Calling themselves ‘Be the Change', the group of men and women say their mission is to promote the inclusion of women in leadership of the Catholic Church.

"As a sign of our support for Soupa, we are delighted to put our names to a global petition supporting Soupa's campaign," Jo Ayers of Be the Change told CathNews.

As well as signing the petition, the group also wrote to Soupa.

"We are delighted to learn that you have applied for the position of Archbishop of Lyon. We think you would be an Archbishop with a fresh approach," ‘Be the Change' wrote.

"If Canon Law does not allow a woman Archbishop, we support changes to canon law."

"We feel you have the knowledge and experience to become Archbishop of Lyon," they wrote.

'Be the Change' was delighted to receive a prompt response from Soupa.

"I have not embarked on this enterprise in a spirit of provocation, but to offer my hand to a Church which is imprisoned in a false sense of loyalty to the past.

"I wish candidates would stand all over the place, to show that women are there, ready and able, with a faith in their hearts that would move mountains," wrote Soupa.

"Would you have any candidates you could suggest?"

Saying they understand that Soupa's bid stands little chance of success, ‘Be the Change' say it, however, sheds light on the issue of gender equality in the Church.

"Having a qualified woman as an applicant for the See of Lyon helps us to imagine what gender equality in the Church will look like," they say.

‘Be the Change' points out that Soupa's initiative raises the possibility of a separation of the roles of governance and priesthood, a question raised by Pope Francis some years ago; in other words, does the head of a Diocese have to be an ordained priest?

"Along with many other people worldwide, we saw this as a great opportunity to encourage the discussion about the ‘invisibility' and lack of participation of women in leadership of the Catholic Church," say ‘Be the Change'.

The New Zealand group say they feel close to Soupa because Bishop Pompallier was born in Lyon and was ordained the first bishop of West Oceania.

They say he was the genesis of the fledgling Catholic Church in New Zealand and like Soupa was a pioneer who shared his faith and skill.

"The founders of 'Be the Change' are a small group of men and women deeply committed to and immersed in the life of the Church, and are theologically informed and are dedicated to the work of justice for women in the liturgy and other Church structures," one of the group's founders, Louise Shanly told CathNews.

As a sign of international solidarity, 'Be the Change' has joined the 'Australasian Coalition for Catholic Church Reform' (ACCCR).

ACCCR is a coalition of about 20 groups who are working for reform of the Church in Australia and now New Zealand.

The main focus as a group is the upcoming Plenary Council in Australia where they are lobbying hard for more just and inclusive membership of this Council and to also get items added to the agenda.

Be the Change invites new members. Those interested are invited to get in touch at: bethechange.aotearoa@gmail.com

Source: Supplied

The signatories include many household names in France, mostly from the so-called left.

They include a mayor, a former member of the lower house of parliament, a social entrepreneur and a noted economist and member of the French National Assembly.

Others have expressed support of Soupa on social media, though they have not yet signed the petition. They include the Secretary of State for Equality between Men and Women and a well known entrepreneur.

A number of Catholics are also adding their names to the petition signatories.

One who is an En Marche! Party parliamentarian, says he's "not a regularly practicing" Catholic, but strongly supports the ordination of women. He says he didn't hesitate to sign the petition and does not see it as a secularist infringement.

"I joined this initiative because I believe the Church must re-examine the place it gives to women within the Church, as well as in society," he says.

"I believe that the Church needs to be more in tune with the people again". In his view, many other Catholics believe the same thing.

Others among Soupa's supporters are Catholics involved in Church movements and advocacy groups.

First and foremost is the Conference of Baptized French-speaking Catholics (CCBF). Soupa co-founded this Conference, which is critical of the institutional Church.

One hundred and fifty CCBF members have sent the papal nuncio to France a letter supporting Soupa's candidacy.

One member involved in the pastoral care of divorced and remarried Catholics, points to the "gap" between women's place in society and in the Church - a situation she finds "increasingly unbearable".

She is representative of Catholics who are trying to "move" the institution toward reform and is relentless in criticising clericalism and promoting the role of the laity.

Soupa's initiative has struck a chord even with those who are not practicing Catholics.

It is also coming from practising Catholics like the editor-in-chief of Tere Sainte Magazine and La Croix columnist Marie-Armelle Beaulieu.

She was initially stood by the theologian after Soupa was viciously attacked.

Soupa has been "committed to the service of Christ for 40 years" and regrets that "Tradition" is being used wrongly and indiscriminately, Beaulieu says.

Although she does not support women's ordination or define herself as a feminist, Beaulieu promotes 'otherness'.

She's also shaken by the scandals marring the Church and notes God created both man and woman.

"We can't go on like this. I don't want to revolutionize everything, but the Church must address the world in which it lives."

Cécile Duflot, former government minister and leader of France's Green Party also supports Soupa.

"She's made people want to sign the petition, as baptized, when they never would have done so, and she's found the words to touch people who thought their time with the Church was over," Duflot says.

Source

• La Croix
• Image: TV5Monde

Bishop Michel Dubost, 77, now has executive responsibility for governing Lyon, whose archbishop is traditionally known as the "Primate of the Gauls".

He has been appointed as administrator "sede plena et ad nutum Sanctæ Sedis": this means he has full authority and will report directly to the pope.

Barbarin, 68, was given a six-month suspended sentence in March after he was found guilty of covering up sexual abuse by a priest.

The case against him involved abuse committed by Father Bernard Preynat at Lyon's Saint-Luc Parish, where he ran a large Catholic Scout group in the 1970s and 1980s.

Although Barbarin did not become head of the Lyon archdiocese until 2002, it was alleged that he had known of the abuse at least since 2010.

He suspended Preynat in 2015. In 2016, Preynat was charged with abuse and rape and is currently awaiting trial.

After meeting Francis in March to offer his resignation, Barbarin said Francis invoked "the presumption of innocence," and refused to accept his resignation before his appeal against his conviction is heard.

However, he said, the pope did respect his decision "to step away for a while and leave the leadership of the diocese to the vicar general," Father Yves Baumgarten.

Source

• The Tablet
• The Boston Pilot
• Image: Vatican News

His comment was made in response to questions from French media about the Cardinal of Lyon during an in-flight press conference after his visit to Morocco last weekend.

Last month Barbarin was found guilty on one count of failure to report a charge of sexual abuse against one of his priests, for which he received a six-month suspended sentence.

Although Barbarin said he will appeal the decision, he submitted his resignation to the pope on 18 March.

Francis refused it, saying in international law, as long as the judicial cause is open, the accused is presumed innocent.

After the appeal process ends with a definitive ruling "we'll see what happens," he said.

Despite Francis's stance, a special meeting of Lyon priests, deacons and lay people on 26 March voted that Barbarin should resubmit his resignation to Pope Francis within three months to end the uncertainty hanging over the archdiocese.

The meeting was called by Fr Yves Baumgarten, the vicar general appointed after Barbarin stepped aside following his conviction.

Participants at the meeting said 48 of the 50 people present supported the call for Barbarin to resubmit his resignation.

Afterwards, Baumgarten said it was "necessary to find a quick solution to the current crisis of governance so we can take a just and authentic look at these recent years." He was due to contact the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops to discuss the situation.

Source

• Crux Now
• Zenit
• The Tablet
• Image: Le Progrés

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon, who was convicted by the Lyon Correction Court, received a suspended sentence of six months for not denouncing the sexually abusive acts of Father Bernard Preynat when he was told of them in 2014 and 2015.

Preynat had already been accused of sexually abusing about 70 scouts in the 1970s and 1980s.

Barbarin was also blamed for allowing Preynat to continue to have contact with children while carrying out his work until September 2015.

Five other aides were tried with Barbarin. They were found not guilty due to a lack of evidence, or because of the historic nature of the offences.

At the sentencing, Judge Brigitte Vernay said Barbarin was "guilty of non-denunciation of mistreatment" of a minor between 2014 and 2015, the period in which he received the testimony of Alexandre Hezez who was the first victim to contact him about Preynat's abuse.

"The responsibility and guilt of the cardinal have been confirmed by this judgment. It's an extraordinary symbol, a moment of huge emotion," says Yves Sauvayre, a lawyer for the victims.

Francois Devaux, the spokesman for the victim support group La Parole Libérée, described the outcome as "historic" and as a "major victory for child protection".

He noted that such a prominent individual had never been prosecuted for these crimes in France, and he hailed the "pugnacity" of the victims.

Another organisation that supported Preynat's alleged victims says the outcome of the trial was "very important". It also called on individuals to report all cases of abuse.

Barbarin's defence lawyers say they will appeal the court's ruling.

"The reasoning of the court is not convincing," Jean-Felix Luciani says.

"We will contest this decision by all means possible. See you here in a few months for an appeal."

Source

• CNN
• La Croix
• Image: Vatican News