... aqui e agora

Address to the European Synodal Assembly – Prague Feb 5^th-9^th

Josianne Gauthier, Secretary General of CIDSE ("Coopération Internationale pour le Développement et la Solidarité" - https://www.cidse.org/ )

“I am here to represent CIDSE – the international family of 18 Catholic Social Justice and Global Solidarity organisations in Europe and North America – and I am deeply grateful to participate in these discussions as a guest and to support the process in whatever way I can.

Our friend from Ireland invited us to get out of our heads and into our hearts. And so, I wish to dedicate this input to my mother. She is my example, a woman in the Church, who transmitted her faith and her commitment to social justice to us all. There was always room for one more person at her table, and in her tent. She taught me about ecumenism, and intercultural dialogue and about patience, about respect for the planet and compassion for those who do not agree with us. She also taught me never to hold back if I had something to contribute, and to not be afraid to share my gifts but also to always stand up for what is just and to stand with those who are thrown aside. I am here today because of what she taught me and I owe her everything.

But I am also here because I represent a network of organisations who wish to see this Church flourish and stand up for what is right and just in the world. I have been very touched by the witness of the national reports. This is an important time for the Global Church and our future but this Church in Europe needs to courageously and humbly take a step forward and be a new kind of light in the world. We are speaking here from a relative position of historical power and privilege and wealth, accustomed in the past to being listened to, to leading and teaching and bringing their knowledge to ‘new worlds’. Times have changed. The light of the Church is shining brighter on other shores, on other continents, and we must celebrate this… and allow ourselves to be transformed... Our Church needs to be… credible in the world as we face multiple interconnected and complex crises of our own human making. We must not only listen to but also lift up the voices of the marginalized, speaking and acting with integrity and courage and propose another way of life in a world that is desperate for community, connection, justice, solidarity.

We have not yet heard many inputs about the Church’s role in the world, to promote social and ecological justice, to speak against our violent and destructive behavior, and yet this needs to be said because it is an integral part of our faith and our responsibility towards Creation and towards one another. We are very preoccupied at the moment by the inner dynamics and this is normal. But beyond how we decide to organise or structure ourselves as a Church, let us remember that our children are watching us and expect us to do better.

May these days here be the first courageous steps towards this transformation and healing of broken relationships. May we walk together on this path that is not just about saving… the Church but about also about saving and renewing life on this planet in all its beauty and diversity…

Let us be guided by love, humility, and justice, and may we have the courage to be that light!

Thank you.”

Josianne Gauthier – CIDSE

(PS: Josianne Gauthier is the sister of the Master of the MSM and the 3^rd of his mother's 7 children)