Root & Branch Synod: Bristol Text
From Root & Branch Synod:
The Bristol Text to Reform is a document that embodies some of the discoveries we have made in our journey of discernment. It exists both in a readily accessible and in more complex, learned forms.
It is intended to give ordinary Catholics the reassurance that there are changes we can make in our practice that are in keeping with the best of Catholic tradition and have the endorsement of deep, pastorally sensitive and well-informed thinkers and theologians, including some who are clergy.
It also offers practical and often challenging visions for the Church, calling it to be Christ-like in its structures, its thinking and its practice. It is offered in the spirit of Canon Law 212.3,
‘the Christian faithful have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters that obtain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known.’
It is a statement of fundamental principles, not an exhaustive wish-list of matters that need addressing.
Link to text:
Root & Branch Synod: Bristol Text.
A good recent interview with one of the organisers, Mary Ring on BBC. (There is Irish as well as international inputs in the Synod and in the Text).
https://youtu.be/xNqe95hkEu8
The Root & Branch Synod is an ongoing process which could provide inspiration for Catholics & others to engage in a synodal process for speaking, listening, discerning, communicating, without being dependent on hierarchical initiative which may be absent or restrictive.