History of Catholic Church Reform International

History of Catholic Church Reform International through the media and press releases

Catholic Church Reform Int’l (CCRI) was founded in June 2013 shortly after the election of Pope Francis by Rene Reid and Robert Blair Kaiser. A teleconference was held in early September with over 60 reform-minded leaders on the call representing about ten different countries. There the members determined that, despite our many different causes, we shared one thing in common: our commitment that the People of God deserved to have a determinative voice in the governance of our Church. They wrote a letter on behalf of all of all the members to Pope Francis to this effect: https://catholicchurchreformintl.org/seeking-dialogue-with-the-pope-and-our-bishops/

In early September, 2013 a press release was held in multiple cities around the globe announcing this joint effort: https://catholicchurchreformintl.org/reform-groups/

By July 2014, CCRI organized an event in Rome to coincide with the Bishops Synod on the Family. The event was promoted in the National Catholic Reporter (NCR): https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/where-i-stand/invited-or-not-here-they-come.

In October 2014, the event occurred during a two-day event near the Pantheon. It was covered in several media sources:

National Catholic Reporter: Catholic Church Reform’s alternate gathering on the family highlights lay vocation | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org)

Boston Globe – Crux, October 3, 2014 https://cruxnow.com/church/2014/10/reformers-to-pope-francis-dont-wait-for-the-bishops

NCR, Josh McElewee, October 2, 2014    Reform group in Rome calls for family input at synod | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org)

Where is the democracy at the synod on the family? | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org)

Afterwards, the group gathered in St. Peter’s Square https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=415943227367104&set=a.415943194033774

As CCRI raises our banner asking for Families to have a vote in Family Synods, we are surrounded by the gendarmes. The Vatican police took the passport of organizer, Rene Reid, which garnered the support of the other reformers gathered. After what seemed like an eternity of a couple of hours, they returned her passport and gave the group permission to hold up sign: “Families must have vote in Family Synod.” 

October 24, 2014: https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-asking-us-take-sides

A year later, in February 2015, CCRI was again in the media: Global church reform group backs US request for married priests dialogue | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org)

February 27, 2015  https://www.ncronline.org/news/parish/international-church-group-enters-synod-fray-alternative-survey

April 8, 2016: Press release: Amoris Laetitia gives hope at the grass roots for a more responsive Church – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org)

September 1, 2016: Catholic Reform Group Urges New Department for the Laity, Family, and Life to Actively Collaborate with Lay-led Initiatives – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org)

November 2016 Advocates for Reform See Continuity in Comments of Pope Francis on Women’s Ordination – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org)

December 22, 2016 Catholic Reform Group urges Pope Francisto have young people “make some noise” at the Synod on Youth – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org)

July 12, 2017 Church Reform Global Network assures Pope Francis of backing of majority Catholics – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org)

August 17, 2017 Church reform groups support call for Year of the Laity | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org)

February 2019 Bishops Must Share Their Authority if the Sex Abuse Crisis is to be Resolved – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org)

May 2020 Francis wants us to move away from that monarchical model – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org)

July 2022 International Representatives Find Unanimous Agreement – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org)

June 4, 2023 Disappointed in how the US Conference of Bishops conducted their Region XVI Continental Synod, CCRI is taking action to have a member of this gathering chosen to participate in the General Assembly in Rome  CCRI calls for a reform-minded Catholic representing U.S. Region XVI to be included in the Synod in Rome this October – Catholic Church Reform International (catholicchurchreformintl.org)

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Speaking Out with One Unified Global Voice

"...Until we raise a common voice, we will not only not be heard, we will not even be listened to....   

My hope is that by speaking out together - a strong chorus of calls for reform - we can provide a common, a clear, a strong and ongoing voice for the yet incomplete vision of Vatican II.

In common cause, let us band together across the world. By our desire to be heard on particular issues - all of them important - let us not lose the strength of our common voice by reducing it to a whisper.

In light of this, we invite individuals and organizations to join together in making known our opinions for the good of our Church. By uniting our voices, it is not about abandoning the unique work of your organization but rather about how your work can enhance global reform."

Sr. Joan Chittister, CCRI Special advisor

"We have to join our forces in order to reach a real breakthrough in this window of opportunity." Hans Kung, CCRI Consultor


"When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion." [Ethiopian proverb]


"Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable." [Kenyan proverb]

"(The Christian faithful) have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful." (Canon 212 §3)

CCRI is also interested in helping support various causes in regions of the world by garnering the support of our entire global community for those who need support beyond their parish, organization, or locale. Send us (1) your name and affiliation, or (2) the name of your group with some description of your goals, membership, and numbers. Click here to see those organizations who have already joined together speaking out for reform of our Church.



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