EQUALITY FOR ALL BAPTISED

OUT OF LOVE AND CONCERN FOR THE CHURCH

FIVE DEMANDS OF WE ARE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL 2024

1. Shared Decision Making

All believers are of equal value and equal worth! The divide between people with and without priestly ordination must be overcome! Only in this way can the diversity of talents and charisms be fully realised again. People without priestly ordination must be equally represented at all levels and in all church committees and have a say in decision-making through appropriate democratic structures.

We need written rights for all believers (a church constitution), separation of powers, decentralised decision making and fair procedures. The church leadership must justify its decisions with transparency and accountability.

The local churches must have a say in the appointment of bishops and be able to co-decide (bishops should be those who enjoy the trust of the people)!

2. Full equality for all genders

We urgently demand access for all genders to all ecclesiastical ministries, including the ordained ministry.

The exclusion of women and LGBTQ+ people from church offices cannot be justified biblically. The church can no longer do without the wealth of skills and life experiences of women and non-binary people. This also applies to leadership positions and all sacramental acts.

3. Free choice between a celibate and non-celibate lifestyle

The link between the ordained ministry and the celibate way of life is not biblically and dogmatically binding, but has grown historically and can therefore be changed. The right of congregations to celebrate the Eucharist and provide leadership is more important than a canonical regulation.

The theology of the current ordination of priests is not comprehensible and creates clericalism and a sacral exaggeration of the functions and the persons exercising them. - A different form of ordination must be developed.

4. Positive evaluation of sexuality as an important part of human beings created and affirmed by God

The responsible decision of conscience in questions of sexual morality (e.g. conception regulation and sexual identity and orientation) must be recognised.

Blanket condemnations (e.g. in relation to premarital relationships or in questions of queer identities) must have no place in a community that is committed to love of neighbour.

The "natural law" of bisexuality in Catholic sexual morality must be cancelled and adapted to modern scientific findings!

The Vatican must fully support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights promoting gender equality and gender justice and must not insist on the ideology of difference and complementarity between men and women.

5. Good news instead of a threatening message

Our Christian message prioritises helping and encouraging support and solidarity over fear-inducing and restrictive norms!

What is largely happening at church community level should also be demanded of church pronouncements: namely when dealing with people in difficult situations (e.g. remarried divorcees, married priests without ministry and especially trans people), instead of merciless harshness and severity, more understanding and willingness to reconcile and encourage!