As Pope Francis said the Angelus to a packed St. Peter’s Square on Sunday 13 October 2024, We Are Church International (WAC) raised a banner to EQUALITY in support of Pope Francis.
Within 5 minutes the WAC group was surrounded by police who ordered the banner to be taken down and detained 7 of the WAC group for up to 4 hours.
Expressing support for Pope Francis with a banner for EQUALITY as followers of Jesus should be readily acceptable.
This is a key topic at the Synod being held in the Vatican City state, which Pope Francis initiated in 2021.
We totally accept the need to protect Pope Francis from attack and the long queues and security checks are essential and warranted.
But the Vatican security system should not be used to promote only conservative voices, when many reform voices also support Pope Francis.
Unity in diversity must apply in the Vatican City state as well as in the global church.
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Press contacts:
Colm Holmes, Chair We are Church International
Email:
Dr Martha Heizer, Vice-Chair We are Church International
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