VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI
nominated 45 experts and 49 observers, approximately 30% of whom are women, for
the upcoming world Synod of Bishops on the “New Evangelization for the
Transmission of the Christian Faith." The synod is scheduled for October 7-28 in t
he Vatican.
The experts include priests, nuns and laypeople,
many of whom are professors, rectors or supervisors of catechetical or pastoral
programs. Many of the observers are
leaders of religious orders, founders or leaders of lay movements or large
Catholic associations, or professors or organizers of catechetical and pastoral
programs.
The experts from the United States include:
Sister Sara Butler, a professor of theology at
the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill.
A member of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, Sister Butler
was one of two women Blessed Pope John Paul II named to the International
Theological Commission in 2004
Benedictine Father Jeremy Driscoll, a
professor at Rome's Pontifical Athenaeum of San
Anselmo and at Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, OR
Ralph Martin,
president of Renewal Ministries in Ann Arbor, MI., and director of graduate
programs in the new evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit
Sister Paula Jean Miller, a Franciscan Sister
of the Eucharist and professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas in
Houston
Edward N. Peters, who holds the Edmund Cardinal Szoka chair in faculty
development at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. A professor of canon law, Peters was
the first layperson to serve as a consultant, to the church's highest court,
the Apostolic Signature. He is also the author of the blog, "In the Light
of the Law."
The 49 observers can attend all synod sessions,
participate in the synod working groups and have an opportunity to address the
entire assembly.
The U.S.
observers are: Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of
Columbus; Peter Murphy, executive director of the Secretariat of Evangelization
and Catechesis at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Curtis Martin,
founder and president of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students,
"FOCUS;" Marylee J. Meehan, the U.S.-based president of the
International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants; and
U.S. Sister Mary Lou Wirtz, president of the International Union of Superiors
General and general superior of the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and
Mary.
(from Catholic News Service -- Carol Glatz)