press releases

Progressive Catholics Congratulate Pope, Look Forward

October 13, 2003

Chicago, Oct. 13, 2003--Call to Action shares with the rest of the Roman Catholic community a sense of celebration on Pope John Paul II's 25th anniversary. There is also a sense that an era in Christianity is passing and the prospects and challenges of the twenty-first century now face us in a new way.

Linda Pieczynski, spokesperson for Call To Action, said, "John Paul II 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 term has been characterized by Vatican domination of Church governance. The Catholic Church has been helped by his strength and deep personal piety in a time of turmoil but some of its energy and creativity has also been limited by the authoritarianism of the Vatican."

"Our hope is that the guidance of God’s Spirit will lead the next papal conclave to elect a pope with dedication to fulfilling the renewal mandate of Vatican II. and with fearless openness to 'the signs of the times'."

Call To Action's annual conference in Milwaukee, November 7-9, is expected to attract 2,500 progressive Catholics.

Call To Action is a national organization of 25,000 laity, religious, priests and bishops and 40 local chapters. It advocates for reforms in the Catholic Church such as the ordination of women, optional celibacy for priests, more focus on the church's social justice teaching, and consultation with the Catholic people on church decision-making and sexuality issues. Their comprehensive web site is at www.cta-usa.org.

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Contact: Linda Pieczynski, 630 655-8783 (office), 630 323-6924 ( home); Crystal Chan 773 404-0004 x285 (office).

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