\"Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are\" (Augustine of Hippo). AS CATHOLICS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS, our faith calls us to be a people of hope. We desire to move beyond our anger over the \"way things are\" and act with courage so that things \"do not remain the way they are.\" WE ARE ONE and Louise Lears, Elsie McGrath, Rose Marie Hudson, Marek Bozek and the excommunicated members of St. Stanislaus Kostka are all a part of us. Official edicts cannot divide us. \"We have all been enclosed within God.\" (Julian of Norwich). WE WERE THERE in spirit on November 11, 2007 at Central Reform Congregation. We affirm the full participation of women in all the ministries of the Catholic Church. \"There is in Christ and in the church no inequality on the basis of race or nationality, social condition or sex\" (The Church in the Modern World #32). WE SEEK A CHURCH that respects the primacy of conscience and embodies its commitment that all are equal. We bow before one another, acknowledging our shortcomings. Working together we trust that our lives, our institutions, and our times can be redeemed. \"There still stands one\'s own conscience, which must be obeyed before all else, if necessary even against the requirement of ecclesiastical authority\" (Cardinal Ratzinger). WE GROAN AS A WOMAN IN LABOR for the birth of a church that: -promotes full participation of women in all the ministries and decision making bodies, -is welcoming to and open and affirming of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members of our faith, -collaborates with all communities seeking justice and peace, embracing Jesus\' stance of nonviolence, -is transparent and fully discloses diocesan finances, -includes lay leadership at all levels of decision making, -respects and dialogues with all faith communities, -nourishes all who are hungry with the Bread of Life, providing the Sacraments to all as instruments of grace not rewards for perfect conformity. In humility and love,

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