The Association of Roman Catholic
Women Priests Calls for Open Dialogue with Pope Francis
Release date: July 30,
2013
Contact: Janice Sevre-Duszynska,
D.Min. (Media) rhythmsofthedance@gmail.com,
859-684-4247
Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, sofiabmm@aol.com,
703-505-0004
The
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests calls on Pope Francis to open a
dialogue on women priests and gender equality, following the example of Saint
Francis and Saint Clare. It is time for the full equality of women in the
Catholic Church and for Pope Francis to drop “definitive” and discriminatory
practices.
The good news
is that justice is rising up among the people in many grassroots communities. A
CBS Gallup poll cites that 70% of U.S. Catholics support women priests. Male
priests’ organizations in Austria, Ireland, Germany and elsewhere are also
expressing public support.
Our movement
is living Gospel equality now in inclusive, sacramental ministries where all are
welcome at the abundant table of God's overflowing love and tender compassion.
We dedicate ourselves to prophetic obedience to the Spirit in loving service to
God's people wherever we are to promote justice and equality for all especially
those on the margins of society.
Jesus provided
an example of Gospel equality by calling both women and men, and treating them
as equals. The Vatican's own scholars, the Pontifical Biblical Commission, in
1976 concluded that there is nothing in Scripture to prevent women's ordination.
In early Christianity, both women and men presided at Eucharist in house
churches. Catholic scholars, like Gary Macy and Dorothy Irvin, conclude that
women were ordained in the early centuries of our church’s history.
It is our hope
and prayer that Pope Francis embraces women as beloved sisters and partners in
the Gospel as Saint Francis embraced his mentor, Saint
Clare.
See: www.arcwp.org
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