We Are Church answers Pope's attack

In a stern address to all the bishops of Germany in late November, John Paul II blasted "certain lay associations" of reformist Catholics for supporting women's ordination and optional celibacy, positions that "run counter to the will of Christ." It was clear he was referring to IMWAC, the International We Are Church Movement. He demanded that the bishops resist the campaign for reform, and reiterated that the ban on women priests must be accepted by all Catholics "without any discussion."
In a statement of response, IMWAC leaders said they were gratified that at least IMWAC was now acknowledged to exist, instead of being completely ignored by the Vatican. They stressed that IMWAC positions from the original Austrian referendum of 1995 are now shared by many committed Catholics worldwide, and were repeated in the official Dialogue for Austria.

To help the Dialogue continue despite Rome's opposition, IMWAC activists in Austria are mailing a brochure to every parish in Austria, recalling the reform propositions passed at the delegates' summit, and asking Catholics to further the conversation. IMWAC leader in Austria is journalist Hubert Feichtlbauer, who addressed CTA in Milwaukee last November.