Church from the bottom up

During synodal discussions, it became clear that bishops feel called to perform special tasks in the church using their own talents, knowledge and skills but without supernatural authorisation or sanctifying powers. Especially that said limitation affects the position of all believers and the structure of the whole church.

 

Clearly, all believers have a right to speak in their own community and all are equally called to put the Gospel into practice , each in  a different way.

Pope Francis wishes to take equal rights into account but, in addition, he wants to preserve the traditional mutual bond of bishops. In that plan, he sees no place for seminarists who woud think to get  elevated above other believers by being ordinated.

 

He thinks of the church as a field hospital for those in need.

 

According to him, the church could be rebuilt from the bottom up, somewhat in line with tradition.

 

Topics for study and dialogue

 

1. Church from the bottom up

2. Choosing a deacon pastor

3. Task of a deacon pastor

4. Electing a bishop

5. Task of a bishop

6. Field hospital

 

From the bottom up

The Catholic Church consists of communities of those who, in the spirit of Jesus Christ, strive for justice and care for each other and especially for those in need.

 

Occasinally all members of such a community will be asked to approve the appointing of a man or a woman as a parttime deacon pastor for coaching  activities of volunteers, for regular reporting of relief work, for furnishing and leading community meetings and for representing the community.

 

The deacon pastors of a particular circle or region in turn choose a suitable man or woman as deacon bishop for evaluating reports of deacon pastors and exchanging ideas, for training deacon pastors, for coordinating diocesan relief projects and for running a relief addresses to which deacon pastors can refer poor people for free expert advice.

 

A deacon bishop can join the ranks of Catholic bishops by having some sitting bishops express their agreement with the choice made by deacon pastors.

 

Vision of ffaithful 30-11-2024