TO: POPE FRANCIS
Catholics all around the world are served by the faithful actions of
Roman Catholic Women Priests, who lead inclusive worshipping communities and live
out Pope Francis' "Church of Mercy" every day. However, these priests have been
excommunicated simply for following their call. Pope Francis-we are Catholics
and people of faith and goodwill who support women priests, because they have
changed our lives for the better. Hear our call, and lift the unjust
excommunications of these priests and their
supporters.
Why is this important?
Pope Francis says that "No one can be excluded from the mercy of
God...[the Church's] doors remain wide open." Pope Francis has demonstrated his
commitment to this mercy by reaching out to other orders of priests who have
broken away from the church. In this spirit, we ask Pope Francis to affirm
primacy of conscience for the women priests worldwide. In prophetic obedience to
the Spirit, women priests live a renewed priestly ministry in communities of
faith that welcome all and exclude no one.
Roman Catholic Women Priests, who stand in apostolic succession serve in
a renewed priestly ministry in a community of equals. Those of us who are
divorced and remarried, who are LGBTQ, and who have struggled with the Catholic
faith, have found spiritual shelter in their worshipping communities. Here, we
can fully participate in the Word of Jesus and the sacraments. They are living
the Gospel message of radical inclusion.
Pope Francis, you have inspired the world with your message of a merciful
Church, and we now implore you to live up to your message. Use the power of your
office to open wide the doors to dialogue and lift all excommunications and
ecclesiastical punishments against Roman Catholic Women Priests and their
supporters. We are the Church. Listen to our cry for
justice.
How it will be delivered
This petition will be delivered by a woman priest to the Vatican on June
3rd, during the Jubilee for Women Priests hosted by Women's Ordination Worldwide
and the Women's Ordination
Conference.
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