Bishops want next pope to reform church governance

Pray Tell
Feb. 21, 2013

Bishops in the U.K. are being surprisingly open and forthright in their calls for reform in church governance.

The Bishop of Menevia, Tom Burns, said that following Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, it was time to reform the Vatican’s “monarchical style and turgid bureaucracy” and introduce greater consultation and a “root-and-branch review of the method of appointing bishops.”

He told The Tablet: “Conservatism has had its day. It doesn’t work. Despite all Benedict’s efforts, the Church is losing its place in society … It’s time to reopen the doors and windows for a new blowing of the Spirit, a freedom of speech to search for ways ahead that will address key issues…”

Read the full story at The Tablet, with comments by Bishop Burns and others, here .