Notice

 

ASSOCIATION FOR THE RIGHTS OF CATHOLICS IN THE CHURCH

LINKS TO POINTS OF INTEREST

 Towards Democracy in Church and World:

a sampling of relevant web sites

Andrew Greeley: Priest-Novelist-Sociologist (USA): Vintage Greeley and very "catholic" in the root sense of the term: includes short homilies, sociological reflections, articles by and about Greeley, the "mailbox parish" newsletter, and information concerning new fiction. 

Brother Richard Oliver's suggested links (USA): Assortment of valuable and interesting ports for web-navigators in search of religious sites. 

Call to Action Web Page (USA): "Call To Action USA (CTA) is an independent national organization of over 22,000 people and 40 local organizations who believe the Spirit of God is at work in the whole church, not just in its appointed leaders. We believe the entire Catholic church has the obligation of responding to the needs of the world and taking initiative in programs of peace and justice." The CTA front page features frequently updated and topical resources. 

Irish Women's Ordination Site (Ireland): BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST (B.A.S.I.C.)--"Praying and Working for the Ordination of Women in the Roman Catholic Church." 

Opus Dei Awareness Network, Inc. (ODAN -- USA): The Opus Dei Awareness Network, Inc. (ODAN) was founded to meet the growing demand for accurate information about Opus Dei and provide comfort and support for people who have been adversely affected by Opus Dei. 

Opus Dei -- The Unofficial Homepage:. Excellent site created by Franz Schaefer who describes it as "intended to be an independent source of information and a collection of links about the Opus Dei sect. It is not meant as an anti-Opus Dei propaganda -- both the the positive and negative sides of the organisation will be mentioned. Of course, since they only present themselves in a good light, there is an emphasis on critical points of view." The FAQ section, links, and especially the quotes from Father McCloskey, Director of the Catholic Information Center of the Archdiocese of Washington, offer proof of just how reactionary OD "Catholicims" is. 

Partenia: Bishop Gaillot's Cyber-See (France): Exactly one year after his January 13, 1995 forced removal from the see of Evreux in Normandy liberal and outspoken Bishop Gaillot opened his web-page to the world, inviting all to "write to me." Beautiful site, with an English language version. 

Priests for Equality (USA):  a movement of women and men throughout the world---laity, religious and clergy---who work for the full participation of women and men in the church and in society. We are a grass-roots organization committed to creating a culture where sexism and exclusion are behind us and equality and full participation are the order of the day. 

Radical Catholic Page (USA): Focus on liberation and rationality. Numerous interesting and useful further links. A site that is rapidly expanding. 

San Franciso Bay Catholic (USA): A balanced, independent site for thoughful, adult Catholics that is updated regularly. A place for genuine dialogue with a growing collection of articles representing a broad spectrum of views. 

Sister Site (USA): SisterSite began as the Web-wing of sister-l, an Internet discussion forum for the "history and contemporary concerns of Catholic women religious" and is described as a clearinghouse for information on women's religious congregations, the history of religious life, and contemporary concerns of women in church and society. While content and focus are primarily Catholic, interested individuals from other religious traditions will find the site a superb resource. The two-fold mission of SisterSite also includes emphasis on providing a supportive environment for new scholarship and other creative efforts pertaining to religious life. 

Saint Mary's Fun Religious Studies Web Sites (USA): Part of the Religious Studies webpage of Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN. Saint Mary's has a stated mission of cultivating  "a Christian community of intellectual inquiry, liturgical prayer, and social action" and of creating "an open forum in which students  freely and critically study the rich heritage of the Catholic tradition, raising the questions necessary to develop a mature religious life." 

Theology Library (formerly The Catholic Mobile--USA): A stunning collection of 112 pages with over 4,700 links (the growth rate of this site is phenomenal) "In the spirit of the Second Vatican Council." This is the most comprehensive Catholic site on the web I have found. It is especially noteworthy for its openness to the vast spectrum of modes of being Catholic from Opus Dei to Call to Action. It literally covers the Catholic universe. 

Women Priests: The Case for Ordaining Women in the Catholic Church. John Winjgaards' Website to present the case for ordaining women in the Catholic Church. The site will eventually offer all the evidence relating to this hotly disputed issue in the Catholic Church. It will contain scriptural, biblical and theological material published on the Internet for the first time. It will also contain a substantial section dealing with women deacons. Ancient ordination rituals that conclusively prove the ordination of women deacons to have been part of Holy Orders, will be made accessible.  Launched 28 May, 1999.
 

Catholic Reform and Renewal throughout the World
IMWAC: International Movement We Are Church

Catalunya:  Moviment Internacional  Som Església Pàgina oficial de IMWAC 

FRANCE: French group of women who are friends of priests and are working toward optional celibacy in the Catholic Church. Languages: French, English, German and Hungarian. If you share those goals, please contact the group. 

FRANCE: Partenia -- Bishop Gaillot's Cyber-See (see above) 

GERMANY: Petition drive conducted in Fall, 1995, and continuing on with dialogue and other projects to help realize the vision. Kirche im Aufbruch!"

ITALY: La Communita nell'Ascensione a Chiaia (Group ". . . per la democratizzazione della gerarchia ecclesiastica . . .." This community in Naples calls for "communication with everyone who thinks that the Catholic Church needs a democratisation process and a mission of service without impositions." 

Portugal:  Um movimento pela justiça, pela tolerância e pela renovação da Igreja Católica, conhecido como Nós Somos Igreja cresce no mundo. 

SOUTH TIROL:  Südtiroler Initiativgruppe Für eine lebendigere Kirche 
Per una Chiesa più umana  Pur na dlijia plü via 

SPAIN: Corriente "Somos Iglesia" 
Es importante afirmar desde el inicio de la Campaña, que el espíritu de "Somos Iglesia" se sitúa en la perspectiva del Vaticano II. 

U.K. :  We Are Church is a movement, not a membership organisation as  such. We Are Church is a fundamental statement which can be made by any two or more Christians gathered together in Christ's name.  By our baptism into Christ all of us are members of the Assembly of the  People of God - We Are Church 

USA: Text of the referendum in English and Spanish, e-mail signature return form, campaign guide, theological reflections, state coordinators, and so forth: "We are Church!" 


 
AUSTRIA: This is where the call for democracy and empathy in the Church began in the Easter season of 1995. "Frohbotschaft statt Drohbotschaft!" and "Wir sind Kirche!" 

CANADA: The Canadian initiative stands in the sign of Pope John XXIII's powerful words:"The Council now beginning rises in the Church like a daybreak, a forerunner of the most splendid light. It is now only dawn." 

CANADA: CNWE -- Catholic Network for Women's Equality: Mission: to enable women to name their giftedness and from that awareness to effect structural change in the Church that reflects the mutuality and coresponsibility of women and men within that Church.

Sharing God's Love: Peace and Justice for the World

Dignity/USA (USA): Dignity/USA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society. Through our national organization and many local chapters, Dignity works for education, for the reform of the Church's teachings and pastoral practices toward sexual minorities, and for the acceptance of all people as full members of the Church. 

Habitat for Humanity International: organization to o "promote good stewardship of natural resources in the elimination of substandard shelter, and to raise awareness of the impact of human habitation on God's creation." 

Maryknoll Mission Association of the Faithful (MMAF) is looking for people willing to share the heartbreak and joy of the poor by joining us in our mission efforts. Explore the following pages to learn about our mission, our work in 16 countries, and the many opportunities we offer you to touch the poor and be touched by Christ. 

Quixote Center is a faith-based social justice center working with people who have few resources for their struggles.  We strive to make our world, our nation, and our Church more just, peaceful and equitable in their policies and practices. 

The busy Christian's guide to Catholic Social Teaching: Outlines of the main encyclicals: Rerum novarum, Quadragesimo anno, Mater et Magistra, Gaudium et spes, Populorum progressio 

Witness for Peace is a faith-based, politically independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to acting in accordance with principles of nonviolence. 
 

Theology and Ecumenical Dialogue

Catholic Theology at Passau (Germany): School of Catholic Theology of the University of Passau with numerous articles and links to the Vatican. 

Chicago Center for Religion and Science (USA): The Center is dedicated to relating religious traditions and scientific knowledge in order to gain insight into the origins, nature, and future of humans and their environment, and to realize the common goal of a world in which love, justice, and ecologically responsible styles of living prevail. 

Facets of Religion (Germany): Excellent roundhouse to connect the major world religions. Virtual libraries. Not to be confused with the Dominican University in Fribourg, Switzerland. 

Global Dialogue Institute (USA): This Temple University site is dedicated to the building of ecumenical bridges to prepare for the next Millennium as a period of mutual understanding, respect, and enrichment; it includes the Center for Global Ethics with a growing deposit of relevant documents, such as Hans Küng's 1993 "Declaration" and Leonard Swidler's "Toward a Global Ethic." 

Institut für Ökumenische Forschung, Universität Tübingen (Germany): Institute for Ecumenical Research, University of Tübingen. Includes the Projekt Weltethos, Global Ethic Project. Available in German and English. For the past 33 years the Institute has been under the leadership of Professor Hans Küng who retired in February 1996. It is now reitegrated into the University of Tübingen. 

Pat Patterson's God Squad (USA): A very informative site for those seeking insight into world religions and the wide spectrum of Catholicism from right to left. 

Religions in Renewal (USA): Site to connect groups within the major world religions dedicated to renewing their traditions in the direction of openness and democratic values. Emphasis on ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. 

Woodstock Theological Center (USA): Reincarnation of a small college and seminary at Woodstock, Maryland, where John Courtney Murray taught and generations of Jesuits were educated to the priesthood until the school was closed in 1974. The valuable Library was moved to Georgetown and the Center was opened as independent research institute sponsored by the New York and Maryland Jesuit provinces. The Center maintains a list of WWW sites with links to Woodstock. In the spirit and memory of John Courtney Murray and Vatican II, human rights and consideration of values in the social, political, economic, and religious arenas, with emphasis on religious liberty, have been ongoing concerns for the Center, expressed in terms of "the service of faith through the promotion of justice." 
 

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ARCC/VATICAN2 Web-Site Editor: Ingrid H. Shafer, Ph.D.
  e-mail address: facshaferi@mercur.usao.edu or ihs@ionet.net
Last updated 19 June 2001
Copyright © 1995-1998 Ingrid H. Shafer