We Are Church Intl.

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Manifesto of the International Movement We Are Church

Proclaimed in Rome, 12 October 1997

Here in Rome, 35 years ago, Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council. Catholics throughout the world have put great hope on this event : that might result a more credible church - free, collegial, poor, and a servant.

  • We need a Church of love, where all are accepted equally.
  • We need a catholic [i.e. universal ] Church, where each person is welcome with his/her life experiences, images of God and longing for community.
  • We need a Church that affirms God's creation, that acts in a reconciling manner and reflects the unconditional love of Jesus Christ for all humankind.
  • We need a Church committed to justice and peace, and which puts solidarity with the excluded of the world at the centre of its action.

In the certainty that God's Spirit leads her /his Church on new ways, millions of Christians have supported the Kirchenvolks- Begehren. [i.e. Petition, Declaration, Referendum, etc.]

Read more: Manifesto of the International Movement We Are Church

The Roman Declaration

Women and men delegates from ten countries, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, South Tyrol (Italy), Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States of America, gathered in Rome from 22-25 November 1996 to further the work of reform in the Roman Catholic Church.

At the tomb of St Peter they remembered the words: "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of One who has called you out of darkness into wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9-10)

They founded the International Movement We Are Church to network and create communication inside the Church and to spread the Petition of the people. This Petition which was begun in Austria, Germany and South Tyrol focuses on the need for a Church

  • which values participation
  • with all ministries open to women and men,
  • with optional celibacy,
  • which values sexuality and primacy of conscience,
  • which is committed to social justice and human rights,
  • which does not marginalise its own people.
Read more: The Roman Declaration