The People Speak Out

Local voices connecting globally

This is important: to get to know people, listen, expand the circle of ideas. The world is crisscrossed by roads that come closer together and move apart, but the important thing is that they lead towards the Good. (Pope Francis)

Canon Law 212 calls upon the laity to speak up:

2 - The Christian faithful are free to make known to the pastors of the Church their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires.

§3. - According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons.

Synodal Report from: Synodality in Central Illinois

Published: 23 June 2022

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops Via della Conciliazione 34, Vatican City

Dear Secretary General,

Mindful that, “much of the richness of this listening phase will come from discussions among parishes, lay movements, schools and universities, religious congregations, neighbourhood Christian communities, social action, ecumenical and inter-religious movements, and other groups,¹” we are one of those other groups named Synodality in Central Illinois who met for four listening and sharing sessions through March and April of this year. It is with great hope and joy, faith and devotion to our beloved church that we share this report.