A group of young people who wish to renounce their faith and be disassociated from the Catholic Church have accused the Curia of not cooperating with their wishes and are threatening legal action.

Not In Our Name was formed in June to help baptised Catholics who wanted to disassociate themselves from the Church officially. The group said they contacted the Church on July 6 to ask whether it was possible to set a date when all those interested could meet the Curia Chancellor for the baptismal register to be annotated in a way that showed that the people in the group were no longer members of the Church.

The group said the Chancellor refused to receive the people as a group, insisting he would only see them individually. Each person would also have to undergo an interview. The group said that, as a compromise, it suggested that three people be received in one day but on an individual basis because 23 out of 41 people in the group said they felt more comfortable in the company of others. The group said the Chancellor told them he knew of their cause and did not want to help in the propaganda against the Church. Attempts were made to set up meetings with the Chancellor but, according to the group, he proved to be evasive and, ultimately, refused to accept the proposition.

“Not In Our Name considers the Curia’s behaviour unhelpful, insensitive and obstructive. The organisation also believes that it has exhausted all approaches that would enable it to fulfil its commitment towards people who are interested in defection and, at the same time, need support in formally renouncing their faith.”

The group said it had sought legal advice and would be considering legal means to achieve its goal.

“We believe that it is the right of all our members as responsible adults not to be impeded in any way from terminating their association with the Catholic Church, and will henceforth not recognise the need for our members to undergo the Chancellor’s interview,” the group said.