Catholic Common Ground Initiative



Catholic COmmon Ground Initiative

The Catholic Common Ground Initiative was inaugurated by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin with the release of a statement, Called to Be Catholic: Church in a Time of Peril, on August 12, 1996. It originated in a concern that unnecessarily polarizing differences among church leaders and members hinder efforts to build the church community and to carry out its mission. The statement proposes working principles for dialogue within the church and expresses the conviction that such an effort will transform those who engage in it as well as strengthen the church for its mission in the new millennium.

The ongoing work of the Catholic Common Ground Initiative represents both a call to renewed dialogue within the church and an effort to undertake and exemplify that kind of dialogue.

Saint Mary's College and The Catholic Common Ground Intitiative began their partnership in Spring of 2001.

Common Ground Conversations
"We're all in this together - Come, let's talk to each other"

Format:
Small Group discussion. Respectful listening to diverse views. Honestly speaking from our hearts as well as well as our minds. Raising questions. Seeking wisdom.

Purpose:
To provide an opportunity for our college community to gather and dialogue about critical issues in both the Church
and the world.

Everyone in the Saint Mary's College community
is invited to participate!

Guidelines for Conversations (download)

Current Conversation

More Than One Way to be Catholic, Nov. 15, 8:00 p.m., Welsh Parlor, Haggar College Center

Past Conversations

2008-2009 Academic Year
Evolution: Catholic teaching accepts it.  Do YOU?
Voting for the Common Good: Catholic Perspectives on the Presidential Election

2006-2007 Academic Year
The Marriage of Eros and Grace: Sexuality and Spirituality
Welcoming the Stranger: Immigration Issues

2005-2006 Academic Year
Church and Academy: Building Our Shared Future

2004-2005 Academic Year
The Church Women Want
Faith and Political Responsibility: Voting for the Common Good
Religious Commitment and Politics

2003-2004 Academic Year
Can the Moral Integrity of the Catholic Church Be Restored?

2002-2003 Academic Year
Abortion: Issues and Ethics
Sexual Orientation: Questions and Concerns
Catholic Identity: Continuing the Conversation

2001-2002 Academic Year
Catholic Identity: Is Saint Mary's College too Catholic? Is it not Catholic Enough? Does it Matter?
From Horror to Hope: Diverse Voices in Conversation