EVENTS
COMING SOON - 2019 SYNOD
OCTOBER 1,2,3
June 12, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
After celebrating two great seasons of the Church, Lent and Easter, we come to this “ordinary” time. Yet given this past Sunday’s great feast of Pentecost, we are anything but ordinary. We are gifted, empowered, and commissioned to do extraordinary things if we are willing and open. The Holy Spirit promises to complete God’s work through us in unimaginable ways beyond our own human or personal talents or limitations. Believe it.
On behalf of each of you, I call us to assemble in Synod this fall October 1,2,3. The theme is “WHO ARE WE?”
As your presiding bishop I have the privilege to attend a special summer school class at the University of Utrecht in July. This is a yearly course on “Old Catholic Theology” along with liturgical celebrations with the presiding bishop of Utrecht.
As a former Roman Catholic priest in the who had the good fortune to stay at the Salvatorian motherhouse on St. Peter’s Square in Rome several times, this is for me like finding my new “mother” that I never knew. I am very excited to discover the roots of my “old” home.
Many of us had deep identities in Rome and may feel as I do, who am I? Others of us simply want to know more about what it means to be an independent Catholic. Still others look forward to just knowing one another.
It is my hope that during our up-coming Synod in October, will be an opportunity for me to share with you my studies in Utrecht, our “hometown” with an opportunity for each of you to share with us "who you are". Importantly, taking this time together will strengthen our understanding of who we are, an Independent Catholic Church to complete our mission.
One of the most distinguishing foundations of Independent, Old Catholics identity, is we are synodical/conciliar, like a three-legged stool, where all branches are needed equally: our bishops, ordained clergy and laity. Therefore, it is necessary that everyone understand that we need all of us present at the Synod because together we make sound decisions for our Church. So, to all of us, especially our laity, I make a special plea to please sacrifice your time to be with us at our up-coming Synod collectively sharing this mission of Christ.
So, I beg you, do everything you can to set these days aside and join us here in Kingman. If this a financial burden that would prevent you from coming, please inform me so we as a jurisdiction can assist you.
In loving service to you, I am
Gratefully yours in Christ,
Bishop Leonard Walker
