PRESS STATEMENTS

22/February/ 2013

We Are Church Ireland, believes that now is the opportune time for the Catholic faithful to exercise the right and duty outlined in Canon Law Article 212.3.  ‘The faithful have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to their sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful.’   

In the spirit of that Article we have written to Cardinal Brady, as an Cardinal elector , conveying our conviction regarding the competencies needed in the successor of Pope Benedict and urge all Catholics to  do likewise.

It is a matter of urgency that the incoming Pope is someone with significant pastoral experience ‘on the ground’, who will:

•   govern the Church as Head of the College of Bishops and in cooperation/consultation with that College, in accordance with Vatican II
• Restore the power of National Bishops’ Conferences,
•  Reform the Curia, restricting its power
• Develop structures of wide consultation for the selection of all who are to hold positions of authority
• Insist that unity in diversity and respect for human rights are valued as guiding principles in all areas of Church governance and theological reflection
• Create a more inclusive Church community, where everyone is welcomed into full communion with our Church
•  Open all ministries within the Church to women
•  Set in place a revitalised theology of sexuality
•  Renew the impetus towards full Christian unity.

‘At this critical time in the Catholic Church when we need a new direction towards openness and transparency in the Catholic Church it is imperative that all Irish Catholics express their views to Cardinal Brady at Ara Coeli ,Armagh about the qualities and competencies required in a new Pope ‘ stated Brendan Butler . spokesperson , We are Church Ireland .

Further information : Brendan Butler 086 4054984