Catholic Women March in Rome for Female Priesthood

(picture of liturgy led by Mary Ellen Robertson in Michigan)

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=383&sid=1497678

By ALESSANDRA RIZZO Associated Press Writer
ROME (AP) - "Catholic women seeking to become priests denounced the church's ban on female ordination as sexist and unjust, bringing their campaign close to the Vatican on Wednesday during a worldwide gathering of bishops."

"...In March, the archbishop of St. Louis excommunicated three women _ two Americans and a South African _ for participating in a woman's ordination. They were part of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement, which began in 2002."

Commentary: It is time for the Roman Catholic Church to cross the Tiber and affirm womenpriests

Several hours ago, I received a call from an Associated Press Reporter in the United States in response to this article which is now both on mainstream print, tv and internet sites. All it takes is a few courageous people to change the world!! (evidence of the Spirit's movement in the church)

Roman Catholic Womenpriests are building a bridge across the chasm of patriarchy to help God's people cross over from the hierarchial model of church to an open, participatory, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, partnership community of equals-- a model of church that resembles the Gospel equality of Jesus and the early church community tradition.

As the women advocates of a renewed priestly ministry crossed the Tiber, so Roman Catholics around the world cross a new threshold from sexism rooted in discrimination to equality and justice for women in the church. It is about time that women take the rightful place as partners and equals in our beloved church.

In the reports from Vatican Synod on the Word of God, I have not heard much about the example of women as leaders in early church. Have the church fathers or the few women experts even raised the topic of the role of women like Mary of Magdala, the apostle to the apostles or deacon Phoebe, or the apostle Junia as examples for all Christians including Roman Catholics of prophetic, visionary, holy women disciples? How about the women who presided at the house church eucharists? Women, like Mary Ellen Robinson, and (many other Roman Catholic Womenpriests) are following Jesus example of partnershp and community building. We have come full circle back to house churches. I think Jesus would feel right at home in our welcoming, inclusive communities.

Let's hope that the Vatican will follow the example of Jesus who chose women and men to be his disciples. It is time for the hierarchy to cross the symbolic "Tiber" from the Vatican's policies of discrimination and exclusion on a bridge from sexism to full equality for women in the Roman Catholic Church
Bridget Mary Meehan
Roman Catholic Womanpriest