Contact the Cardinals Campaign
The May 21-24 special consistory of the world’s cardinals offers an unexpected chance for the Spirit to focus attention on urgent pastoral needs. None is more urgent than the scarcity of Eucharist due to the priest shortage. Call To Action is therefore participating in a “Contact the Cardinals and cc. the Bishops” Campaign, initiated by FutureChurch. The particulars are already available on the websites of both organizations, and those of CORPUS, Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church, and other reform groups. Internationally, the campaign has won the support of the International Movement We Are Church (IMWAC), which has posted full information on its website for worldwide affiliates to contact their cardinals.
Addresses of all cardinals worldwide, including three Americans in the Vatican, are on the Web at www.catholic-pages.com/hierarchy/cardinals_list.asp
In the U.S. the priest shortage worsens dramatically, as 27 percent of parishes are now without a resident priest, up from 10 percent just five years ago. Since late last fall, major newspaper stories have appeared in Phoenix, Brooklyn, Boston, Cleveland, and Buffalo. The U.S. bishops’ own statistics show there are more priests over 90 than under 30. Local bishops know the crisis is real, but to open ordination to married people and to women, they need the leadership of the universal Church to get involved. The cardinals wield the most influence with both pope and fellow bishops.
Take immediate action
- • Write, fax or e-mail the U.S. Cardinals (addresses, right). Ask them to encourage Vatican officials and the Pope to open ordination so that Eucharist will continue to be available at least weekly. As a first step, request the return to active ministry of priests who have left to marry.
- Urge that the availability of Eucharist be the top priority at the May consistory, at the month-long October worldwide synod of bishops, and even into the next conclave.
- CC. your letter to your local bishops and to CTA.
- Write to the editor of your local newspaper.
- Sign up for the new Future of Priestly Ministry Dialogue Supplement. Available in mid-June, this new resource will contain statistics from the U.S. Bishops’ recent research on the priest shortage, a study guide, a prayer service for the feast of Corpus Christi, and other materials for education and advocacy. ($10 from FutureChurch).