Reform call on Francis' 2nd anniversary

Pope Francis

 ROME– The international movement We are the Church is demanding epochal change in Roman Catholicism.

 In the run-up to the second anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate, the international We Are Church movement is calling for reform in the Catholic Church in line with the direction of the Second Vatican Council, which took place over 50 years ago.

 The organisation has praised Pope Francis’ work thus far, describing it as interactive, relevant and the beginning of a necessary cultural shift. However, members believe that there is still more to be done. In particular, We Are Church is asking for the reinstation of “lay people, theologians, women and others removed unfairly from engagement in the Church in the last years”.

 In other words, the organisation would like the Catholic Church to become more inclusive. The movement has also expressed the need for a direct and permanent dialogue with the Pope, as a way to convey members’ concerns and our beliefs about issues facing the Catholic Church.

 Founded in 1995, We Are Church has spent the past 20 years campaigning for various issues affecting the Catholic Church, but most often for the installation of the reforms set out at the Second Vatican Council, which is most well-known for its renewal and modernisation of Catholic doctrine.