Renouncing riches, living like ordinary people
As the Synod on Synodality opens in Rome today, perhaps it’s worth remembering the commitment of a group of 40 or so groups, mostly from the Jesus Christ and the Church of the Poor group at the Second Vatican Council, who adopted what has since become known as the Pact of the Catacombs.
Initiated by Brazilian Helder Camara, who was inspired by Joseph Cardijn’s 1903 consecration of his life to the working class, the statement was eventually signed by some 500 bishops.
More recently, participants in the 2019 Pan-Amazon Synod adopted their own new Pact of the Catacombs for Our Common Home.
Lots of inspiration in these documents not only for Synod participants but for us all.
Stefan Gigacz
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Original Pact of the Catacombs
Pact of the Catacombs for Our Common Home
Jesus Christ and the Church of the Poor Group - First Meeting 1962
Helder Camara’s Letter to Cardijn 17 September 1965 (Joseph Cardijn Digital Library)
Stefan Gigacz, Cardijn, Camara and the Pact of the Catacombs (Cardijn Research)
PHOTO
Dutch National Archives/Wikipedia
