(CRUX. John Lavenburg).
NEW YORK – To address noticeable tensions, American Catholics want church leaders to foster unity through promoting interculturality and greater co-responsibility, and for them to better articulate church teaching, according to the latest synod synthesis report for the American church. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on May 28 published the “National Synthesis of the People of God in the United States of America for the Interim Stage,” which summarizes the responses of more than 35,000 Catholics taken during more than 1,000 diocesan listening sessions over Lent. The U.S. synod team said 76 percent of American dioceses and eparchies submitted reports. There were also 15 separate listening sessions held that focused on church life, social justice, and vocations, in which over 350 people participated. The American bishops met for a synod listening session, as well. The 20-page report identifies both sources of tensions and desires expressed by American Catholics.