Call To Action Gathers with Reform Groups to Encourage Dialogue with Pope Francis
Contact:
Ryan J. Hoffmann, Director of Communications
773.404.0004 ext. 285
ryan@cta-usa.org
For Immediate Release: September 25, 2013
As the largest Catholic organization working for equality and justice in the Church today, Call To Action (CTA) stands with other reform groups in encouraging dialogue around the rights and responsibilities of lay Catholics. All the baptized deserve a voice at the table of Church decision-making and governance.
The vast majority of mainstream Catholics already believe the laity deserve greater acknowledgement, roles and influence in the Church. Recent polling done by the Huffington Post on Pope Francis’ expansive comments indicate that 46% of Catholics believe his comments were a “good change.” 20% said they did not go far enough, while only 15% indicated they went too far. Lay Catholics – the backbone of Catholic faith communities – stand ready and willing to provide greater leadership and vision in a renewed and reformed Church.
CTA stands in solidarity with all lay Catholics and continues to advocate for greater voice and justice for those marginalized by the Church. As Jesus’ ministry demonstrates, and as the Gospels illustrate, we must welcome all our brothers and sisters as equals. CTA stands with women, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, communities of color, church workers, and others in cultivating a church where all voices are affirmed and celebrated. Jim FitzGerald, Executive Director of CTA, notes:
“When women are received as equals in church leadership, when the Church views LGBT persons as being created in the likeness and image of God, when racial justice prevails in our institutions as well as individual hearts, when church workers are treated justly and fairly, when such things become a reality, then the Catholic Church can claim a more credible and relevant voice in the lives of Catholics.”
Catholics around the world have been living a gospel of love and justice for years. As an organization, in concert with our collaborators, CTA has been laying a foundation for change in the Church. We were encouraged to hear Pope Francis speak of continued discernment and reform. As this spirit of change begins to reach into all levels of our Church, we look forward to working with all those who seek to embody a more accountable, inclusive, and just Church.
####
Call To Action (CTA), USA is a national organization working for equality and justice in the Catholic Church today. CTA educates, inspires and activates Catholics to act for justice and build inclusive communities through a lens of anti-racism and anti-oppression principles. For more information about CTA, visit us online at: www.cta-usa.org
