Press release, April 19, 2012.

‘Dialogue within the church is the only way to overcome the present deep and global crisis in the Roman-Catholic Church’, the International Movement We are Church has stated.

It declares its solidarity with the Austrian ‘Pfarrer-initiative’ and with the many recognized and respected theologians who have been silenced by the Vatican, the latest being in Spain Juan José Tamayo and Andres Torres Qeiruga and in Ireland Tony Flannery, Sean Fagan, Owen O'Sullivan and Gerry Moloney.

These theologians have been unjustly silenced without due process and in utter secrecy by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome. (For a more comprehensive account cf links at the end).

At the 7th anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict We are church invites all faithful to start an open dialogue about the points contained in the appeal published by the ‘Pfarrer-initiative’ and which has seen already so much positive response from all parts of the world.

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IMWAC Press Release - Apr 8, 2012

The homily delivered by Benedict XVI on April 5, in the traditional Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, was particularly important. It seems necessary to express some critical reflections on it.

The Pope spoke indirectly of the text of the June 19, 2011, signed to date by about 400 Austrian priests, known as the Pfarrer-Initiative. It has been followed by other important appeals in northern Europe of similar content. These priests say they are obliged to follow, especially in relation to the shortage of clergy, "their conscience" and to "take action independently" as regards the organization of their ministry. They include active participation by the Laity and pose questions about opening up the Eucharist to the divorced and remarried, and the ordination of women and married people. But Benedict XVI, like Pope Wojtyla, will not discuss the matter, never. Ever since the international movement "We Are Church", born in Austria seventeen years ago, first raised these issues, there has been no rapport, no dialogue with the Vatican. The Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Schönborn, seems to have tried but was unable to carry the debate to Rome. In his homily Benedict XVI has addressed these issues only in terms of due obedience to the Magisterium. But is obedience still a virtue? The Pope touched, in particular, on the issue of the ordination of women, repeating the line taken by Pope Wojtyla. It is not available for discussion. But, within the Church, many argue that there are no truly valid theological objections against going in this direction, and this opinion is spreading.

 

IMWAC – 15th Anniversary

A press release from WAC Austria

15 years ago, on November 25 1996, groups of “We are Church” from Austria, Germany, Italy, South-Tyrol and France came together in Rome and founded the “International Movement We Are Church” (IMWAC). At that time they represented only a few countries in Western Europe. Today IMWAC is a world-wide organisation. There are active groups in more than 25 countries, in Europe, South- and North-America, Africa, Australia and Asia, and in addition there is a wide-spread church reform network including persons in more than 50 countries.

A press release by We are Church - Germany on the 30th anniversary of the appointment of Joseph Ratzinger as the Prefect of the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.