Teacher ousted for support of nun
By Dan Horn • dhorn@enquirer.com • September 14, 2009
By Dan Horn
dhorn@enquirer.com
"A volunteer religious education teacher was dismissed this weekend for publicly voicing support for Sister Louise Akers, who has beenhttp://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090902/NEWS01/309020027" target="_new">orderedby Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk to stop teaching because her backing of women priests contradicts Catholic doctrine."
"Dr. Carol Egner, a life-long Catholic and gynecologist, got into trouble when she wrote ahttp://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2009/09/04/where-in-the-bible-does-it-say-women-cant-be-priests/" target="_new">letter to the Enquirer supporting Akers.
When Egner’s pastor read her letter, he asked her to write another that either renounced her position or made clear that she “yields to the wisdom of the church.”
When she refused, she was told she could no longer teach her Old Testament class for sixth-graders at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Westwood.
“'This is frightening,” Egner said Monday. “I think it’s a step backward.'”
This action is a disgraceful abuse of power. It reflects a spirit of intimidation by church leaders who are threatened by women priests. Ask yourself, what would Jesus say and do? Jesus chose women to be disciples and equals. The Samaritan woman was the first evangelist and Mary of Magdala was chosen by Jesus to be the apostle to the apostles -- to announce the good news of his resurrection. When will the hierarchy treat women like Jesus did?
An institution that resorts to threats and punishments to enforce obedience to , man-made teaching that is rejected by the Catholic faithful is tottering on its last legs! Like the Berlin Wall,, one day, hopefully, in the not too distant future this "wall" of patriarchal oppression will come tumbling down as the people of God vote with their feet by attending womenpriests liturgies, calling forth women leaders for ordination to serve their communities, and supporting the spread of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement in grassroots communities all over the world. The time for the full equality of women in the Roman Catholic Church has come. Women, like Sr. Louise and Dr. Egner, will not be silenced! May God's Spirit inspire many more people in the pews to stand up now for justice in our beloved church and bring into being the renewal of our church.
Bridget Mary Meehan, rcwp
sofiabmm@aol.com
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