Why Are You Going Against the Catholic Church? The Answer Is Simple...

(Sometimes we get questions from concerned Catholics who are sincerely trying to understand the reasons we are disobeying an unjust man-made church law to follow the Spirit in prophetic obedience)

We look directly to Jesus and also to Mary. Many of us are ,in fact, mothers, grandmothers, foster and adoptive mothers, and all of us care for God's little ones from the cradle to the grave-ALL of God's beloved people. We follow our beloved Christ in all ways, and remember the part of the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-53) where Mary says:God "has scattered those who are proud ...brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble...has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty..." thereby setting the tone for Jesus'teachings and his love for the poor, women, strangers, the outcast and those who were out of step with the priests of his day,especially the Pharisees.

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of that day many times to show that God wanted something more of us. Where the "Magisterium" or canon or tradition of any church and its "rulers" declare teachings that are not in accordance with the love and equality and inclusiveness of Jesus - we have the courage to change that while remaining faithful to Jesus.
Judy Lee, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests.
http://associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org

Another issue raised by critics of our movement is "you should imitate Mary, who was silent and docile"

A RCWP Responds::

"We do, also, respect the role of Mary, mother of Jesus. I, however, do not see her as a silent, docile woman. I remember her as a woman who, through strength and determination, overcame the stigma of being seen as an un-wed mother; conquered the fearfulness of being "homeless" when she was about to give birth; defeated the challenges of being an immigrant to the land of Egypt in order to save her baby son's life; and endured the horror of seeing her only child become a perfectly innocent victim of capital punishment - as she stood at the foot of the cross, with amazing strength. I remember, too, that she was the one who set her son Jesus on his path to ministry as she ignored his claim that his "time had not come" at the wedding feast of Cana. Mary was called to a unique role in the life of Jesus and our Church. She was not - in my way of thinking - docile or quiet!"

Mary Ann Schoettly, RCWP/USA

www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org