In December 2009, Pope Benedict signed a decree that cleared the way for Mother Mary MacKillop's canonization in 2010. Mother MacKillop will be Australia's first saint.
Sister of St. Joseph, Pauline Morgan said: "She was a woman of courage... and a woman of action... When she saw a need like the poor children not being educated, or the elderly in distress..."whenever there was a need she tried to do something about it."
Her daring spirit led to clashes with the local church officials that resulted in excommunication and the disbanding of her religious order. The hierarchy objected to the Sisters living in remote areas where they served farm workers and laborers. Later the bishop, who had initiated the excommunciation, lifted the unjust censure and a church commission vindicated Mother Mary MacKillop and the Sisters.
In 2005, Pope Benedict canonized Mother Theodore Guerin, another pioneering woman, who during her lifetime was also excommunicated by her local bishop.
Is Pope Benedict sending a message that faith-filled women who follow their consciences and who endure the wrath of the hierarachy, including excommunication can become role models for the whole church? The good news is that excommunication is not a barrier to canonization. It is certainly true that the hierarchy has a track record of excommunicating holy women in one century, then canonizing them in another century. Some things never change! For many, the most painful persecution comes from within one's own faith family. For others, it may be a badge of honor and a possible fast track to holiness!
Pope Benedict excommunicated Roman Catholic Womenpriests in 2008. I wonder how long it will take the Vatican to recognize our movement as a prophetic gift leading the Catholic Church into its future as an inclusive community, where women take their rightful places as equals, and where justice is a reality for all God's people.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
1 comment:
Bishop Meehan,
It seems that you and your movement value what the popes have to say, otherwise an excommunication wouldn't mean anything to you one way or another. If you acknowledge the pope's role in canonizations, you must surely acknowledge his role in the rest of the Church. Why then won't you accept his role as the head of the visible Church? The head of the visible Church has already taught us that the ordination of women cannot be. Why is that not enough?
The RCWP was not excommunicated because the Church is afraid of you. It is a measure given in the hopes that you will come back from error--a dangerous error that may have horrible eternal consequences not only for you but for those you serve. Excommunications are given in the hopes that they will be quickly removed.
--Cliff
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