It ends with the appeal: "The exercise of authority in our church should emulate the standards of openness, accountability and democracy achieved in modern society.
Leadership should be seen to be honest and credible; inspired by humility and service; breathing concern for people rather than preoccupation with rules and discipline.
"[1] The idea was born when a group of reform-minded Catholic theologians met at an international conference on 'Handing On the Torch' (Utrecht, 2010).
They concluded that in many areas of the Church's life progress is blocked by an imbalance in the exercise of authority.
[3] On 5 March 2013, the Catholic Scholars' Declaration was publicly launched for England by an endorsement ceremony in the Houses of Parliament, London.