Feast of St. Mary Magdala: Pope Francis Ushers in Era of Hope in the Church

From the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP)

www.arcwp.org

For immediate release: July 22, 2016

Media contacts:

Janice Sevre-Duszynska, 859-684-4247, rhythmsofthedance1@gmail.com

Bridget Mary Meehan, 703-505-0004,

 sofiabmm@aol.com

See: bridgetmarys.blogspot.com

As the Vatican upgrades the feast day of Mary of Magdalene, Roman Catholic Women Priests celebrate 10 years of creating communities that include and removing barriers that exclude. This means that everyone has a place at the Eucharistic table and all are welcome to receive sacraments.

On July 31, 2006, 12 women were ordained on the Majestic Riverboat on the three rivers near Pittsburgh, thus beginning the movement for gender justice in the Catholic Church in the US. The international Women Priest Movement has grown from the Danube Seven in 2002 to over 225 in 13 countries in 2016. As we celebrate Mary of Magdalene and our 10-year anniversary of priesthood in the U.S., we continue to work for the full equality of women in the church and in the world.

We rejoice that there are glimmers of hope coming from Pope Francis’ Vatican on women’s leadership in the church.

1-Our ARCWP reps Christina Moreira and Janice Sevre-Duszynska met with a high level Curia official in Rome on May 31^st, 2016.

http://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-vatican-door-cracks-open-to-women.html

http://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/2016/07/christina-moreira-vazquez-arcwp-woman.html

2- Recently Pope Francis upgraded the July 22^nd feast day celebration of Mary of Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles.

https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-elevates-memorial-st-mary-magdalene-feast-day

3-In response to pressure from the International Superiors General, Pope Francis promised a commission to study the diaconate for women. We hope that the nuns hold Francis’ feet to the fire. He also needs to look at the scholarship covering the evidence from Early Christianity supporting women deacons.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/world/europe/pope-says-hes-open-to-studying-whether-women-can-serve-as-deacons.html?_r=0

4-Not long ago, Pope Francis selected a Spanish woman to be his #2 spokesperson. Isn’t it time for women to be in the top decision-making roles at the Vatican?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/07/11/pope-francis-names-first-american-and-first-woman-as-his-1-and-2-spokespeople/