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"The leadership of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers has voted on whether they
will dismiss Fr. Roy Bourgeois, a longtime peace activist who has come under
scrutiny for his support of women's ordination, from the order.
While the
outcome and timing of the vote is unclear, the order's communications manager
confirmed with NCR on Wednesday it had taken place."
"All these American bishops are speaking about freedom of conscience and exercise of religion," said Doyle. "But they will not respect one of their own people who wants to appeal to the same dynamic."
For his part, regardless of the uncertainties surrounding the dismissal vote, Bourgeois said the fact that several members of the council had apparently not endorsed his dismissal has given him a "glimmer of hope."
"I'm always talking about solidarity -- that we should be in solidarity with women called the priesthood -- and I felt it was a very good expression of solidarity with a member of the community," Bourgeois said. "To be very honest, I felt some joy and a glimmer of hope because I am fighting ... to stay in our community."
Citing the fact that he has spent 46 years with the order, 40 of those as a priest, Bourgeois said he was "grateful for the happiness, the meaning, and the hope that I found in my vocation as a priest and with my Maryknoll community."
"I just feel that I have a right like others to express openly disagreements about church teachings, without fear," he said. "Without being threatened with excommunication or the loss of one's pension."
[Joshua J. McElwee is an NCR staff writer. His email address is jmcelwee@ncronline.org.]
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