ANALYSIS:" The Vatican must no longer be granted immunity from equality legislation, in the name of liberty, equality, and even the Gospel, "writes MARY CONDREN
"THE VATICAN’S recent Normae de Gravioribus Delictis document prescribes automatic excommunication for anyone involved in the ordination of a woman. In according greater penalties to those who “attempted” women’s ordination than to clerics who abused children, it has further shocked many loyal Irish Catholics, prompting them to inquire about the theological reasons why the Roman Catholic Church objects to women’s ordination."
I agree completely with Mary Condren The Vatican decision to classify women's ordination as a grave crime against the sacraments is the last straw for the majority of Catholics who believe in Gospel equality. Sadly, the Vatican is creating a toxic atmosphere for women in the church and unintentionally caused a tipping point. One woman who emailed me recently said that she could no longer go to her local parish because the church was too toxic.
Likewise, recently, a young woman who completed twelve years of Catholic School, recently gave me a "high-five" for challenging the Vatican's condemnation of womenpriests. RCWP is offering hope to people today who live in a world where partnership is the norm and equal pay for equal work is the law.
Womenpriests are visible reminders that women are equal images of God. We are not defective males unworthy of presiding at sacramental worship as St. Thomas Aquinas taught. God created women and men in the divine image. Who are the men in the Vatican to treat women as inferior, not capable of imaging Christ as a priest simply because we are not male? What a sexist view of the subordination of women!
Women and men of the church, join us on the long march to freedom, justice and equality. Let us gather with kindred supporters from all faiths and no faith who walk in solidarity with us from around the world. Let us proclaim as St. Paul wrote in Galations that in Christ, "there is neither male nor female, all are one..." Let us pray, demonstrate and work for the renewal of our church of a renewed priestly ministry in a community of equals. Let us live as if this dream is a reality in our grassroots communities as we become the church of our dreams!. Then sooner or later, the Vatican will catch up and embrace the full equality of women as the Body of Christ in all ministries in our church including Holy Orders!
Bridget Mary Meehan
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004
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