Three Decades of Struggle for Reforms in the Church - We Are Church's 30-Year Push for Catholic Reforms Gains Bishops' Support
We Are Church, a German lay organization advocating for reforms in the Catholic Church, has sparked intense debate about long-overdue changes since the Second Vatican Council. Despite none of its core demands being implemented under canon law, the group has inspired more bishops to support ending mandatory celibacy and advocating for women's ordination. Under Pope Francis, while initial hopes for reform were high, concrete changes in daily church life remain limited.
We Are Church has been campaigning for 30 years, pushing for an end to mandatory celibacy, women in the priesthood, less hierarchy, greater lay participation, and a shift away from an emphasis on sexual morality. The group's influence is evident in the growing number of bishops supporting its demands. The German Bishops' Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics have recognized We Are Church's contributions and taken its demands seriously.
The abuse scandal in 2010 and the subsequent decline in church membership and new priests have further fueled the debate. The Synodal Path, initiated in late 2019, thoroughly discussed We Are Church's reform priorities. Pope Francis' election in 2013 marked a shift, ending prohibitions on thought and speech within the Church. However, Pope Leo XIV maintains the traditional Vatican position on women's ordination, acknowledging women's vital role but promoting other ways to increase their responsibility.
While We Are Church's core demands remain unmet under canon law, its advocacy has sparked significant discussion and change in attitudes among bishops. The organization's influence has grown, with more reform groups emerging and the Church acknowledging its contributions. Despite challenges and setbacks, We Are Church continues to push for a more inclusive and participatory Catholic Church.
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