Press release of the International Movement We Are Church – Strasbourg, France / Madrid, Spain – May 9, 1008
We are Church: Letter to Pope Benedict asking for voluntary celibacy
We are Church writes Letter to Pope Benedict asking for voluntary celibacy as a first step toward a renewed form of priesthood. International Movement We are Church coordinates next year’s initiatives in its annual Council in Strasbourg/France.
In a letter to Pope Benedict XVI the International Movement We Are Church asks him “to reconsider the present organisation of the ministries in the Roman Catholic Church, to urgently repeal the present Church’s law of obligatory celibacy and to re-introduce voluntary celibacy for ordained priests as a first step towards a renewed form of priesthood.”
In its letter We are Church writes “The opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist should take precedence over the Church law of compulsory celibacy” referring canon 213 which gives Christians the right to receive the Holy Eucharist each Sunday.
The Catholic reform movement is greatly concerned about the growing shortage of ordained priests which can be seen in the Vatican’s ”Annuario Pontificio”. Because of this the celebration of the Holy Eucharist has had to be omitted in an increasing number of parishes. This does not only affect Europe and the United States of America, but especially the parishes and missions in South America. It is a global problem that urgently requires a global solution and one that a great majority of practising Catholics would like to see changed.
The letter is addressed to “Dear Pope Benedict XVI, dear brother in Christ” and is signed by Raquel Mallavibarrena from Madrid, present Chair of the International Movement We Are Church.
