Catholic Reform Leaders Call for an Inclusive Pastoral on Marriage

At its annual fall meeting from November 16 – 19, 2009, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is expected to review a new pastoral letter pertaining to marriage. In a statement to the bishops, Catholic reform leaders call upon them to create a pastoral that addresses the real needs of Catholics in the United States:

“We call upon our bishops to ensure that any pastoral they endorse reflects the experience and anxieties shared by Catholics in the listening sessions the bishops conducted over the past few years. We also urge them to address the needs of the many Catholics who did not have access to these sessions. We hope our Bishops have truly listened to the hearts and voices of all God’s people and raise up those values that Catholics across the country are living out in their families and communities.

“There can be no doubt that, as the bishops’ pastoral letter states, marriage is a blessing, both special and natural. It is worthy of affirmation and support from both religious and secular institutions. At the same time, our church and society can fully celebrate this blessing only when all those who are called to marriage can indeed marry, when couples are able to exercise their conscience to make moral decisions about their lives, and when those who are remarried are still welcomed at the table.

“As Catholics, we must adhere to those principles of love and justice that are core to our faith as central to any marriage. We must also lift up the freedom of conscience of every person in a loving relationship.”

Endorsing Organizations:

Call To Action
Jim FitzGerald, Executive Director
773-404-0004

Catholics for Choice
Jon O’Brien, President
202-986-6093

DignityUSA
Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director
617-669-7810

Ecumenical Catholic Communion
Charlie Davis
843-838-1108

National Coalition of American Nuns
Jeannine Gramick, SL, Executive Coordinator
301-864-3604

New Ways Ministry
Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director
301-277-5674

Pax Christi Maine
Bill Slavick, Coordinator
207-773-6562

Southeastern Pennsylvania Women’s Ordination Conference
Regina Bannan, President
215-545-9649

Women’s Ordination Conference
Erin Saiz Hanna, Executive Director
401-588-0457

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