**Beliefs about Church Leadership and Authority**

We respect the Pope as an influential leader and teacher within the Church, though we recognize that our personal perspectives on faith and morality may sometimes differ from his. The Pope holds significant authority in matters of doctrine and spiritual guidance, but individual conscience also plays a vital role in our faith journey.

**Beliefs about Birth Control**

We view decisions about birth control as personal and private, best made by couples based on their own informed consciences. We do not consider the use of artificial contraception, even within marriage, to be inherently sinful.

**Beliefs about Divorce**

While we acknowledge that divorce can be deeply painful, we do not see it as an unforgivable offense. We support the full inclusion of divorced individuals in the life and sacraments of the Church, and we believe the Church should recognize the reality of divorce among its members.

**Beliefs about Lay Participation**

We believe that lay members should have a voice in the Church’s governance and that clergy ought to be accountable to the wider community. Though bishops have significant responsibilities, laypeople should also participate in the Church’s administrative decisions.

**Beliefs about the Priesthood**

We support the idea that priests should have the option to marry if they choose. We also do not believe that celibacy should be a mandatory requirement for ordination.

**Beliefs about Other Christian Churches**

We view non-Catholic Christian communities as sincere expressions of faith with their own rich traditions. We do not believe these communities are defective or that their members are spiritually endangered because of their differences from the Catholic Church.

**Beliefs about Holy Communion**

We believe that Holy Communion during Mass should be open to all Christians who approach with sincere faith, regardless of denominational affiliation or beliefs about papal infallibility. We do not support restricting access to Communion only to Catholics or those who fully accept the Pope’s authority.

**Beliefs about Sexuality**

We affirm that sexual intimacy ideally belongs within marriage, but we do not believe that committed, mature adults in loving relationships are automatically guilty of sin if their relationship exists outside of marriage. We also do not accept that all premarital sex is necessarily a grave or mortal sin.

**Beliefs about LGBTQ Individuals**

We recognize gay and lesbian people as valuable members of the faith community and reject the idea that their sexual orientation is “disordered.” Regardless of our personal understanding, we uphold their dignity and worth.