The 1976 U.S. Catholic Bishops' Call To Action Conference in Detroit

A.D. 1977
Note to the Reader

The two year process which led up to the Detroit "Call to Action" Conference (October 20-23, 1976), was the most widespread consultation attempted in recent church history. Nevertheless, strong skeptics predicted that not much would happen. We of the Quixote Center were among those skeptics. The experience of the Conference changed our thinking. The "Liberty and Justice for All" debates and voting produced one of the most stirring church meetings we have ever attended.

We wanted to share the experience and recommendations of Detroit with many Catholics so that you might read the recommendations, discuss them with others, and then speak forth your own views. In order to make these documents available in a simple and low cost publication, we produced this tabloid newspaper. We hope to follow up with a Spanish edition.

Included are accompanying materials which explain the process which led to Detroit and describe the meetings which took place. Cardinal Dearden's official report to the bishops after the Detroit conference is also included. This publication closes with some suggested ways of discussing the recommendations, advising your bishops, and of beginning to implement the recommendations of the conference. There is an. index to the Detroit resolutions and a response sheet which may assist you in recording and sharing your reactions.

Share your own reflections and conclusions as widely as you can and you will help our church take a major step along the road of justice and love to which Christ is calling us.

The Staff of the Quixote Center

Maureen E. Fiedler, rsm
Jeannine Gramick, ssnd
C. Robert Nugent, sds
William H. Callahan, sj

 

Reprinted with permission of the Quixote Center.