About us
FutureChurch was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1990. The Church
of the Resurrection in Solon, Ohio passed a resolution calling on
U.S. Bishops to reconsider opening ordination to women and the married,
both men, and women, so that the Eucharist would continue to be
the center of the spiritual lives of all Catholics. Subsequently,
28 parishes in Northeast Ohio supported this initiative and the
local FutureChurch network was born. In response to a national call
to recognize that he Eucharist is more important to Catholic identity
than celibacy or the gender of the presider, FutureChurch incorporated
in 1993 and grew into a national network of parish based activists.
FutureChurch is concerned about the related
issues of women in ministry, optional celibacy, inclusive language,
and Church decision-making that involves all the faithful, as called
for by Vatican II.
Mission Statement
FutureChurch is a national coalition of parish-centered Catholics who seek
the full participation of all baptized Catholics in the life of the Church.
FutureChurch, inspired by Vatican II, recognizes that Eucharistic Celebration
(the Mass) is the core of Roman Catholic worship and sacramental life. We advocate
that this celebration be available universally and at least weekly to all baptized
Catholics.
FutureChurch respects the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and its current
position on ordination and advocates widespread discussion of the need to open
ordination to all baptized Catholics who are called to priestly ministry by
God and the people of God.
FutureChurch seeks to participate in formulating and expressing the Sensus
Fidelium (the Spirit inspired beliefs of the faithful) through open, prayerful
and enlightened dialogue with other Catholics locally and globally.
Revised June 12, 2003
Board of Trustees
Women in Church Leadership National Advisory Committee
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you Catholic?
A resounding "yes." FutureChurch consists overwhelmingly
of Catholics in good standing. Our members include lay people as
well as priests and nuns. We respect the Catholic tradition and
are working respectfully to effect change in the Church because
we love it and want to make it better.
Are you affiliated with a certain parish?
No. However, FutureChurch considers itself parish-based because
the resolutions which founded it came from individual parishes and
because so many of our members consider the parish their primary
place of worship. Also, many of our FC projects are implemented
by parishes or parish groups. (See our mission
statement).
FutureChurch advocates for opening ordination
to all the baptized. Didn't
Jesus ordain only men?
In fact, Jesus did not ordain anyone. Ordination was a practice
that started to occur decades later in church history. Jesus had
both male and female disciples (see "Jesus
and Women" link).
What is the priest shortage all about?
In short, there are too few priests to minister to the growing number
of Catholics around the world, and to accommodate growing pastoral
needs (what is provided by parishes today is much more than in past
generations). As a result, some parishes have had to drastically
reduce the number of times Mass or the other sacraments can be offered.
Eventually, all Catholics will be affected by this.
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