Petition

[Primitive]

This is a bold but serious question, but I have an issue.
Does anyone know if there is a way to petition or gain audience with the Pope, totally bypassing the US Conference of Catholic Bishops?
Or do I have to fly to Rome myself and knock on the door?

Is there some sort of process one would need to go through?

 

[mumto5]

Primitive:

This is a bold but serious question, but I have an issue.
Does anyone know if there is a way to petition or gain audience with the Pope, totally bypassing the US Conference of Catholic Bishops?
Or do I have to fly to Rome myself and knock on the door?

Is there some sort of process one would need to go through?

When my husband visited Rome we looked at the website and you can actually book an audience with the Pope. Pope JP II did it on Wednesday morning. I have no idea if Pope Benedict is doing the same. I’m sure there must be somewhere you can write to directly if you don’t want to make a trip. Maybe ask on EWTN? I know they have given answers to that sort of thing before.

 

[puzzleannie]

Primitive:

This is a bold but serious question, but I have an issue.
Does anyone know if there is a way to petition or gain audience with the Pope, totally bypassing the US Conference of Catholic Bishops?
Or do I have to fly to Rome myself and knock on the door?

Is there some sort of process one would need to go through?

the process has nothing to do with the USCCB, although your local bishop might be willing to help you request an audience if yo plan to visit Rome. Most tour directors who plan pilgrimages to Rome can arrange for you to have an audience. Whether it will be a private audience is another matter, but make your travel arrangements with a Catholic travel agent who is familiar with the procedure for requesting an audience and I am sure they can answer your questions. The Pope also has an email address that was published widely right after his election. Did you check the Vatican website?

If your purpose in seeking an audience is to complain in person about your own bishop or affairs in your diocese, which would be completely inappropriate in such a setting on such an occasion, it would be much better served if you follow the procedure ordained for such complaints, which has been dissected at great length elsewhere on these forums.