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NEW SHOOTS
newsletter
ROOT & BRANCH
international grassroots forum for an inclusive, just & safe Church.
hello@rootandbranchsynod.org
No. 69 26th Aug, 2022
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Our sisters
arrested yesterday
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Last Saturday, Pope Francis ordained 20 new Cardinals. Yesterday 197 men gathered with him.
But zero women. Ironically, zero women even to dialogue with the new cardinals about the new Constitution that allows women to head dicasteries.
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The Vatican took exception to our 7 sisters, though some of the cardinals walking past offered support - one gave @MiriamTDuignan a heartfelt "Brava!"
The police kettled them for an hour, and then arrested all 7.
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"Detention was hard," said our very own R&B Rhiannon Parry Thompson, "standing in a hot, unventilated police station corridor for several hours with Benedict and Francis staring at us from the walls.
"Sadly, after the arrest, one Cardinal when asked if women had been discussed during the morning's meeting, said, very firmly, 'No'. But the earlier, spontaneous 'Brava' was fabulous and something to remember.
"It was hard to say what exactly we were arrested for. Possibly for not having a permit to protest. The seven parasols were taken from us as evidence."
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However, their final release was rather more risky. "What each of us had to sign in the end is quite an intimidating document," said Kate McElwee, Executive Director of WOC. "It details a criminal law procedure and how it might escalate, pending an investigation. I had hoped I adequately prepared the group for the possibility of detainment, but this was beyond even my expectations."
Read Christopher White's full report in NCR here, another in Religion News Service here, and on WOC here. To salute the 7 protesters' courage and support their costs, please click here.
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NEXT DIY ZOOM
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Wed 7th Sept,
20.00 London time
Have your say...
come and join us to pray together and to share time
listening to each other. How do we create a
just, safe and inclusive Church?
We've missed you - looking forward to seeing you again!
https://www.rootandbranchsynod.org/diy
Click here to join
19.50 London time, 7th Sept.
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SYNOD WATCH
You saw the England & Wales
National Synthesis Document,
drawn from our 22 Diocesan Synodal Reports?
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Head over to the Tablet - click below -
for Sarah MacDonald's report on Root & Branch's considered view.
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According to our R&B spokesperson, Penelope Middelboe, our R&B analysis has identified “some glaring discrepancies” between the content of the diocesan reports and the national synthesis. The synthesis, as Penelope points out, is “much less vocal on reform”. However, she acknowledges that it is “more radical than we expected”.
What's your view?
Click on the image above for your link.
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SEASON OF CREATION
1st Sept - 4th Oct
just time to join in this wonderful programme
from our friends at
Scottish Laity Network
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There's just time to Register for the first talk,
Our Common Home - Privilege and Responsibility
Companion - Nellie McLaughlin
and for all the talks. |
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SALISBURY
Our Core R&B team came from across the UK earlier this month to pray, share and plan, in this beautiful city. How blessed are we!
Watch this space!
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Follow us on Twitter @RootBranchSynod
where there's a growing community
of loving Christians
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We at Root & Branch are all volunteers.
Please donate on-site if you'd like to help with our significant costs.
and
Thank you to all who already help us in this way!
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