May 2002

ARCC calls for Catholic Constitution

In a press conference May 3 at Boston's historic Faneuil Hall, a meeting site during the American Revolution, the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) launched an international movement for a Catholic Constitution. ARCC already has a constitutional document it developed in 1996, in consultation with Catholic organizations worldwide. It calls for restructured church governance with election of church leaders, limited terms of office, separation of powers via elected councils and judicial systems, regular accountability of leaders to constituents, and fair representation of women and minorities in leadership positions. "The Catholic Church has been a constitutional monarchy for more than half its history," said theologian Leonard Swidler of Temple University, a founding member of ARCC and longtime chair of the constitution project.

The ultimate goal of the movement, said ARCC president Mary Lou Hartman, is a series of constitutional conventions at each level: in parishes, dioceses, the nation, and the universal Church. ARCC strongly endorses the July 20 Congress called by Voice Of The Faithful in Boston, and is sharing its constitutional expertise with VOTF leaders. Contact ARCC at arccangel@charter.net