"So far a good number of priests have signed. I hope that more will. We need initiatives such as this. On a number of occasions Pope Francis has called for a more consultative process in church matters, one less reliant on centralized, bureaucratic control. This sort of public statement—something petition-like—gives the Holy See a clear picture of where the men in the trenches of day-to-day ministry stand when it comes to issues being debated at the highest levels. This is a good thing."
--R. R. Reno, editor of First Things.
"A growing number of Catholic priests in the US have signed a statement urging the Synod of Bishops to 'make a clear and firm proclamation of the Church’s unchanging moral teaching' on marriage.
Following the example set by priests in England and Wales, a small group of priests has organized a campaign to urge a clear re-statement of Church teaching, 'so that confusion may be removed.' In a brief, four-paragraph statement, they pledge their own 'unwavering fidelity' to the Church’s teaching."
"I signed the Statement of Belief to support American priests affirming fidelity to the doctrine of our faith regarding marriage and the family. The statement is intended to encourage the Synod Fathers as they proclaim freedom in Christ, through the grace of knowing and responding to the truth. This statement is signed by priests who love and support the Holy Father, in response to his universal invitation for dialogue in anticipation of the Synod. Like all Catholics, I pray for the Holy Father and the Synod Fathers, and I encourage all Catholics to learn from the good work of the Synod."
-- Bishop James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L., Lincoln
Other interesting links:
"Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Vatican's Secretariat for the Economy, spoke this weekend on issues surrounding the family and the upcoming Synod of Bishops, saying the synod is unable to change Church teaching. Church teaching, he said, referencing papal documents such as those of St. John Paul II on marriage and family, can’t be 'abdicated, (because) it’s based on the teachings of Christ.' 'Christ is very clear about divorce, very clear about adultery; and not quite as important, but still very important, St. Paul is explicit about the conditions that are required for proper reception of communion.'" (May 9, 2015)
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/synod-will-endorse-church-teaching-on-family-cardinal-pell-78281/
"If people in general want a good idea of how the synod works, or how a council works, read the section (in Acts of the Apostles) where Paul and Barnabas come to Jerusalem and meet with the apostles to clarify whether Gentile converts needing to be circumcised in order to be true Christians. That’s a very good analogy to keep in mind...
“The credo statement certainly isn’t new, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to any Catholic. I see it as an expression of my fraternal support for my brother bishops and for the Holy Father, and it’s a great teaching moment for the whole church.”
-- Bishop David D. Kagan, D.D., P.A., J.C.L.., Bismarck,
INTERNATIONAL THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION SENSUS FIDEI IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
(2014)
"Therefore, all the faithful ‘have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church’. ‘They have the right to make their views known to others of Christ’s faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reference to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals’" (quoting Code of Canon Law, can.212, §3).
