The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, with priests from America, Britain, Australia and Ireland, met in Rome between January 5 and 9 and discussed issues relating to the forthcoming Synod on the Family in response to the Holy Father’s call for reflection.

The priests voted unanimously on a statement that pledged their unwavering fidelity to the traditional doctrines regarding marriage and the true meaning of human sexuality as proclaimed in Apostolic Tradition, Holy Scripture, the Magisterium and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

These priests committed themselves to presenting the Good News about marriage and family life and helping, with Jesus’ compassion, those who struggle to follow the Gospel in a secular society.

They affirmed the importance of upholding the Church’s traditional discipline regarding the reception of the sacraments and that doctrine and practice must remain firmly and inseparably in harmony.

It would be a very wise and warranted step were the Maltese Episcopal Conference, alongside the Maltese and Gozitan clergy, to issue a similar declaration, of course, after the new Archbishop of Malta will be made known.