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An African package for church reform emerges at Synod
by John L Allen Jr on Oct. 08, 2009
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Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF versionBy JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
Rome
Generally speaking, Catholic debate outside of Europe and the United States is usually distinguished by its ad extra orientation, meaning that the focus is not so much insider Catholic baseball but rather the burning challenges of the broader society, and how the Catholic church can be an agent for change.
What seems to be emerging at the Oct. 4-25 Synod for Africa, however, is a conviction that for the Catholic church to be helpful in Africa ad extra, it first has some ad intra business to resolve.
Read the full story here: African bishops examine 'practice of power, authority'
The Catholic Church has to be
The Catholic Church has to be a major agent for change or it will continue to shrink in attendance. Insterad of blaming the people who no longer attend church we (laity and clergy) need to seriously ask the question: "What are we not doing that is so needed? Or: "What have we done that has contributed to such prob lems. Once we have done that people will want to participate in such an alive and meaningful Christian Community.
Pax,
J.Patrick O'Connor
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