Vatican Bullying Will Not Stop Movement for Justice and Equality for Women in Catholic Church in Australia

Christopher Pearson
From: The Australian
May 07, 2011
"What are the likely repercussions for the Australian Catholic Church?
Morris's departure will further fortify the position of Cardinal George Pell and the more traditionally minded bishops.
The more realistic, liberal bishops are going to have to kiss goodbye to any lingering fantasies they clung to in the 90s of ordaining nuns, or at least keep them to themselves.
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
I disagree with the author's analysis. While it is true that the pope's firing of Bishop Morris is meant to intimidate the bishops, priests, nuns and anyone under the control of the institutional church! However, it is also an opportunity to be prophetic witnesses for justice for women in the church, including the ordination of women in a renewed priestly ministry. It gives me great hope that there are courageous priests like Maryknoll Fr. Roy Bourgeois, who co-presided at Janice, Sevre-Duszynska's ordination as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest and bishops like Bishop Morris, who expressed an open attitude to solving the shortage of priests with married priests and women priests. It is also encouraging to hear public criticism of the Vatican's abuse of power from priests groups like the Australian Priests who challenged the Vatican in its removal of Bishop Morris. They are joining other reform minded Catholics who love the church enough to speak truth to power.
The Bible teaches that God is always on the side of the oppressed. And women are definitely excluded from equal status in the Catholic Church. Canon law prohibits women from official decision-making roles in the church. Only the ordained are allowed this function. In a world where women are heads of state and presidents of companies, Catholic women are not allowed to officate at the sacraments or preach at regular Sunday worship. Women are treated like second class members of their own church. But now there is hope. We have Roman Catholic Women Priests. And the Vatican , the gift that keeps on giving, is placing its finger in a dike. But the dam has broken and there is a river of hope and promise, spilling forth, women priests, renewing the church with deep love and faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus. Roman Catholic Women Priests are part of the movement for the full equality of women in the Catholic Church which is the voice of God in our time.
I believe the Spirit is a'moving and before long we will see Catholic communities in Australia calling women to be ordained as priests to serve the church there. The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests stand in solidarity with the women called to priesthood in Australia and offer our prayerful support to Bishop Morris, who has inspired millions of Catholics, as he continues to stand in his truth. When the history of the church is written, Bishop Morris will be one of its heroes.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004