An international gathering of English-speaking clergy has issued a statement pledging their "unwavering fidelity" to the traditional doctrines of Church teaching on marriage and sexuality ahead of the family synod. The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, with priests from America, Britain, Australia and Ireland voted unanimously on a statement which said: "The International gathering of Confraternities of Catholic Clergy meeting in Rome (January 5 to 9 2015), have discussed issues pertinent to the forthcoming Synod on the Family in response to the Holy Father's call for reflection. The fathers pledge their unwavering fidelity to the traditional doctrines regarding marriage and the true meaning of human sexuality as proclaimed in the Word of God and set out clearly in the Church's Ordinary and Universal Magisterium." The British branch of the confraternity was established following Benedict XVI's Year for Priest's in 2010 with the aim of "fidelity to Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, the Magisterium, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Holy Father." The international gathering's second ever meeting concluded their statement saying: "Confraternity priests from Australia, Great Britain, Ireland and the United States commit themselves to the work of presenting anew the Good News about marriage and family life in all its fullness and helping, with the Lord’s compassion, those who struggle to follow the Gospel in a secular society. The Confraternities, furthermore, affirm 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."