History of the Movement

1995

Church Referendum We Are Church started in Austria, Germany and South Tyrol.

2.5 million signatures for a renewal of the Roman Catholic Church according to the intention of the Second Vatican Council.

• The creation of a Church of brothers and sisters
• Full participation of the women in all aspects of Church life
• Removal of the obligation of clerical celibacy
• A positive attitutde twoards sexuality and recognition of the primacy of an informed moral conscience
• A message of joy and not threat or discrimination.

1996

International Movement We Are Church (IMWAC) founded in Rome

1997

Participation in the 2nd European Ecumenical Assembly in Graz, Austria (despite the intervention of Cardinal Ratzinger)

Incontro Internazionale Del Popolo Di Dio in Rome to present signatures to the Pope

2nd Council of the international movement We Are Church in Rome, Italy

1998

"Pope for the Time to Come: Bishop of Rome and Universal Pastor"

More than 145 major groups world-wide endorsed the document

1999

Forum of European Catholics shadowing the Bishops' Synod for Europe in Rome

3rd Council of the international movement We Are Church in Santa Severa, Italy

2001

Synod of the People of God - with participation from around the world shadowing the Xth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome

4th Council of the international movement We Are Church in Rome, Italy

2002

We Are Church - Youth at Challenge the Church parallel to the World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada

2003 & 2004

5th Council of the international movement We Are Church in Barcelona, Spain

2005

Conclave Project, "Visions of a New Church" in Rome, 14-16 April

"We Are Church - Worldwide", celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Church referendum in Innsbruck, Austria, in June

We Are Church - Youth initiates "WorldYouthDay4All" during Catholic World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany in August

2006

6th Council of the international movement We Are Church in Freising near Munich, Germany - 16-18 June

2006

10th Anniversary of the International Movement We Are Church (IMWAC) founded in Rome on 25 November 1996