Contacts:
Linda Pieczynski, national spokesperson 630-399-6924 (c) or 630-655-8783 (w) or 630-323-6924 (h)

Crystal Chan, CTA Staff 773-404-0004 x285 (w) or 773-262-7202 (h)

April 2, 2005
For Immediate Release

Catholic reformers reflect on Pope’s legacy and hope for future

“Death, even when long expected, always brings an element of sadness,” states Linda Pieczynski, national spokesperson for Call To Action (CTA), the nation’s largest Catholic reform group. “The members of Call to Action share with the rest of the Roman Catholic community a sense of loss with the passing of Pope John Paul II. There is also a sense that an era in Christianity has passed and the prospects and challenges of the twenty-first century now face us in a new way. With millions of other Catholics worldwide who continue to cherish the promise of the Second Vatican Council, Call to Action prays for prophetic leadership from Pope John Paul’s successor, the new bishop of Rome.

Uniquely prepared for the Papacy in the Post-World War II world, the deceased Pope has left an indelible mark on the history of recent decades. His uncompromising calls for justice and peace continued the tradition of Papal challenge to power and wealth; but within the Roman Catholic Church his reign was characterized by Vatican domination of Church government and procedure. In a time of frequent turmoil and uncertainty the Catholic Church has unquestionably been helped by his strength and deep personal piety, but some of its energy and creativity have also been limited by the authoritative culture of the Vatican during recent decades.

Our hope is that the guidance of God’s Spirit will lead the Papal conclave to elect a Pope with John Paul’s strength, with dedication to fulfilling the progressive mandate of Vatican II and with fearless openness to ‘the signs of the times’. As we bid farewell to Pope John Paul II, we rejoice with him, assured of his welcome into the unending life of resurrection.”

For a listing of local CTA chapter contacts, visit CTA’s website at www.cta-usa.org.

###

Call To Action is the largest Catholic church reform group in the U.S., composed of 25,000 laity, religious, priests and bishops and 40 local chapters. It advocates reforms in the Catholic Church such as the ordination of women; optional celibacy for priests; change in birth control teaching; Church financial and leadership accountability; equality for homosexuals and minority groups; clergy sex abuse reforms; and focus on the church’s peace and social justice teaching. Their comprehensive web site is: www.cta-usa.org.