Movements appeal for changes to make Eucharist more accessible

Published: 2005-10-04

ROME (CNS) -- International and U.S. Catholic movements pushing for changes in the church appealed to the world's bishops to discuss issues such as married priests and inter-Communion that would make the Eucharist more accessible to the Christian faithful. Representatives from the international We Are Church movement and the U.S. national coalition of FutureChurch were in Rome for a press briefing Oct. 4 about their lobbying efforts before and during the Oct. 2-23 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist. The synod fathers have to consider "the effect on the Catholic community as a eucharistic people if we do not do something about the priest shortage," said Sister Christine Schenk, a Sister of St. Joseph and founder of FutureChurch. If there are not enough priests to minister to the growing numbers of Catholics in the world "we will not continue to be a eucharistic people," she told Catholic News Service.

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