ASSOCIATION
OF ROMAN
CATHOLIC WOMEN PRIESTS
Vision:
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is committed to
a renewed model of ordained ministry in an inclusive community of equals in the
Roman Catholic Church.
Mission:
MISSION STATEMENT
The
Association of Roman Catholic women priests, therefore, responds to
this call from the Holy Spirit , in our time, by
preparing, ordaining and supporting qualified women and men,
from all states of life, who are committed to a model of Church grounded
in Jesus' vision of an open table, where all are welcome.
By
our living and ministering within a community of equals, we are respectful of
differences among people.
In the
tradition of our mystics and prophets, we challenge the dominance of patriarchal
systems by promoting practices of equality that lead us to recognize and
stand for justice on behalf of all people, locally and globally, and on behalf
of the urgent needs of eco-justice for our planet.
Values:
1. Equality
We believe women and men are created whole and equal by God and
as baptized persons can equally represent Christ. We ordain women and
men in Apostolic Succession as a matter of justice and faithfulness to the
Gospel. Because equality is a human right, we are called to work for structural,
systemic change that eliminates discrimination and sexism in the church and in
the world.
2. Justice
We strive to live as justice makers in right relation to self,
to others, and to the earth. Aware of the interconnectedness of all, we believe
that action on behalf of justice is constitutive to the Gospels. Because we
understand how unjust structures marginalize people on the basis of class,
religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, and mental and physical challenges,
we collaborate to create alternative structures that are inclusive of all and
are deeply based in the traditions of social justice within our church.
3. Accountability
Accountability is a hallmark of our commitment to circular
leadership. We are co-responsible to live our vision of a renewed
priestly ministry in a community of equals. We are called to be open to
the Spirit as our movement evolves and grows. As models of empowerment, we are
united in vision and mission, and respectful of our differences, and we
open ourselves to ongoing discussion and prayer in actualizing this
responsibility.
4. Collegiality
Our vision is to live as a community of equals in decision
making as an organization and within all our faith communities. We make
decisions by using a circular model including consensus
and/or democratic vote of all members. We reject all forms of domination
and control.
5. Prophetic Obedience
We are called by the Spirit to read the signs of the times and
to respond in solidarity with the human rights and justice movements of
our times. As disciples of Jesus, we stand on the margins with the
marginalized, advocating for justice rising up in our church and world.
Illumined by the mystical and prophetic tradition, we use the insights of
evolutionary, feminist, liberation, womanist, and mujerista theologies in our
spiritual and professional ministerial development.
6. Spirituality:
Spirituality is at the heart of our commitment to the Holy One.
We are called to be women and men of prayer and action. All of life
is sacrament, a sign of God's presence that reflects our holiness as
co-creators in the community of life. Through conscious awareness and committed
activism, we work for a more just, peaceful and egalitarian church and world
where all beings thrive together. As members of the Community of the
Baptized, we are aware that the entire church celebrates sacraments. We preside
at sacramental liturgies in inclusive, empowered, egalitarian communities where
all are welcome to experience God’s extravagant love.
7. Compassion:
Compassion allows us as healers to enter into the journey of
others in times of heart break, grief and loss. In all our
communications, we strive for deep understanding, and we respond with
openness to listen, to learn, and to love and to share God's faithful presence
always with others in their struggles.
IN
SUMMARY
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) is an
international community within the International Roman Catholic Women Priests
Movement. As a community of equal disciples, our calling is first
and foremost to follow Jesus the Christ, our model of liberation, and to grow
in unity with all in the heart of God. Aware of our deep connectedness to
one another, and to the community of creation, our mission is to
live Gospel justice and inclusiveness by ordaining women and men as equals and
partners in the Roman Catholic Church.
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