The Rev. William Callahan Fought for Women Priests

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2010/07/15/the_rev_william_callahan_fought_for_women_priests/

By Douglas Martin New York Times / July 15, 2010

NEW YORK — "The Rev. William R. Callahan, a Roman Catholic priest and self-described “impossible dreamer’’ whose vociferous and organized opposition to Vatican policies prompted Jesuit officials to expel him from their order, died July 5 in Washington. He was 78...

He aggravated church officials during the American tour of Pope John Paul II in 1979 by imploring priests to refuse to help the pope in celebrating Mass. Father Callahan’s hope was that more laywomen would then have to be enlisted to assist at the services...

In 1971, Father Callahan helped found the Center of Concern, an organization devoted to social justice issues. In 1975 he started Priests for Equality, to work for the ordination of women. He started the Quixote Center in 1976 with Dolly Pomerleau, who became a work partner of his for many years. They married days before he died."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/17/AR2010071702672.html

"We are often labeled dissenters," he once told an interviewer, "but we care profoundly about the church..."

In 1979, he was warned by Father Pedro Arrupe, then worldwide head of the Jesuits, to sever ties with the Quixote Center and to "refrain from any public advocacy of priestly ordination of women..."

Bill, may the angels lead you into paradise, and may the holy women bless you for your courage as a prophet who spoke truth to power and who advocated justice for women in the church including women priests. As we celebrate the feast of St. Mary of Magdala tomorrow, we will remember you, Bill ,and all our "holy ones" who have departed this earth who have stood in solidarity with the marginalized in our church and world. Presente!Bridget Mary Meehan, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004