On the Day he opened the Second Vatican Council, October 11, 1962, beloved Pope John XXIII addressed these visionary and prophetic words to the world's Bishops:

The Council now beginning rises in the Church like a daybreak, a forerunner of the most splendid light. It is now only dawn.

As members of the Church, the People of God, we are responding to the call of the Holy Spirit to rekindle the fire of promise ignited by the Second Vatican Council. The movement for renewal is spreading across the globe. More than 2.3 million Austrian and German Catholics have signed petitions calling for needed reforms. Similar initiatives are under way in Australia, Belgium, France, Holland, Italy and the United States, and now in Canada.

By our Baptism, and through our life experiences, we all have a right and a responsibility to recommend positive action. We are called to restore the vision of a renewed Church, more faithful to its mission as a sign of God's saving work and servant of the human community.

The needs are great, but so are our talents. By signing this Vision Statements we are accepting our call as men and women of faith. We are lending our voices to the task of renewing the Church to meet the needs of our time.

1. a church that mirrors the compassion of Jesus in dealing with all people. especially those who are broken and alienated;
   

2. increased ecumenical and inter-faith action on behalf of social justice, non-violence, and the preservation of the earth;
   

3. an all-pervading atmosphere of freedom among the People of God:
   
   • freedom for theologians to research, publish and teach without censure
     
   • freedom to inform and follow one's conscience
     
   • freedom for priests to be celibate or marry
     
   • freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation
     
   • freedom of access to the Sacraments by divorced and remarried Catholics;
     

4. extensive consultation with the Catholic people in developing Catholic teaching on human sexuality;
   

5. the opening of all Church ministries and decision-making bodies to the gifts of all the faithful, including women;
   

6. the collegial participation of the people of the Diocese in the selection of their Bishop.