Not only with words… Synodality, Community Organising and Catholic Social Action

Wednesday November 20, 2024,
7pm

This report emerges from the work of Catholic parishes and ecumenical partners in east London, who have responded to this “Synodal” call, and have found the practice of broad-based community organising helpful in both the internal and the external journey. This may seem surprising: community organising is known best for its campaigns on issues such as the Living Wage, affordable housing and migrants’ rights. However, what is most distinctive about community organising is the foundations it builds before such action is taken – focusing on the identification and development of leaders (especially those who are overlooked and marginalised by the dominant culture), the “cultural, spiritual, and religious values of the people”, and the life of the parishes, congregations and other organisations of which they are a part. It is this focus on the renewal of congregations and the development of leaders that gives community organising such relevance to the
Church’s “Synodal journey”.

St Margaret & All Saints' Church, Barking Road, London, UK
Wednesday November 20, 2024,
7pm