The Synodal Process: Ten concrete initiatives we would like to see

Dear Bishops,

The Final Document of the Synod on Synodality allows different decisions to be reached in different places.  This represents unity in diversity. After 4 years of listening and dialogue and prayer it is past time for concrete initiatives to be taken with all the baptised for reform of structures and institutions. This is a crucial point in the entire process: Without concrete changes in the short term, the vision of a synodal Church will not be credible. Pope Leo XlV has endorsed Pope Francis’ synodal process for which appropriate decision making and decision taking processes need to be developed at all levels.

We call on you to support appropriate and concrete initiatives in our dioceses, including:

1.  Competent Women and Men preaching and leading parishes.
2. Lay led liturgies with communion
3. Co-operation, mutual attendance and Eucharistic hospitality at services in other Christian churches
4. Majority voting on Parish & Diocesan Pastoral Councils and Minutes published online
5. Annual publication of Financial Reports
6. Ordination of Women Deacons
7. Ad Limina Reports published online
8. Diocesan Pastoral Councils recommending Nominations as Bishops
9. Fair financial support and professional guidance for those affected by sexualised abuse in the church
10. Pastoral care for LGBTQ+ people in every parish.

We Are Church International will support such concrete initiatives.

With synodal blessings,

Colm Holmes, Chair, We Are Church International
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +353 86606 3636

Dr Martha Heizer, Vice-Chair, We Are Church International
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Phone: +43 650 4168500

Dear Joint CEC-CCEE Working Group for the Charta Oecumenica,

Dear Conference of European Churches (CEC),

Dear Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE),

The international movement We Are Church, founded in Rome in 1996, is committed to the renewal of the Roman Catholic Church on the basis of the Second Vatican Council and the theological spirit developed from it.

Last September we joined your call for the revision of the Charta Oecumenica, a document of fundamental importance for the European Churches, and we sent you two documents containing numerous amendments to the new draft that you made public.

We had been eagerly awaiting the presentation of the revised Charta Oecumenica on 26-27 April 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania, and we are very sorry that the event had to be postponed due to the death of Pope Francis.

While waiting for you to announce the new date for the presentation, we take the liberty, in sibling spirit, to ask that this be a public event, open to believers of all Churches, and not by invitation only.

We remember well that in 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the Charta Oecumenica, a fourth European Ecumenical Assembly was announced for 2026, the 25th anniversary of the Charta Oecumenica.

We were very surprised that this convocation was no longer mentioned, and that the revised version of the Charta Oecumenica no longer refers to the European Ecumenical Assemblies. Why?

We believe that the three European Ecumenical Assemblies in Basel, Graz and Sibiu have played a very important role in raising ecumenical awareness in our Churches, and we are convinced that more “ecumenism of the people” is needed: an ecumenism too focused on Church leaders is insufficient.

For this reason we ask that the presentation of the new Charta Oecumenica be an ecumenical celebration, to which you warmly invite all members of our European Churches.

And we call for a return to the planning of an upcoming European Ecumenical Assembly: 18 years after the last one, with the challenges and divisions tearing Europe apart, we feel it urgent to reconvene the believers of our Churches, to deepen the faith that unites us and to continue the ecumenical process of justice, peace and integrity of creation as an evangelical vocation at the service of Europe and the world.

A greeting of peace,

Colm Holmes, Chair We Are Church International
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr Martha Heizer, Vice-Chair We Are Church International
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

International Coordinating team: Valerie Stroud (England & Wales), Mary Morrissey (Ireland), Jean-Pierre Schmitz (France), Ashik Naz Khokhar (Pakistan), Christiane Bascou (France), Martin Schockenhoff (Germany), Kathleen Gibbons Schuck (USA), Gemma Lamarra (Scotland), Elza Ferrario (Italy), Virginia Saldanha (India)

We Are Church International congratulate Pope Leo XlV on his inauguration as successor to Pope Francis on 18 May 2025! We share Pope Leo’s message for our world of peace and justice for those living in poverty and suffering in wars, as well as care for our environment.

We Are Church welcomes the fact that Pope Leo immediately promised to continue the synodal reform process initiated by Pope Francis on the basis of the Second Vatican Council. The 2023 and 2024 World Synods have made it very clear how great the need for reform within the Church is in order to make our faith community credible and missionary again. This includes, among other things:

· Shared Decision Taking at all levels: Parish, Diocese and Synod

· Equality for Women, LGBTQ+ and Married people in ordained ministries

· Zero tolerance for sexual abuse in the appointment of bishops

· Respect unity in diversity in different cultures

We very much hope that with Pope Leo and with the support of the Roman Curia and the cardinals who elected him by a large majority, it will now be possible to tackle these globally discussed issues in a synodal manner at all levels. Expectations for concrete results by the 2028 global church assembly are high.

In the current global political climate, we welcome Pope Leo's commitment to freedom of the press. This should then also apply to theology and a liberal rethinking of traditional theological doctrine so that theology does not lose touch with the world.

We are Church International and its national members worldwide are willing to support Pope Leo XlV in prayer and in action on this path.

Press contacts:

Colm Holmes,
Chair We are Church International
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +353 86606 3636

Dr Martha Heizer,
Vice-Chair We are Church International
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: +43 650 4168500

International Coordinating team:

Valerie Stroud (England & Wales), Mary Morrissey (Ireland), Jean-Pierre Schmitz (France), Ashik Naz Khokhar (Pakistan), Christiane Bascou (France), Martin Schockenhoff (Germany), Kathleen Gibbons Schuck (USA), Gemma Lamarra (Scotland), Elza Ferrario (Italy), Virginia Saldanha (India)

An Indigenous Reflection on Pope Leo XIV

We welcome the wonderful news of our new Pope Leo XIV and look forward to continuing the synodal journey under his leadership and guidance. Please join us in prayer for him as he begins his new journey in leading our Church forward.

Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

Faithful God, You guide us on the path of life
and your goodness is our constant companion.

Be with Pope Leo XIV, in his service of the Church.
Fill him with the power of your Spirit,
the peace of your presence
and the compassion of Christ.

May he walk with you,
in his wisdom and humility,
and lead us, together with all God's people,
to embody your love for the world.

Amen