Bridget Mary's Response:
In order to get a fuller picture about women priests in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis could begin a conversation with members of the international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement. The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests' model is a renewed priestly ministry in a community of equals . ARCWP serves inclusive communities where everyone is welcome to receive sacraments and all are equal.
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| Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community blesses one another at our weekly liturgy www.marymotherofjesus.org |
I agree with Pope Francis that clericalism is a major problem for the institutional church because of it top-down power and control structures.
In my community, Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida, there are ordained and non-ordained presiders, dialogue homilies, and community recitation of Eucharistic Prayers. The entire community elects our board of directors and much more.
If Pope Francis could experience these wonderful, flourish Christ-centered, enthusiastic communities and have actual conversations with our members, perhaps, he would see that women priests are leading the church toward gender justice and mutuality now.
Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
sofiabmm@aol.com
Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
sofiabmm@aol.com
"While the question still looms as to what he will do with the female deaconate, having formed a commission to study the issue and its relevance in modern Church life, it’s clear that he won’t proceed with a “clerical” vision in mind, yet is open and willing to investigate what the different options for women might be.
So, all in all, it’s safe to say that the discussion on women in the Church has so far been fairly limited, and it’s clear that a shift in focus in needed. It seems that we’re only beginning to scratch the surface of what the debate should really entail, and with Francis at the helm, we’re guaranteed to have a few surprises."
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