of full inclusion for those who are Deaf or Disabled in the parish where their gifts are welcome because of lack of interpretive services or programs that have been adapted.
 
Proposals
· Erection of a monument(s) at parishes that are built on former plantations commemorating those enslaved by the Church.
· Access for Descendants to burial records and sacramental records of their ancestors and in order to do genealogical research.
· Better education and celebration of the history of Black Catholics in the diocese.
· More formation opportunities for inter-cultural encounters and ministries so all the cultures in the Archdiocese can be shared, valued, and promoted.
· Greater access to American Sign Language in parishes, especially parishes that are far in distance from the Archdiocesan Deaf parish, and more support for young people who are Deaf to develop friendships with other young people who are hearing.
 
The report closes with the promise that the Archdiocese of Washington will continue this synodal journey by engaging in listening, communal discernment of the shared priorities articulated in the 2022 Archdiocesan Synod Synthesis Report, and by working together on the concrete steps found in the proposals above. The Archdiocese of Washington will also strive to live out the words of the Synthesis Report to that our “synodal journey is oriented toward the Kingdom, which will be fully accomplished when God is all in all.”
 
Until next week,
Fr. John Dillon