Preparing for the visit of Pope Benedict XXVI: Questions Catholics would like to ask Pope Benedict

Invitation to Press conference

Tuesday 7 September 2010, 11.00-12.00 noon
Saint Andrew’s Church Hall, Short Street, Waterloo, London SE1 8LJ.

Catholic Voices for Reform invite you to a press conference to consider questions that many Catholics would like to ask Pope Benedict during his visit to the UK. Catholic Voices for Reform is a new grouping of concerned Catholics who believe that it is essential that the Church undergoes a process of reform. CV4R brings together representatives of many of the Catholic Reform Groups in Britain and, through these groups, has ecumenical, European and worldwide connections.

Although it is generally believed that Catholics seldom discuss and debate questions about their church, nothing could be further from the truth. Catholics throughout the country, at this time of preparation for the visit of Pope Benedict XXVI, are debating and questioning the future of their church.

Catholic Voices for Reform want to bring into the open a selection of questions typical Catholics would like to ask Pope Benedict. Examples of issues being debated include:
· Corruption
· Influence
· Intimidation
· Prejudice
· Mindless obedience

Questions relating to each of these issues will be addressed.

Following the press conference we will deliver a letter, addressed to Pope Benedict, to Archbishop Nichols at Archbishops House Westminster, confident that he will ensure that the Holy Father is made aware of some of the issues concerning the future of their church being discussed by Catholics in England and Wales.

All members of the press and broadcasting media are invited to attend.

We will present many of the questions that Catholics are asking about the current situation and future of their Church. Full details will be presented and questioners will be available for comment and interview.
A press pack will be available.

Please contact in the UK:

Valerie Stroud Tel. +44(0)7904 332201 email: valeriejstroud@we-are-church.org
Bernard Wynne Tel. +44(0)20 8850 6458 email: bernard.wynne@yahoo.co.uk
Myra Poole Tel. +44(0)208 874 7364 email: myrapoole@aol.com
Simon Bryden-Brook Tel. +44(0)20 7235 2841 email brydenbrook@takl21.com


Excellent questions, from Catholic Voices for Reform! I hope Pope Benedict addresses these questions. It is time for Pope Benedict to affirm the full equality of women in the church including womenpriests, and justice for victims of clergy sex abuse. We need a more transparent, accountable institutional church. No more cover-ups of crimes by priests by the hierarchy. Bridget Mary Meehan, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004