Bridget Mary's Blog

St. Brigit of Kildare- Abbess and Bishop of Kildare/Table Blessing

2012-02-01T20:43:00.000-05:00

St. Brigit of Kildare in St. Patrick's Chapel in Ballyroan, Ireland

"Then, being filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Mel read the form of ordaining a bishop over Brigit. While she was being consecrated, a brilliant fiery flame ascended from her head...."

St.Brigit’s Table Blessing

I should welcome the poor to my feast,
for they are God’s children.
I should welcome the sick to my feast
for they are God’s joy.
Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place
and the sick dance with the angels.
Bless the poor, bless the sick,
bless our human race.
Bless our food, bless our drink, all homes,
O God embrace.
Praying with Celti Holy Women by Bridget Mary Meehan and Regina Madonna Oliver
on http://www.amazon.com/Praying-Celtic-Regina-Madonna-Oliver/dp/0764809296

"One Person’s Response To Bede Griffith’s Vision" by John Chuchman

2012-01-31T22:23:00.000-05:00

The beauty of language can be found

not only in the Greek epics "Iliad" and "Odyssey"

but also in the Indian epics of "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata".

An understanding of Christian expressions of Truth

from the Eastern Orthodox

can be read in

"The Chronicles of Kiev"

and the epic-like tales of "Marko" coming out of Serbia.

Native American, Asian and tales from Oceania

present the highest qualities of humanity

(and love of God---however God was called.)

Where did this goodness,

this desire for truth,

and the exhibition of natural dignity come from?

Is it only to be found in the Western world?

Is it found only in writings of those who belong to the Catholic Church?

The study of the World's great literature

can be a foundation

to uncovering the greatness of humanity's desire

to reach to the stars,

to touch the face of God,

and then to be hugged by that God in return.

The Catholic Church has long listed “Universal” as one of its Marks.

But the term “universal” is deceptive.

Is it that the Church is found all over the world

(a tribute to the men and women missionaries)?

That is only a geographic sense of universality,

and the Church isn't thinking here about possible intelligent beings

on other solar systems---when using the term “universal.”

While geographic universality is no small achievement,

geography does not even begin to touch upon

the spiritual/philosophical concepts of universality.

Bede Griffiths' vision is so much wider, deeper and more sensitive

than anything we have seen expounded

recently from the Catholic Magisterium.

Since the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI,

Christian denominations seeking to become part of the Catholic Church

must adopt its doctrine, discipline and also its schizophrenia

especially in dealing with married men as priests,

women as priests, and with the lives of gays/lesbians.

The Catholic Church has shown little desire to discuss

with an open mind

the universality of the separated churches that are called "Christian".

If the Catholic Church is unable to engage in dialogue

(openness to listening as well as to speaking)

with other Christian confessions,

how will it be able to dialogue with peoples of other cultures, other religions?

What the hierarchy is doing now

is beating a retreat back to the fortifications of Trent.

That world is structured, settled,

and has a hierarchically ecclesiastical typology

that, in reality, thumbs its nose at those who are searching,

who value the prophetic and the charismatic,

at those who call themselves the People of God.

Benedict XVI favors Augustine's concept of reality,

the City of God (Benedict's concept of Church)

vs. the City of Man,

the relative, secular modern world.

In Benedict's "City of God"

the inhabitants must be prepared to engage in battle with

the pagan concepts of secularism and relativism.

Those who do combat

must embrace obedience, unity of thought,

compliance, docility, regimentation,

and discipline under their superiors:

the hierarchy and of course, the Curia and the Pope

(Commander in Chief).

The real tragedy is that

instead of helping people of all religions grow in their Faith,

Catholicism has been relegated by its hierarchs into being

just another competing "ism."

Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB- Refusal to Endorse "New" Vatican Liturgy

2012-01-30T20:29:00.000-05:00

Father Anthony Ruff, OSB to U.S. bishops, in which he explains his reasons for withdrawing from a speaking tour to introduce the new missal translation across the country. He had served as chairman of the music committee of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), the group at the center of the English translation process until the Vatican rejected its work and imposed its own version.

http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12688&comments=1

http://www.praytellblog.com/

http://futurechurch.org/podcasts/#ruff

"Bless You" by William J. Schuch, Naples and East Aurora, N.Y./ Naples News

2012-01-29T19:30:00.001-05:00

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jan/29/letter-bless-you/
Notwithstanding Bishop Frank Dewane's stern warning to former nun Judy Beaumont not to attempt ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood ("Church warns for woman's soul,'' Jan. 21 Daily News), I attended her valid ordination later that day at Lamb of God Lutheran-Episcopal Church in Fort Myers, which has been supporting Beaumont and Roman Catholic woman priest Judy Lee in their ministry to the needy and homeless at Joshua House, which the two women founded.
It was an inspiring event despite the mean-spirited threat of automatic excommunication for those participating in the ordination. Who knows? Maybe even I qualified for that badge of distinction.
Prior to the ordination and Mass, presided over by Bridget Mary Meehan, one of 12 validly consecrated female Roman Catholic bishops in the world, the crowd viewed the film "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican," a well-documented history of the first 12 centuries of the Church when there were married priests and female priests and bishops, and the centuries since then when females have been arbitrarily denied response to Christ's call to the priesthood by our male hierarchs who insist they are Christ's only sanctioned intermediaries.
I'm appalled at women's willingness to accept second-class church citizenship.
Maybe if they all stayed home next Sunday, the semi-empty churches might send a message to the wannabe monarchs in the chanceries throughout the Catholic world?
Be true to your gender and give it a try, ladies. Make us men proud of you.

"PINK SMOKE OVER THE VATICAN" by Jules Hart CAN NOW BE PURCHASED ONLINE

2012-01-27T20:49:00.002-05:00

The DVD Pink Smoke Over the Vatican by Jules Hart can now be purchased online!

Go to http://www.pinksmokeoverthevatican.com/

Vatican Official Warns Pope of Corruption/Needed a "Vatican Vigil" by a People-Empowered Church/ and Women Priests

2012-01-26T21:55:00.003-05:00

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2012/01/26/vatican_official_warns_pope_of_corruption/
By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press Nicole Winfield, Associated Press
– VATICAN CITY – An Italian news program has obtained letters from a top Vatican official to the pope in which he begs not to be transferred after exposing corruption in the awarding of Vatican contracts that cost the Holy See millions of euros (dollars).
Bridget Mary's Reflection
Anyone ready for another movie like the Da Vinci Code? We need a "Vatican Watch" Vigil by a people-empowered Catholic Church!

Slideshow of Judy Beaumont's Ordination as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest on Jan. 21, 2012, Ft. Myers, Fl./Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

2012-01-24T22:43:00.000-05:00

Judy Beaumont's Ordination as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest in Ft. Myers, Florida- Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests- Clips of Videos on Youtube

2012-01-24T11:50:00.002-05:00

Litany of Saints:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKHFzsltk90&feature=youtu.be

Homily:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ7hpuaRcXQ

Approximately 300 P:eople Attended Ordination of Judy Beaumont in Ft. Myers, Fl. on Jan. 21, 2012

Link to Picasa Album for Ordination Photos of Judy Beaumont's Ordination in Ft. Myers, Florida on Jan. 21, 2012

2012-01-24T00:44:00.001-05:00

Newly Ordained Priest Judy Beaumont gives communion to Joelle, a child from Good Shepherd Community

https://picasaweb.google.com/113861846354577318112/JUDYBEAUMONTSORDINATIONJanuary212012?locked=true#

Homily: Martha: "A Gutsy Woman With Apostolic Authority" by Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan at Ordination of Judy Beaumont

2012-01-22T20:29:00.000-05:00

We "rejoice always, and give thanks for everything" because Judy Beaumont will be ordained today as a Roman Catholic Priest in a historic ordination here in Ft. Myers, Florida. Judy Beaumont joins Judy Lee in sacramental ministry with you, the beloved community, as an ordained woman priest serving The Good Shepherd Community. Together they serve the Body of Christ on the table, at the table and around the table as they stand on the margins with you, living God’s compassion and doing justice!

The ministry of Judy Beaumont and Judy Lee in Good Shepherd Ministries is a living witness to our liberating God’s transforming action in this local community. Because of their outreach, over 65 people have come from homelessness to having a home. They are living witnesses to the exhortation of the prophet Isaiah who calls us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and to work for justice. Their ministry has been to “bring Good News to those who are poor, to heal broken hearts and to proclaim release to those held captive and liberation to those in prison.” (Isa 61: 1-2)

As some of you know, I love to write. I wrote Praying with Women of the Bible to share the stories of our biblical sisters as great women of faith and powerful role models who are relevant for contemporary women and men. The research that I share with you today on our sister Martha is found in this book and is rooted in the scholarship of contemporary biblical studies.

Martha was certainly a gutsy woman and close friend of Jesus. She shared her grief, anger, frustration and deep faith with him. She is a role model for all of us especially those who believe that we are called to live Gospel equality.
The gospels record three encounters between Martha and Jesus.
In John 11:1–45, Martha and Mary send a message to Jesus that their brother Lazarus is sick. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Martha went to meet Jesus and told him about Lazarus’ death. Jesus assured her that her brother would rise again. Martha replied that she knew that he would rise again on the last day. “Jesus then said to her, ‘I am the Resurrection, and I am Life: those who believe in me will live, even if they die; and those who are alive and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ Martha replied, ‘I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, God’s Only Begotten, the One who is coming into the world’” (11:25–27, The Inclusive New Testament ).

The Gospel of John puts on Martha’s lips a profession of faith in Jesus as Messiah that the author of Mark assigns to Peter. In the Gospel of Mark, Peter responds to Jesus’ question: “who do you say that I am?” with the response: “you are the Messiah.” (Mark: 8:29)

Both Martha and Peter proclaim Jesus as Messiah. Furthermore, scholars conclude that the Johannine community affirms Martha as having authentic apostolic authority (John 11:25-27). This certainly indicates that Jesus treated women as equals, empowered with spiritual authority. Yet, according to the institutional church, popes still relate their primacy to Peter’s profession of faith, while ignoring Martha’s.

Now how many sermons have you heard about Martha’s profession of faith and apostolic authority as similar to Peter’s? The good news is that Jesus treated women as spiritual equals. It is time the institutional church did the same.
Sisters and brothers, let us proclaim this from the house tops!!

The bishop of Venice, Frank Dewane, claims that the ban on the ordination of women is in the Deposit of Faith! Really! Since Jesus did not ordain anyone, this prohibition is a rewrite of the Gospels. It contradicts the Pontifical Biblical Commission’s own scholarship which concluded that there is nothing in scripture to prohibit the ordination of women.

In Luke’s account Martha takes the initiative and welcomes Jesus to her home. She protests that she has to do the household chores alone, while her sister Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to his words (10:38–42). A few of us here might possibly identify with Martha, especially those of us who don’t like to wash dishes or scrub pots and pans! Do you know any women like Martha or Mary?

Jesus is portrayed in these passages as a religious teacher who is comfortable in the company of women. He converses and eats a meal with Martha and Mary. I can imagine Jesus relaxing and enjoying himself as he shares food and friendship with the women. Yet, by eating with women, Jesus broke the gender taboos, which did not allow women to serve or even to enter the dining area where male guests were eating. Jesus challenged patriarchy’s oppression of women and set the standard of gender equality as God’s vision in the kindom. And again just six days before Passover Jesus was honored at a banquet given by the family in Bethany- and who served? It was Martha once again taking her rightful place in the dining hall- not hiding herself in the kitchen while the men served at the table. (John 12: 1-2) Another example of Gospel equality!

In Luke’s church well-to-do Hellenistic women hosted the Eucharistic celebration in their homes. Yes, this means that women presided at Eucharist in what is referred to in the New Testament as house churches. St. Paul in Romans 16 greets women leaders like Deacon Phoebe, apostle, Junia, Prisca and many others who worshipped in homes and risked their lives for the gospel. Scholars, like Gary Macy, in The Hidden History of Women's Ordination, present evidence that women were ordained during the first twelve hundred years of the church's history. One could say that is the church's best kept secret, but NO MORE- with the women priests movement, we have come full circle with a renewed priestly ministry in a community of equals!!

Roman Catholic Women Priests are ordained in apostolic succession because a male bishop with apostolic succession and in communion with the pope ordained our first bishops! He told the women that he ordained them to promote justice in our church.

It has been ten years since seven courageous women were ordained on the Danube in 2002. In 2006, 12 women were ordained in Pittsburgh in the first U.S. Ordinations. Now there are approximately 124 Women Priests in Europe, U.S., Canada, and Latin America.

As part of an international Roman Catholic Women Priests initiative, the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests claims justice as constitutive of the Gospel and equality as a human right. Our vision is justice for all, justice for the poor, justice for women, and justice for women in the church including ordination.

Women priests are visible reminders that women are equal images of God, and therefore worthy to preside at the altar. We are living prophetic obedience to the Spirit by disobeying an unjust, man-made, canon law that discriminates against women in our church. Sexism, like racism, is a sin. Like Rosa Parks, whose refusal to sit in the back of the bus helped to ignite the civil rights movement, the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests are not leaving the church, but leading the Catholic Church into a new era of justice and equality. No punishment, including excommunication, can stop this movement of the Spirit. In fact, one could argue that Pope Benedict, who has canonized two excommunicated nuns, has made excommunication the new fast track to canonization!

In both the Hebrew and Greek languages Wisdom is feminine, the feminine aspect of the one God and is personified as a woman. Sophia is the Greek word for wisdom. The New Testament identifies the crucified Christ with the Wisdom of God. …”to those who are called, whether they are Jews or Greeks, Christ is the power and the wisdom of God.”(1 Cor. 24) In this liturgy today we integrate this powerful image of Christ Sophia in our prayer and song. We are grateful to Kathleen Rosenberg, our music leader, for her beautiful Mass of Christ Sophia.

Now we ordain our beloved Sister, Judy Beaumont. Like Martha, she is a gutsy woman who reminds us that women are spiritual equals, that all are called to serve those in need and to transform unjust structures in our church and world . Like Martha, Judy will serve at the banquet of Christ’s compassion, and welcome all to the table of plenty. Wouldn’t Martha be proud of her? … and of us!!
Amen!
Bridget Mary Meehan, D.Min., a Sister for Christian Community, was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 31, 2006. Dr. Meehan is currently Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program for Global Ministries University, and is the author of 19 books, including Praying with Women of the Bible, and Living Gospel Equality Now: Loving in the Heart of God.She presides at liturgies in Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida and celebrates liturgies with groups in N.Va. She was ordained a bishop on April 19, 2009. Dr. Meehan can be reached at sofiabmm@aol.com

(Special thanks to Bill Schuch for photos of ordination)

Pictures from Judy Beaumont's Ordination in Ft. Myers, Florida

2012-01-22T20:15:00.001-05:00

More than 200 People Attend Ordination of Judy Beaumont as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest/ News Stories

2012-01-21T22:43:00.002-05:00

LIVE STREAM of ORDINATION of JUDY BEAUMONT

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/19913635

More than 200 People Attend fort Myers Woman's Ordination as Roman Catholic Priest
http://www.news-press.com/article/20120121/NEWS0110/120121014/0/NEWS0104/More-than-200-attend-Fort-Myers-woman-s-ordination-Roman-Catholic-priest?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Fort Myers woman to be ordained Catholic priest; church leaders warn of consequences to her 'immortal soul' By STEPHANIE BORDEN /Naples Daily News
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jan/20/fort-myers-woman-to-be-ordained-catholic-priest/

..."But Beaumont said she rejects any excommunication."I will still consider myself a faithful Catholic," she said. "We are not leaving the church. We are creating a new model of the church."Beaumont replied to Dewane in a late-December letter."I understand that you are fulfilling your obligation as Bishop and I take your words seriously," she wrote. "However, I must reply that as I have tried throughout my life to answer the call of the Gospel to serve God's people, I must again answer this new call to sacramental ministry with the poor and otherwise marginalized people in our midst."
"Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, who will preside over Beaumont's ordination, says she considers several letters of excommunication she received following her own ordination "as badges of honor.""The church has a habit of excommunicating holy women and men, such as burning Joan of Arc at the stake," she said. "Pope Benedict himself has canonized two previously ex-communicated nuns — Mother Theodore Guerin and Mary MacKillop — making excommunication a new fast-track to canonization. Meehan said she has the apostolic succession required by the Roman Catholic Church to ordain Beaumont as a priest because she herself was ordained by Bishop Patricia Fresen in 2009, who was ordained by a male bishop in communion with the Pope."Social justice, a love of the Church, the Church liturgy, and the holy people of the Church," Beaumont said. "Those were the values instilled in me as a child."

http://www.abc-7.com/story/16571136/2012/01/21/local-woman-fights-catholic-church-to-be-ordained
"local woman trying to bring change to the Catholic church has been automatically expelled after taking on a role only held by men. Judy Beaumont spent 74 devoting her life to Catholicism. But now, the former nun is challenging the church. "This ordination means I will become a Roman Catholic priest," she says.
Beaumont's ordination means she is automatically expelled from the church. "We reject that excommunication. We are loyal, faithful members of the church," she says. "

Judy Beaumont's Ordination Will Be On Live Streaming on Sat. Jan. 21st. 2012- 3PM-5PM,The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Leads the Church Toward Justice and Equality

2012-01-17T21:48:00.001-05:00

http://www.lambofgodchurch.net/
3pm to 5 pm (approximately) Sat. Jan. 21, 2012
Watch history in the making live!Go to videos on left hand side and the live streaming will come up.

"Fort Myers Woman Defies Church to be Ordained Roman Catholic Priest" by Mary Wozniak/Fr. Myers News Press

2012-01-15T18:01:00.001-05:00

http://www.news-press.com/article/20120115/NEWS0110/301150049/1014/business/Fort-Myers-woman-defies-church-ordained-Roman-Catholic-priest?odyssey=nav%7Chead
The News-Press
"Judy Beaumont plans to take a historic step Saturday, one that will jeopardize her immortal soul.

Beaumont, 74, of Fort Myers, is defying centuries-old doctrine in becoming the first woman in Southwest Florida to be ordained a Roman Catholic priest. The church decrees this role is reserved for men. Bishop Frank Dewane of the Diocese of Venice, which oversees the Catholic faithful in 10 counties, including all of Southwest Florida, has warned her not to cross that patriarchal line.
“It has been brought to my attention that you purportedly reside in the Diocese of Venice in Florida and may attempt to be ‘ordained’ to the ministerial priesthood here within this Diocese,” Dewane wrote in a letter to Beaumont. “This is a most grave and serious matter of consequence for your soul.”

The consequence is automatic excommunication, or expulsion from the church, the bishop wrote. The same penalty applies to anyone who participates in the ordination ceremony.
Beaumont says she will follow her conscience and take the consequences. The ordination will be held at 3 p.m. at Lamb of God Church, a Lutheran-Episcopal congregation on Cypress View Drive in Fort Myers.
“Of course, we all reject that excommunication, because it’s a man-made rule that does not really follow what we know of Jesus, what Jesus would do,” said Beaumont, who entered the convent at 17 and was a Benedictine nun for 35 years. “How can any group of human beings say to God, ‘You can’t call a woman.’?”
She is one of more than 124 women priests and 10 woman bishops who say they have been called to serve in the Catholic Church. Most are in the United States, but others are found in South America, Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, Canada and other countries. The movement began in 2002 with the ordination of seven women by a male priest on the Danube River....
But the idea women can’t be priests also is a man-made rule, said Bridget Mary Meehan, a woman Catholic bishop who is based in Sarasota and will preside over Beaumont’s ordination.Women priests, their supporters and some scholars claim scripture and other documentation shows women as well as men were called by Jesus and shared equally as his followers. They particularly note a 2007 book by Jesuit scholar Gary Macy called “The Hidden History of Women’s Ordination.”The bishop’s letter reflects “the misogynist tradition in the Roman Catholic Church” about women’s rights, Meehan said.“Women priests are the Rosa Parks of the Catholic Church,” she said. “We are no longer going to sit in the back of the Catholic bus in subordination to the hierarchy. We are not leaving the church. We are leading the church into a new era of justice and equality for women.”
Beaumont said the gospels that name the 12 men came out of a time when men dominated the culture.
“There were women in the first 1,200 years of the church who were serving in the ministerial roles of deacon, priest and bishop,” she said. “There is documented history for that even though the bishops reject that scholarship.”

Judy Beaumont (left) visiting a member of community

"No Longer, I will no longer debate the issue of Women's Ordination..." by John Chuchman

2012-01-14T19:14:00.000-05:00

I will no longer debate the issue of women’s ordination in the church with anyone. I will no longer engage the biblical ignorance
that emanates from so many right-wing Christians
about how all of Jesus’ Apostles were male,
as if that point of view still has any credibility.
I will no longer discuss with them or listen to them tell me
how “only males can be representations of Christ,"
about how women have a “different role” in the Church,
or about how male-only ordination is “the Church’s Tradition.”
Those arguments are no longer worthy of my time or energy.
I will no longer dignify by listening to the thoughts of those
who advocate that women be happy being nuns and priests’ helpers.
I will no longer talk to those who believe
that the unity of the church can or should be achieved
at the expense of the dignity of women.
I will no longer take the time to refute
the unlearned and undocumented claims
of certain gynophobic religious leaders
who advocate for Male Superiority.
I will no longer listen to that pious sentimentality
that certain Christian leaders continue to employ,
which suggests some version of that strange and overtly dishonest phrase that
"Male-Only Ordination is the Church’s Tradition."
That statement is nothing more than a self-serving lie
designed to cover the fact that these people fear women,
yet somehow know that this fear is incompatible
with the Christ they claim to profess,
so they adopt this face-saving and absolutely false statement.
I will no longer temper my understanding of truth
in order to pretend that I have even a tiny smidgen of respect
for the appalling negativity that continues to emanate from religious circles
where the church has for centuries conveniently perfumed
its ongoing prejudices against blacks, Jews, women and homosexual persons
with what it assumes is "high-sounding, pious rhetoric."
The day for that mentality has quite simply come to an end for me.
I will personally neither tolerate it nor listen to it any longer.
The world has moved on,
leaving these elements of the Christian Church that cannot adjust
to new knowledge or a new consciousness
lost in a sea of their own irrelevance.
They no longer talk to anyone but themselves.
I will no longer seek to slow down the witness to inclusiveness
by pretending that there is some middle ground
between prejudice and oppression.
There isn't.
Justice postponed is justice denied.
That can be a resting place no longer for anyone.
An old civil rights song proclaimed that
the only choice awaiting those who cannot adjust to a new understanding
was to "Roll on over or we'll roll on over you!"
Time waits for no one.
It is time for the Church to announce that there are no longer two sides
to the issue of full Equality for Women.
There is no way that justice for Women
can be compromised any longer.
I will no longer act as if the Papal office is to be respected
if the present occupant of that office is either not willing or not able
to inform and educate himself on public issues on which he dares to speak
with embarrassing ineptitude.
I see no way that ignorance and truth can be placed side by side,
nor do I believe that evil is somehow less evil if the Bible is quoted to justify it.
It is time to move on.
The battle is over.
The victory has been won.
There is no reasonable doubt
as to what the final outcome of this struggle will be.
Women have a legitimate claim on every right
that both church and society have to offer any of us.
The ordination of Women
is recognized by the state
and must be pronounced holy by the church.
Can any of us imagine
having a public referendum on whether slavery should continue,
whether segregation should be dismantled,
whether voting privileges should be offered to women?
I will also no longer act as if I need a majority vote of some ecclesiastical body
in order to bless, ordain, recognize and celebrate the lives and gifts
of Women in the life of the church.
No one should ever again be forced
to submit the privilege of citizenship in this nation
or membership in the Christian Church to the will of a majority vote.
The battle in both our culture and our church
to rid our souls of this dying prejudice is finished.
A new consciousness has arisen.
A decision has quite clearly been made.
Inequality for Women is no longer a debatable issue
in either church or state.
Therefore, I will from this moment on
refuse to dignify the continued public expression of ignorant prejudice
by engaging it.
I do not tolerate racism or sexism any longer.
From this moment on,
I will no longer tolerate our culture's various forms of homophobia.
I do not care who it is who articulates these attitudes
or who tries to make them sound holy with religious jargon.
Things do get settled and this issue is now settled for me.
I do not debate any longer with members of the "Flat Earth Society" either.
I do not debate with people who think we should treat epilepsy
by casting demons out of the epileptic person;
I do not waste time engaging those medical opinions
that suggest that bleeding the patient might release the infection.
I am tired of being embarrassed by so much of my church's participation
in causes that are quite unworthy of the Christ I serve
or the God whose mystery and wonder I appreciate more each day.
Indeed I feel the Christian Church should not only apologize,
but do public penance
for the way we have treated people of color, women, adherents of other religions
and those we designated heretics, as well as gay and lesbian people.
Life moves on.
As the poet James Russell Lowell once put it more than a century ago:
"New occasions teach new duties, Time makes ancient good uncouth."
I am ready now to claim the victory.
I will from now on assume it and live into it.
I am unwilling to argue about it
or to discuss it as if there are two equally valid, competing positions any longer.
The day for that mentality has simply gone forever.
No longer . . .
For more books and poems by John Chuchman, visit:

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002BLJKAW

and

on KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A133140011&field-keywords=John%20Chuchman&page=1

"The Ordination of Women: Infallibly Taught?" by Peter Burns, S. J.

2012-01-13T18:32:00.005-05:00

http://astro.temple.edu/~arcc/burns.htm

..."Ordinatio sacerdotalis was declared by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to be a teaching act that was, and I quote, "not itself infallible." It was made explicit by the Congregation at the press conference held to publicize its Responsio ad dubium (relating to the Apostolic Letter) that ordinatio sacerdotalis was NOT an exercise of the pope's extraordinary infallible magisterium. ..

Although it conceded that the teaching contained in OS was not infallibly taught in virtue of the extraordinary papal magisterium, the CDF nonetheless gave its opinion that the teaching contained in OS was an infallibly taught doctrine in virtue of the ordinary magisterium of the Church as explicated in section 25 of Lumen gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church issued by Vatican II. That is, it was the opinion of the CDF that the doctrine had already, prior to and independently of OS, been taught infallibly by the College of Bishops in union with the pope as a teaching that must be definitively held (tenenda definitive) to belong to the deposit of faith. This mode of infallible teaching requires a clear, constant teaching on the part of the bishops as a moral whole that some point of doctrine has been divinely revealed (cf. Lumen gentium, 25)

There are 3 modes of infallible teaching:
an infallible ex cathedra definition by the pope (this need not follow a consultation with the College of Bishops, though this was the practice in the two clear cases of such a definition, the Immaculate Conception (Pius IX, 1854) and the Assumption of the BVM (Pius XII, 1950);

a solemn definition by a valid ecumenical council of the Church (e.g. the dogmatic decrees on the divinity and humanity of Christ etc, at Nicaea and Chalcedon and many other dogmas); and

a constant teaching, not with any specific definition or formula, by the College of Bishops while dispersed around the world, but maintaining communion with the pope, that a doctrine belongs to the deposit of faith and must be held definitively as such by all the faithful (an example would be the Resurrection of Christ). What the CDF said clearly enough was that OS contains a teaching which has been infallibly taught in the third of these modes. It also EXPLICITLY said that OS was NOT an instance of the first of these modes. And obviously the matter has not been solemnly defined in the second (conciliar) mode.That is the official Catholic position. I won't enter any dispute about this, because it's silly to argue about facts. And these are the facts about the official position of the Church. They can readily be verified by reading the documents issued by the CDF and the relevant issues of L'Osservatore Romano..."

"Now, the next question we must ask: is the CDF's opinion about the infallible status of the doctrine itself infallible? The answer is definitely NO. Why? Because NOTHING the CDF says is EVER infallibly said. The CDF is not the pope speaking ex cathedra, nor is it a valid ecumenical council, nor is it the College of Bishops in union with the pope. The only way a doctrine can be infallibly taught is by one of the 3 modes of infallible teaching I described above. The CDF can give an opinion about if or when a teaching has been infallibly taught, but ITS OPINION IS ITSELF ALWAYS FALLIBLE. THE CDF IS NOT ENDOWED WITH INFALLIBILITY. Of course, the CDF can state a doctrine which has been infallibly taught. But so can anyone. If I simply repeated an infallibly defined doctrine, such as the Assumption, I would say something which has been infallibly taught. I would be uttering an infallible truth. But I would not be infallible then or ever. Same with the CDF. Its opinion on this as on any other matter is fallible. "

"WHAT will life be like for the wives of Roman Catholic priests? "/ More Evidence of Hierarchy's Misogyny from History of Church

2012-01-13T18:12:00.000-05:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/opinion/for-priests-wives-a-word-of-caution.html?_r=2&hp

"On Sunday, the Vatican announced the creation of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, a special division of the Roman Catholic Church that former Episcopal congregations and priests — including, notably, married priests — can enter together en masse. The Vatican has stressed that the allowance for married priests is merely an exception (like similar dispensations made in the past by the Vatican) and by no means a permanent condition of the priesthood. If a priest is single when he enters the ordinariate, he may not marry, nor may a married priest, in the event of his wife’s death, remarry. Nonetheless, the Roman Catholic Church is prepared to house married priests in numbers perhaps not seen since the years before 1123, when the First Lateran Council adopted canon 21, prohibiting clerical marriage... By the time of the First Lateran Council, the priest’s wife had become a symbol of wantonness and defilement. The reason was that during this period the nature of the host consecrated at Mass received greater theological scrutiny. Medieval theologians were in the process of determining that bread and wine, at the moment of consecration in the hands of an ordained priest at the altar, truly became the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The priest who handled the body and blood of Christ should therefore be uncontaminated lest he defile the sacred corpus. The priest’s wife was an obvious danger. Her wanton desire, suggested the 11th-century monk Peter Damian, threatened the efficacy of consecration. He chastised priests’ wives as “furious vipers who out of ardor of impatient lust decapitate Christ, the head of clerics,” with their lovers. According to the historian Dyan Elliott, priests’ wives were perceived as raping the altar, a perpetration not only of the priest but also of the whole Christian community... "
Sara Ritchey is an assistant professor of medieval European history at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette.

Bridget Mary's Reflection
Let's hope that Pope Benedict will acknowledge the institutional church's horrific history of misogyny in their treatment of women including the wives of priests in the 11th century.
The policy of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter prohibiting a priest to remarry after his wife dies certainly does not inspire confidence that change is in air! Equality, mutuality, partnership are words we would like to hear in describing "What will life be like for the wives of Roman Catholic priests?" Roman Catholic Women Priests are living the vision of Jesus now in inclusive communities of equals and it is time for the institutional church to do so too.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP

"To Obey" by John Chuchman

2012-01-13T17:37:00.002-05:00

To Obey
The word Obedience
comes from the root audire
to hear.

Obedience,
in its essence,
is Listening followed by Acting Free!
(not simply doing what another tells me).

Jesus,
time and again,
is quoted as
calling us to Listen.

It seems there are a number of areas
in my life
to which I must be tuned in.

I try to listen to
the wild word of God
as presented in Scripture,
hoping it warms my heart
and pierces it
with Love.

I try to listen to
Church,
as defined in Vatican II
as We, the Body of Christ,
men and women of all denominations and faiths
whose judgment I respect.

I try to listen to
Unbelievers,
who speak their Truth,
knowing I can learn from them,
also Children of God.

I try to listen to
the signs of the times,
the voice of social change
in society,
knowing human experience to be
the very stuff of Spirituality.

I try to listen to
Children, The Handicapped, The Sick,
The Dying, The Bereaved, The Aged
by tapping in to their
directness and simplicity
which offer a special access
to Truth.

I try to listen to
The Word of God in My Heart,
guided by conscience,
motivated by the promptings of
the Holy Spirit.

Simply doing as I am told
by whatever authority,
without Listening
to all possible sources of Wisdom,
is spiritual death.

I can
live and act with Wisdom
only
if I heed the call of Jesus
to
Listen.
http://poetmanjohn@cox.net/

"Messages from God"/ Homily by Deacon Donna Rogeux, ARCWP

2012-01-12T18:30:00.000-05:00

Messages from God

First reading: 1Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
Do you ever feel like you are being swamped with messages? Because of the sophisticated technology that surrounds us, we have at our fingertips many different ways to communicate with others. We have email, text messages, instant messages, face time, Skype and cell phones. When we are surrounded by all of these ways to communicate it is possible to become overwhelmed with too much information. It can be challenging to sift through it all keeping the focus on the important messages that need our attention. It seems that a constant theme throughout history has been the issues around being able to communicate with others and with God. Even though we are light years away from the story we just heard in first Samuel, the problem of recognizing the voice of God seems to be a constant. With all of our modern ways of communicating one might think it would be easier now than in Samuel's time to communicate with God. But another way of looking at this goes back to the overloaded feeling we can have in this information age. There can be too many messages and we can miss the important ones. We can even miss the messages God sends us. So we must take Eli's advice to Samuel and Say "Speak YHWH, for your servant is listening." When we truly say these words and mean them we open ourselves up for unexpected experiences of God and may even find ourselves being led in directions we never imagined.

How do we listen to God’s voice in this world of many voices. How do we discern which voice is God’s voice and which voice is leading us away from God? Have you ever found yourself in a situation that is similar to the reading we just heard in the book of first Samuel? Have you ever heard the voice of God and thought it was someone else’s voice? Or have you ever tried desperately to hear God’s voice and become confused about which voice is truly coming from YHWH.

In today’s Gospel reading we see Jesus in the midst of his ministry going from place to place spreading the good news, healing Peter’s mother-in-law, teaching his disciples, only to find himself still ministering to others after sunset as they brought people to him who were ill and possessed with demons. This story illustrates that Jesus had the potential of feeling overloaded. An important detail in this story gives us insight about being able to discern God's voice even when we feel overloaded. The story reads, “Rising early the next morning, Jesus went off to a lonely place in the desert and prayed there.” Herein lies a key to hearing the voice of God and to warding off problems that come from being overloaded. Being alone in the desert opens up a space that can connect us to God. Taking quiet time away from our responsibilities spending quiet time of prayer and reflection can be the breath of fresh air that revives us when we feel overloaded. But ready or not God speaks to us with words, symbols, with music,without words, in quiet alone times, in community gatherings, in our happiest moments and in our saddest moments and moments in between. God seeks us even more than we seek God.

What does the voice of God sound like? Is it audible? How do we distinguish God's voice from other voices? These questions can be answered in many different ways because even though God probably doesn't Skype us or email us or call us on the cell phone there are many different ways to hear God speak. Samuel heard God at night when he was awakened from sleep. Moses heard God in the burning bush. God speaks to us in dreams and visions but the culture we live in seems more interested in scientific evidence than in a spiritual realm of unknowns. It can be very risky to tell about an experience of hearing God speak. The difference between our technological, scientific world and the place where we can hear God speak is one world emphasizes being able to figure everything out logically and the other is a place that allows mystery and just being open to the experience. When we truly say the words "Speak YHWH your servant is listening," we are opening ourselves up to this other place. In this other place we learn to see and hear differently. Fr. Richard Rohr explains this well in a meditation called "Learning to See." He reflects on a verse of scripture in Genesis that says,

“God, you were here all along, and I never knew it” (Genesis 28:16), says Jacob on awakening from his stone pillow.

Fr. Rohr's meditation says,

"The essential religious experience is that you are being “known through” more than knowing anything in particular yourself. Yet despite this difference, it will feel like true knowing. This new way of knowing can be called contemplation, nondualistic thinking, or “third-eye” seeing. Such prayer, such seeing, takes away your anxiety about figuring it all out fully for yourself, or needing to be right about your formulations.

At this point, God becomes more a verb than a noun, more a process than a conclusion, more an experience than a dogma, more a personal relationship than an idea. There is Someone dancing with you, and you are not so afraid of making mistakes. You know even those will be used in your favor. At that point you also have awakened from your stone pillow, and you know with a new clarity what you partly knew all along."

With this new ability to see without fully understanding it is possible to hear God in our experiences of this dance we encounter with God. We open ourselves to being able to see and hear God in a wide variety of experiences and we find ourselves on the path to fullness of life and kinship with God.

It is not always easy to hear God speak because sometimes we don't want to hear what God has to say. It can take courage to acknowledge the voice of God when this seems to be leading us into unfamiliar territory. But the rewards of liberation and life await us if we listen and follow God's call.

Have you ever tried to tell someone about a personal experience of hearing God speak? I will attempt to do that myself but with this disclaimer: it is hard to give the full picture because something seems to get lost in telling about it. And it is common to have very personal messages when God speaks. It is like you had to be there to get the full effect. We just find it hard to describe encounters with God. But I will give it a try.

I had been struggling with a situation that my son was involved in because my son's description of an incident was different than another persons description. I really wanted to believe my son's version but was unsure of who to believe. As I was driving one day the situation with my son was not in my mind at all and out of the blue came this thought that seemed very different from my own thoughts and it began with the words,"this is the boy who in second grade... "the voice continued and connected the second grade incident with the current situation. I found myself driving along with tears streaming down my face knowing that God just spoke to me and comforted me about the situation with my son. God was telling me that I could believe what my son had told me. This was a huge relief to me. And I know this was God speaking to me.

Simone Weil in her book,"Waiting for God" describes the natural longings that we all have to be in communion with God and directs our attention to God's role in this relationship dispelling the idea that encountering God is all up to us. On the contrary she illustrates beautifully that our part is small in comparison to God's. She writes

“The longing to love the beauty of the world in a human being is essentially the longing for the Incarnation,” “It is mistaken if it thinks it is anything else. The Incarnation alone can satisfy it” (109). “We do not walk vertically. We can only turn our eyes toward God. We do not have to search for God, we only have to change the direction in which we are looking. It is for [God] to search for us.”

Hopefully when we feel overwhelmed with too much information or with too much responsibility or with too much of anything or when we don't understand messages we are receiving because we are having trouble discerning whose voice we hear we will take Eli's advice to Samuel and say "Speak YHWH your servant is listening" and we will hear a message from God.

Deacon Donna with Bridget Mary on Sept. 10, 2011

"The Disconnect Between Bishops and Other Catholics"/ Riichard McBrien/NCR

2012-01-11T19:09:00.000-05:00

http://ncronline.org/blogs/essays-theology/disconnect-between-bishops-and-other-catholics
"This is confirmed in a recent survey of U.S. Catholics, commissioned by the National Catholic Reporter and published in its Oct. 28-Nov. 10, 2011, issue. On the matter of Catholic attitudes toward the credibility of the bishops' teachings, the survey found that relatively few Catholics look to church leaders as the sole moral arbiters.This is particularly true with regard to official teachings on such issues as divorce and remarriage, abortion, nonmarital sex, homosexuality and contraception."

"Bishops' Birth Control"/Sarasota Herald Tribune/Jan. 10, 2012/Bridget Mary Meehan, Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

2012-01-10T18:00:00.018-05:00

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120110/LETTERS/120109578/2163/OPINION?p=3&tc=pg

In response to Gail Collins' column "Reproductive rights debate creates early holiday hangover": The U.S. Catholic bishops' lobbying efforts for exemption for employers who object to artificial birth control is unjust. The hierarchy is out of touch with their fellow Catholics on this issue. Ninety-eight percent of sexually active Roman Catholic women in the United States use birth control; 70 percent use sterilization, the birth control pill or an intrauterine device (Guttmacher Institute, 2011). The teaching of the church since Pope Paul VI wrote "Humanae Vitae" in 1968, regarding the use of birth control, has never been accepted by most Roman Catholic men and women. If the institutional church approved of women priests, then women's voices would be heard and certainly included in decision-making that affects women's lives and well-being. Women and men have the human right to act as their own moral agents and make responsible decisions on family planning. How can pro-life church leaders oppose contraceptives that prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortions? The bishops should not impose the church's official beliefs on employees or on Catholics who dissent from this teaching. This violates a core Catholic teaching, primacy of conscience, which also applies to non-Catholics. Dozens of Catholic hospitals and universities offer contraceptive coverage now. Justice toward all, a core biblical value, should guide the bishops in their coverage of contraceptives for their employees.

This is what, I believe, Jesus would do and so should the bishops.

Bridget Mary Meehan,

Sarasota

"Woman Makes Stand at Altar by Leading Local Mass"/ Mary Smith, Roman Catholic Woman Priest

2012-01-09T10:04:00.000-05:00

http://www.sctimes.com/article/20120109/NEWS01/101090023/Woman-makes-stand-altar-by-leading-local-Mass

“I have seen women in tears — I’ve seen them weeping — when they come up to me after a Mass because they are so moved to finally be able to see a woman at the altar,” she said. About 35 people attended the Mass on Sunday; Mary Magdalene, 1st Apostle, is the parish that Smith presides over and has services at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

"Cardinal George Apologizes for Linking Pride Parade to KKK" By Manya A. Brachear/Tribune

2012-01-07T14:41:00.002-05:00

January 06, 2012 Chicago's Cardinal Francis George apologized Friday for remarks aired on Christmas Day comparing the gay pride parade to the Ku Klux Klan."I am truly sorry for the hurt my remarks have caused," George said in an interview with the Tribune. "Particularly because we all have friends or family members who are gay and lesbian. This has evidently wounded a good number of people. I have family members myself who are gay and lesbian, so it's part of our lives. So I'm sorry for the hurt."

"Pushing Away the Marginalized to Reach Out to the Fringe" by Jamie L. Manson

2012-01-07T13:40:00.000-05:00

http://www.ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/pushing-away-marginalized-reach-out-fringe
..."It's remarkable how a hierarchy that routinely appeals to the unchangeable nature of its doctrine of the priesthood to defend its stance against women's ordination can become so flexible about its priesthood when reaching out to those who will help toe their misogynist line. It's extraordinary the lengths the hierarchy will take to welcome a fringe group of evangelical Episcopalians who support their anti-gay marriage agenda...."The real tragedy behind these stories is that the hierarchy is using its creativity, its money and, saddest of all, its sacraments to welcome individuals that will bolster its drive to exclude many of its baptized faithful.. ..Our church was founded on Jesus' call to honor everyone's dignity as beloved children of God and to be one with the poor, the suffering and the outcast. "

Protesters Continue Occupy 440 movement by Dale Mezzacappa on Jan 04 2012 Posted in Latest news/ Eileen DiFranco, RCWP/a Leader in the Protest Movement

2012-01-06T21:14:00.000-05:00

http://www.thenotebook.org/blog/124393/protesters-continue-occupy-440-movement

"Who is talking about this gross misallocation of resources?" DiFranco asked. "Are we the only ones who care?"She criticized not just the mayor, but Gov. Corbett and state legislators. But she said that Nutter and the School Reform Commission are culpable because they have "settled for less" without complaint.
Corbett and the General Assembly cut state education aid by a billion dollars this year, with fully one-quarter of that total falling on Philadelphia...

Link to Television Coverage of Fasting Vigil To End Torture in Lexington, Kentucky/Janice Sevre Duszynska and Donna Rougeux/Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

2012-01-06T11:41:00.001-05:00

http://www.wtvq.com/content/localnews/story/Protests-Continue-In-Downtown-Lexington/gUiEOYAo50uWmE4W2x4pow.cspx
Above is the clip of the Jan. 3rd interview with Donna Rougeux and me (Janice Serve-Duszynska) in downtown Lexington where we are from vigiling Jan. 2- Jan. 10. We are now in the fifith day of our fast.

"Table Manners"/Christianity Today/All Belong at Christ's Banquet Table

2012-01-05T12:00:00.001-05:00

christiancentury.org/article/2011-12/table-manners

Dec. 28,2011
by Andrew Packman

"The whole scene was awkward. With 20 or so people still in line to receive the Eucharist, this Bosnian Franciscan took a handful of the host and sought me out of the crowd. Nearly out of breath, he lifted the small plate toward me. I stood up from my pew."Will you have communion?" My heart beat faster, the way it does if you get asked to speak when you're not expecting it, or when you're breaking a rule and know you may get caught.I muttered, "Yes, I will.""Christ's body, broken for you." He placed the host in my hand. I raised it to my lips and carefully set it down on my tongue. ..I imagine this is what the prodigal son felt when he watched his aged father risk looking like a fool as he sprinted out to meet his son. Priests don't run during the mass; they certainly don't leave the 99 sheep behind to seek out the one who's lost, the one who needs to feel the warm embrace of full inclusion in a Christian community."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
This is what it means to share Eucharist with the Body of Christ. Everyone is welcome at the table.
Roman Catholic Women Priests preside at liturgies where all are invited to receive Eucharist every week. This is what the inclusive priestly ministry is all about- welcoming with open arms, like the priest in this story above- and like Jesus did when he said: "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened.. Take and eat, this is my body, given for all. " All God's family -especially the broken, marginalized and needy, are embraced by God's love and belong at Christ's Banquet
Table. Eucharist is not a reward for those who keep the rules, but for nourishment for the journey.

Changing Church: Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan: videos on Women Priests in the Roman Catholic Church and excerpts from an ordination service

2012-01-04T21:55:00.002-05:00

http://jannaldredgeclanton.com/blog/

Changing Church: Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan: videos on Women Priests in the Roman Catholic Church and excerpts from an ordination service

Published: January 2, 2012
Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan
Read Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan’s story in Changing Church: Stories of Liberating Ministers: https://wipfandstock.com/store/Changing_Church_Stories_of_Liberating_Ministers%20;%20condensed%20version%20on%20this%20blog:%20http://jannaldredgeclanton.com/blog/?p=157

Bishop Resigns After Disclosing he fathered Two Children

2012-01-04T21:44:00.000-05:00

http://ncronline.org/news/people/bishop-resigns-after-disclosing-he-father-two-children

VATICAN CITY -- Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala has resigned after disclosing to superiors that he is the father of two children.The Vatican announced the bishop's resignation Jan. 4 in a one-line statement that cited church law on resignation for illness or other serious reasons.

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
More evidence that mandatory celibacy does not work and should be changed to follow Jesus' example. In the 12th century, the pope mandated celibacy for priests, and threatened to sell the priests' wives into slavery if they did not conform. Now that the Vatican is accepting Anglican married priests and their wives, it is time to affirm that marriage and ordination can go together for Catholic priests. Peter was married, so why does the Roman Catholic Church refuse to follow his example? Let us pray that for change in the institutional church's unjust treatment of its own priests
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com

"Pressure on Dutch Church After Report"/ Between 10,000 and 20,000 Dutch Children Abused/Call for Resignations of Catholic Bishops in the Netherlands

2012-01-03T22:04:00.000-05:00

http://www.ncronline.org/news/global/pressure-dutch-church-after-report
"Two leading politicians in the Netherlands, both from conservative parties, have called for the resignations of Catholic bishops in the wake of a damning report on sexual abuse in the Dutch church.The country’s prime minister, Mark Rutte, also announced that his cabinet is considering lifting a statute of limitations to allow criminal prosecutions. A complaint has already been filed with the public prosecutor’s office against a former bishop of the Rotterdam diocese, Philippe Bär. An attorney representing alleged victims has charged Bär with covering up abuse during his tenure from 1983 to 1993..."Released on Dec. 16, the report found that somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 Dutch children suffered abuse by Catholic personnel, ranging from unwanted sexual advances to rape, during the period of 1945 to 2010. A commission sponsored by the Catholic bishops and religious orders of Holland produced the report. On Dec. 17, Holland’s deputy prime minister, Maxime Verhagen, himself a Catholic, said the church has been “profoundly damaged,” and bishops should consider resigning. Verhagen is a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal Party, a center-right faction seen as friendly to the church."

Janice Sevre-Duszynska, ARCWP and Donna Rougeux, ARCWP Join Witness Against Torture Fast

2012-01-02T21:47:00.001-05:00

Join us at Triangle Park Jan. 2-10 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. as we fast and witness in solidarity with folks in the nation's Capitol and across the globe on the 10th anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees at the U.S. controlled detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. We are demanding an end to torture and indefinite detention at Guantanamo, Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, and elsewhere, and that the president reject the just-passed National Defense Authorization Act. (The Act would allow the military to detain terror suspects on U.S. soil and hold them indefinitely and without trial. It would place restrictions on resettling the 60 men in Guantanamo who have been cleared for release.)
For local information contact Janice Sevre-Duszynska, 859-684-4247.
See WitnessAgainstTorture and Amnesty International websites.

Janice Sevre-Duszynska, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, Donna Rougeux

"Plans for New Year Include Education, Being Inclusive"/Winona Daily News

2012-01-02T21:38:00.001-05:00

Kathy Redig, RCWP

"The Rev. Kathy Redig of All Are One Roman Catholic Church, has a New Year's Resolution for her congregation to be more inclusive, a goal that is personal to her....Redig was ordained into Roman Catholic Womenpriests in 2008, an organization that seeks to ordain women in the Catholic Church and whose priests and bishops face excommunication for doing so. 'Everyone should be welcome to come to the table,' she said. 'I want to let everyone be welcome and listen more and judge less.'"
Read more:
http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/article_058f1878-34ff-11e1-84b2-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1iMJ4ReqQ

Olga Lucia, Roman Catholic Woman Priest, Celebrates Liturgy in House Church in Colombia, South America

2012-01-01T21:11:00.001-05:00

This is a verbal and pictoral record of a Eucharistic celebration in the home of a "country" couple and their family. Olga Lucia is the presider. It is a beautiful celebration like the first house churches in the New Testament

"Some Anglicans Apply to Join the Catholic Church"/Washington Post

2012-01-01T20:27:00.002-05:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/some-anglicans-apply-to-join-the-catholic-church/2011/12/30/gIQAQdHRTP_story.html
“It’s the largest reunification effort in 500 years,” said Susan Gibbs, a spokeswoman for the new body, called an ordinariate.The possibility of dozens of married Catholic priests could provide fodder for Catholics who want the Vatican to open up on the issue of priestly celibacy. There are about 40,000 Catholic priests in the United States.Gibbs declined to say which priests and parishes have expressed interest. But congregants at St. Luke’s, and others who call themselves Anglo-Catholics, tend to be theological and social conservatives who say they like the clear, single authority of a pope. However, they also want to hold onto aspects of Anglicanism, including retaining more authority in governing and certain music and rituals, such as kneeling for Communion..."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
In this historic structural change, the Vatican is expanding a married Catholic priesthood to include Anglcian priests in the United States as well as in England. They did so without dialogue with the Episcopal Church, a slap in the face to a Sister- Church.
It is time that the Vatican makes celibacy optional for priestly ministry. The best we can hope is that this is a first step in that direction.

Bishop to Bishop: Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan Responds to Bishop Frank Dewane About His Letter to Deacon Judy Beaumont Regarding Her Upcoming Ordination as Priest

2011-12-30T20:49:00.006-05:00

Bishop Frank :
It has been brought to my attention that you purportedly reside in the Diocese of Venice in Florida and may attempt to be " ordained " to the ministerial priesthood here within this Diocese on January 22 , 2012 . This is a most grave and serious matter of consequence for your soul.

Bishop Bridget Mary:
Under all circumstances, the church teaches that one must follow one’s conscience. So how can serving God as a woman priest cause a problem for one’s soul? I wish our male bishops would be as concerned about the thousands of victims of sexual abuse as they appear to be about the souls of women priests!

Bishop Frank :
The Catholic Church has always taught that the Church has no authority to confer priestly ordination on women.

Bishop Bridget Mary:
Jesus set the example by calling women and men to be his disciples. Witness his relationship with Mary and Martha and Mary of Magdala for example. He did not ordain anyone. Ordination was developed much later, in the early centuries of the church. According to historians, such as Gary Macy, The Hidden History of Women’s Ordination, women were ordained for twelve hundred years before the patriarchy abandoned the practice.

Bishop Frank:
The Church shares this teaching with our Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters. The ministerial priesthood is a gift from God, not something that someone " earns, " " deserves " or has a "right " to, due to advanced education, devoted service in the Church, or simply because of one's own personal desire. The reasons for this include : the example recorded in sacred Scripture of Christ choosing His Apostles ; the constant practice of the Church, which imitated Christ in choosing only men ; and the Church's living teaching authority.

Bishop Bridget Mary:
This is a complete re-write of the Gospels! The Risen Christ appeared first to Mary of Magdala and called her to be the apostle to the apostles (John 20:17). Paul affirmed Junia as an apostle, who was his mentor and teacher in Romans 16. Note (Luke 10:42) Jesus' words to Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, as she sat at Jesus' feet listening to what he said(as disciples do)"Mary has chosen what is better,and it will not be taken away from her." Bishop Frank, neither you nor church tradition since the 12th century are powerful enough to take away what Jesus has clearly given to Mary and countless women disciples like Judith Beaumont-"it will not be taken away from her".

Bishop Frank:
In calling only men as His Apostles, Christ acted in a completely free and sovereign manner . Throughout His earthly ministry, Our Lord also emphasized the dignity a n d the vocation of women , and in so doing , did not conform to the prevailing customs, traditions , and legislation of the time. Still , among His twelve Apostles , Jesus Christ did not include any women. This fact withstands any so-called "scholarship" to the contrary. Sacred Scripture further reveals that Jesus did include the participation of women in His public ministry in ways that shows a differentiation of roles between men and women . Together both worked to build up the unity of the Church, avoiding divisiveness . Specific to the role of women, the Church gives thanks for the feminine "genius",
appearing in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and nations, and for the charisms of the Holy Spirit on women's manifestations of faith, hope and love .

Bishop Bridget Mary:
Luke 8 affirms that women were not only among Jesus disciples, but that there were many of them and they were leaders in supporting his ministry. Jesus was a radical feminist in his vision of a “discipleship of equals”. He had a theological conversation with the Samaritan woman, who became the first evangelist to bring her whole village to him. Martha’s profession of faith parallel’s Peter’s and her table ministry indicated that women presided at Eucharist in house churches in early Christianity. Jesus never spoke of feminine “genius", he treated women as equals to men, a reality lost on our present hierarchy, who try to wax eloquent about women’s second class citizenship in their own church by use of lofty phrases like you, Bishop Frank, used above. Roman Catholic Women Priests are the "Rosa Parks" of the Catholic Church. We will no longer settle for sitting in the back of the Catholic bus. Sexism, like racism is a sin and always wrong.

Bishop Frank:
Through the Sacrament of Baptism, all Christians , both men and women , share equally in the " common priesthood of believers . " Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders , priests also share in the " ministerial priesthood " of Christ , the High Priest . However, no individual has the "right" to be ordained to the ministerial priesthood. Ordination to the ministerial priesthood must be conferred by a validly ordained bishop on a baptized man. A candidate must receive the authorization of the Church, which has the authority and responsibility to determine if a true call to the priesthood exists for the said candidate.

Bishop Bridget Mary :
Jesus did not see himself as a “High Priest”. He came among us to transform our lives and world so that the kindom of God would be manifest through our witness to justice, inclusion and compassion. He showed us that those who are leaders/ ministers must serve our sisters and brothers in the washing of the feet ritual at the Last Supper. Jesus challenged the religious leaders of his time for their abuse of spiritual power and hypocrisy. Judith Beaumont's Ordination will be conferred by a validly ordained bishop as we (our bishops) clearly stand in the line of apostolic succession through the male bishop in standing with the pope who ordained the first women bishops.

Bishop Frank:
Below is a 1995 responsum, issued by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger [now Pope Benedict XVI] , then Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith , in response to the to the question of ,
"whether the teaching that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women , which is presented in the Apostolic Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis to be held definitively, is to be understood as belonging to the deposit of faith , '

Bishop Bridget Mary:
This is the ultimate cop-out. Of course, the church has authority to ordain women. It did so for twelve hundred years. There are thousands of ordained women in church history. The institutional church can no longer discriminate against women and blame God for it.

Bishop Frank:
Responsum : In the affirmative. This teaching requires definitive assent , since, founded on the written Word of God , and from the beginning constantly preserved and applied in the Tradition of
the Church , it has been set forth infallibly by the ordinary and universal Magisterium (cf Second Vatican Council , Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium 25 , 2). Thus, in the present circumstances , the Roman Pontiff, exercising his proper office of confirming the brethren (cf Lk 22:32) , has handed on this same teaching by a formal declaration, explicitly stating what is to be held always , everywhere , and by all , as belonging to the deposit of the faith .

Bishop Bridget Mary :
The Catholic faithful, including the world’s theologians, many priests, some bishops, did not affirm this teaching. Therefore, it is not infallible teaching because it does not reflect the faith of the believing community, the entire, universal church. It does not reflect the "sensus fidelium".

Bishop Frank :
Further, as you may know, on May 30, 2008 The Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith issued the general decree , "On the Delict of Attempted Sacred Ordination of
a Woman . " The decree affirms that , "he who shall have attempted to confer holy orders
on a woman , as well as the woman who may have attempted to receive Holy Orders , incurs in a latae sententiae excommunication," that is, an automatic excommunication. Further, reconciliation for this excommunication must come through the Holy See in Rome .

Bishop Bridget Mary:
We do not fear excommunication. Actually, we are walking in the footsteps of giants such as St. Joan of Arc, who was burned at the stake for following her conscience. Pope Benedict canonized two excommunicated nuns: Mother Theodore Guerin from the United States and Mother Mary MacKillop from Australia, thereby making excommunication a possible fast track to canonization! One day a future pope, perhaps, a woman, will probably say, according to the common and constant tradition of the church, taught by the apostles and lived through the history of the church for many centuries, we ordain women deacons, priests and bishops.

Bishop Frank:
As your Bishop , I urge you , to refrain from participating in what will be an invalid attempt at "ordination ." This opportunity is taken to inform you that, should you proceed with this action , you would in fact, separate yourself from the Catholic Church, by your own free choice .

Bishop Bridget Mary:
Nothing can separate us from God, nothing can cancel our baptism, nothing or no one can stop us from living the fullness of Christ’s love in a more open, just and inclusive Catholic Church. We are faithful women living Christ’s call to serve those in need and on the margins offering the church the gift of a renewed priestly ministry in a Christ-centered, inclusive Catholic Church.

Bishop Frank:
With this in mind, for the good of your immortal soul , I exhort you to choose not to participate i n this attempted " ordination . "

Bishop Bridget Mary:
Our souls are in God’s hands. We answer the call in prophetic obedience. We walk in faith and love, trusting in Christ and with Holy Wisdom, Sophia’s guidance, as we serve our beloved faith communities. Each week Catholics affirm women priests as they celebrate inclusive liturgies in Florida and in more and more places in the U.S. and abroad with our 124 ordained priests and deacons.

+ Frank Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of
Venice in Florida

+Bridget Mary Meehan
Bishop, Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (USA and South America)

"Fort Myers Woman Taking on Catholic Church"- NBC TV Story on Deacon Judy Beaumont's Upcoming Ordination in Ft. Myers, Florida on Januaray, 21st, 2012

2011-12-30T07:37:00.001-05:00

http://www.abc-7.com/story/16414897/2011/12/29/fort-myers-woman-taking-on-the-catholic-church
WZVN-TV
They're part of a worldwide group called the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. ..
... "to Beaumont, this is about more than seeking the role of priest. She's hoping to be part of a movement to bring equality among church leadership."We're the Rosa B. Parks of the Catholic Church trying to bring about change," Beaumont said. And despite the consequences, she says she isn't holding back The ceremony for Beaumont will be January 21 at 3 p.m. It will be held at the Lamb of God Lutheran-Episcopal Church."

Link to Songs:"NO" and "Rock Me Gentle" from Album "Her Wings Unfurled" by Colleen Fulmer

2011-12-30T07:29:00.004-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_N6ypnl8lA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL48C6F50EA3D5360B

Enjoy this beautiful,woman-affirming, life-affirming, inspirational music by Colleen Fulmer!

Deacon Judy Beaumont Responds to Bishop Frank Dewane's Letter About Her Upcoming Ordination as Priest- Prophetic Obedience to Spirit Trumps Threat of Excommunication

2011-12-29T21:43:00.010-05:00

Deacon Judy Beaumont's Response to Bishop Frank Dewane's Letter
December 26, 2011
Dear Bishop Dewane:
I have received your letter regarding my ordination on January 21, 2011. I understand that you are fulfilling your obligation as Bishop and I take your words seriously. However, I must reply that as I have tried throughout my life to answer the call of the Gospel to serve God’s people, I must again answer this new call to sacramental ministry with the poor and otherwise marginalized persons in our midst. Members of the Catholic community here including the people of the Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community and the Bishop of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests have affirmed my call, in fact, they also have called me forth to serve.

While a Benedictine sister, I served as theology teacher, sacristan, trainer of altar boys and member of liturgy committees. I never thought of myself as being called to the existing all-male clergy. However in recent years, it has become clear to me that I am called by God to take on the sacramental ministry with our people. Four of the formerly homeless persons from our ministry presented me to Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan for my ordination to the diaconate.

I am convinced that in spite of Ordinatio Sacerdotalis women are being called by God to ministerial priesthood. In prophetic obedience we must answer and my answer is “Yes”. Surveys of Catholic faithful have reported that the majority are in favor of the ordination of women. Recognition of a woman’s call to ordination by the Vatican probably won’t happen in my lifetime nor in yours, but I do believe it will happen.

As a member of the Pontifical Peace and Justice Commission and attendee at the Bejing Conference on Women, you must be aware of the many injustices suffered by women worldwide. What a difference it will make for all women in our world when the Roman Catholic Church recognizes that God calls women as well as men to ministerial priesthood. What a blessing for the Church and our world it will be.
Thank you for your concern. Oremus pro invicem.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Deacon Judith Beaumont

BISHOP DEWANE'S Letter:
December 1, 2011
Dear Ms. Beaumont:
Greetings in Christ!
It has been brought to my attention that you purportedly reside in the Diocese of
Venice in Florida and may attempt to be "ordained" to the ministerial priesthood here
within this Diocese on January 22, 2012. This is a most grave and serious matter of
consequence for your soul.

The Catholic Church has always taught that the Church has no authority to
confer priestly ordination on women. The Church shares this teaching with our Orthodox
Christian brothers and sisters. The ministerial priesthood is a gift from God, not
something that someone "earns," "deserves" or has a "right" to, due to advanced
education, devoted service in the Church, or simply because of one's own personal
desire. The reasons for this include: the example recorded in sacred Scripture of Christ
choosing His Apostles; the constant practice of the Church, which imitated Christ in
choosing only men; and the Church's living teaching authority.
In calling only men as His Apostles, Christ acted in a completely free and
sovereign manner. Throughout His earthly ministry, Our Lord also emphasized the
dignity and the vocation of women, and in so doing, did not conform to the prevailing
customs, traditions, and legislation of the time. Still, among His twelve Apostles, Jesus

Christ did not include any women. This fact withstands any so-called "scholarship" to the
contrary. Sacred Scripture further reveals that Jesus did include the participation of women
in His public ministry in ways that shows a differentiation of roles between men and
women. Together both worked to build up the unity of the Church, avoiding divisiveness.
Specific to the role of women, the Church gives thanks for the feminine "genius",
appearing in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and nations, and for the
charisms of the Holy Spirit on women's manifestations of faith, hope and love.
Through the Sacrament of Baptism, all Christians, both men and women, share
equally in the "common priesthood of believers." Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders,
priests also share in the "ministerial priesthood" of Christ, the High Priest. However, no
individual has the "right" to be ordained to the ministerial priesthood. Ordination to the
ministerial priesthood must be conferred by a validly ordained bishop on a baptized man.
A candidate must receive the authorization of the Church, which has the authority and
responsibility to determine if a true call to the priesthood exists for the said candidate.

Below is a 1995 responsum, issued by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger [now Pope
Benedict XVI], then Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, in response
to the to the question of, "whether the teaching that the Church has no authority
whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women, which is presented in the Apostolic
Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis to be held definitively, is to be understood as belonging to
the deposit of faith,'
The answer follows:
Responsum: In the affirmative.
This teaching requires definitive assent, since, founded on the written Word of
God, and from the beginning constantly preserved and applied in the Tradition of
the Church, it has been set forth infallibly by the ordinary and universal
Magisterium (cf Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
Lumen Gentium 25, 2). Thus, in the present circumstances, the Roman Pontiff,
exercising his proper office of confirming the brethren (cf Lk 22:32), has handed
on this same teaching by a formal declaration, explicitly stating what is to be held
always, everywhere, and by all, as belonging to the deposit of the faith.
Further, as you may know, on May 30, 2008 The Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith issued the general decree, "On the Delict of Attempted Sacred Ordination of
a Woman." The decree affirms that, "he who shall have attempted to confer holy orders
on a woman, as well as the woman who may have attempted to receive Holy Orders,
incurs in a latae sententiae excommunication," that is, an automatic excommunication.
Futher, reconciliation for this excommunication must come through the Holy See in
Rome.
As your Bishop, I urge you, to refrain from participating in what will be an invalid
attempt at "ordination." This opportunity is taken to inform you that, should you proceed
with this action, you would in fact, separate yourself from the Catholic Church, by your
own free choice.
With this in mind, for the good of your immortal soul, I exhort you to choose not to
participate in this attempted "ordination."
+ Frank Dewane
Bishop 0f the e Diocese of
Venice in Florida

Three Media Stories About Roman Catholic Women Priests: Florida, Minnesota, Califoria/ CBS TV in Ft. Myers Covers Judy Beaumont's Upcoming Ordination

2011-12-28T21:03:00.002-05:00

Judy Beaumont, in green stole on day of ordination as deacon,
was called by leaders of her Ft. Myers' Community. Women in Vestments
are Priests from Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

1) Local woman to be ordained priest, faces excommunication WINK Television Interview with Deacon Judy Beaumont, ARCWP
http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2011-12-28/Local-woman-to-be-ordained-priest-faces-excommunication
FORT MYERS, Fla.- "Judy Beaumont of Fort Myers will be ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church that she has served her entire adult life. Then, she will be excommunicated from the church, because only men are allowed to be priests. Our mission is to bring about a new church. A church that is inclusive of all people," Beaumont told WINK News.The 74-year-old operates the Good Shepard Ministry in Fort Myers, helping the poor and homeless. Beaumont says the people she serves have called her to be a priest, so she will be ordained in a ceremony in January. "It will be a joy for me to celebrate the eucharist and to lead the mass for the people at Good Shepard," Beaumont says. "I do look forward to celebrating mass and performing the sacrements."

2) Women priests seen as both threat, solution

ScrippsNews
"I'm as much Catholic -- I feel like it's a nationality -- as I am English, German and Polish," said Linda Wilcox, 64, who felt called to become a priest after working in the St. Paul library system for nearly 35 years. She is one of four women priests at Compassion of Christ.Women priests in Minnesota come from a variety of backgrounds: chaplain, librarian, even meteorologist."
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/66331

3) “Far from Rome”
California Catholic Daily

The Catholic Church is an anti-woman and homophobic institution requiring ... and a member of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement agreed during a ...

http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=e9c75d90-ee73-4480-bdac-8053ed312e3e

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests: A Renewed Priestly Ministry in a Community of Equals

2011-12-27T20:57:00.001-05:00

The ordained women of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) live and minister in the United States and South America. We prepare and ordain qualified women to serve the people of God as priests. We use equal rites to promote equal rights and justice for women in the church. We affirm that justice for all of God’s people is constitutive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Roman Catholic Women Priests (RCWP) initiative is a renewal movement within the Roman Catholic Church. Our goal is to achieve full equality for all within the Church as a matter of justice and faithfulness to the Gospel. The Women Priests movement advocates for a new model of inclusive priestly ministry in the church. We stand in the prophetic tradition of holy obedience to the Spirit who calls all people to discipleship. The movement began with the ordination of seven women on the Danube River in 2002. Today there are over 124 women priests and 10 bishops worldwide. Our women priests are ordained in Apostolic Succession. The first women bishops were ordained by a male Roman Catholic bishop in apostolic succession and in communion with the pope.

The Vatican states that we are excommunicated, however, we do not accept this and affirm that we are loyal members of the church. We continue to serve our beloved church in a renewed priestly ministry by welcoming all to celebrate the sacraments in inclusive, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered communities wherever we are called. There are women priest communities in Germany, Austria, France, Scotland, Canada, the United States, and South America. From our birth on the Danube River, RCWP has evolved into two streams in Europe (West and East), two in Canada (West and East), and two in the United States (RCWP USA and ARCWP. Someday streams will flow in Latin America and elsewhere.

The specific charism of ARCWP within the broader global Roman Catholic Women Priests initiative is to live Gospel equality and justice for all including women in the church and in society now. We work in solidarity with the poor, exploited, and marginalized for structural and transformative justice in partnership with all believers. Our vision is to act as a community of equals in decision-making both as an organization and within our faith communities. We advocate for the renewal of Jesus’ vision as found in the Gospel for our church and our world.

The unique focus of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is on justice and equality:

1. We seek equality for women in the church including decision-making and ordination.

2. We minister with the poor and marginalized.

3. We live the spiritual and social justice tradition of the church serving inclusive communities of equals.

4. We actively and openly participate in non-violent movements for peace and justice.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan http://www.blogger.com/goog_2030030847

Judy Lee, Circle Leader judyabl@embarqmail.com 239-454-7426

Janice Sevre-Duszyska, Media Contact rhythmsofthedance@msn.com cell: 859-684-4247

A Message from Priests and Clergy Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors

2011-12-27T19:07:00.001-05:00

Some of us are priests of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and some of us are survivors of childhood rape and sexual assault by priests. In the wake of the bankruptcy filing by the archdiocese this year, we have joined together as survivors and clergy in an ongoing dialogue about the clergy sex abuse crisis and what we can do about it.
The sexual abuse of a minor by a priest is a crime and a sin. If you were sexually violated by a member of the clergy it was not your fault. We want you to know:

• If you suffered this violation you are not alone.
• There are many survivors who have come forward and are receiving the care and assistance that they need.
• There are many resources in our community that are available to assist you and you can choose to use them or not.
We stand by you and support you.
• To be believed you must be heard. No one else will know unless you tell them.

EACH OF US BELIEVES that at the center of the human heart is
an absolute longing for justice. We are committed to creating among
priests and survivors a true and lasting community of justice.
Over the next months we want to widen our conversation to include
other priests and survivors in the archdiocese, especially those that
have already expressed a desire to join with us.

AS PRIESTS AND PASTORS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE,
we publicly declare our unqualified support to every victim/survivor.
We hold ourselves and our institution fully accountable for any action
or inaction that may have allowed these crimes to occur, the
offender to go unpunished, and other children to be harmed. We areWe believe that, in order for our church and our community to heal,
truly sorry that this happened to you.

there will need to be a full institutional accounting of the crimes
that have taken place in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Victim/Survivors
and their families have told us how important it is that they
know the truth about what happened to them in their church. But,
it is also important for each one of us.
Obviously, we are very tardy in making this public statement of
apology, support, and accountability. But, making this statement
now is better than remaining silent.

AS VICTIM/SURVIVORS OF THESE CRIMES, we declare our
unqualified support for every priest who takes the courageous step
of publicly standing with survivors.
Shame is logically and naturally created when a child is sexually
violated. But that shame is rarely, if ever, felt by the offender.
Instead, the offender pours that shame into the body of the child.
If justice does not intervene to lift that weight, eventually the soul and
aspirations of that child will be crushed by it.
If even the possibility of spiritual repair with the church is to become
real and effective for survivors, priests of the archdiocese must
courageously join us and insist upon a full and public confession,
which must include the open publication of all abuse related
documents in possession of the archdiocese and of the religious orders
serving in the archdiocese, detailing a full and explanatory
list of all clerics and employees who have harmed children and minors.

THE SEX OFFENDER ALWAYS commits two crimes: first he
steals the body, and then he steals the voice. The first and last moment
of the miracle of recovery from sexual violence—for the victim,
for the offender, and for an institution--is the resurrection of the
voice through words of truth.

We want there to be hope. We want there to be healing.
We want a new day for the church.
For victim/survivors who may still be living in silence or shame,
we hope this public plea from us—as survivors and priests working
together--to come forward before the February 1, 2012 court date
for filing a case for restitution through the bankruptcy process and
to seek help and guidance with this decision through the resources
we have posted below will be a beginning in creating together the
community of justice, which we all long for.

Mike Sneesby, SNAP Milwaukee Director (survivor)

Karen Konter, female advocate, (survivor)

Peter J. Isely, MS, M.Div, LCSW, SNAP Midwest Director (survivor)

John Pilmaier, MSW, APSW, SNAP Wisconsin Director (survivor)

Vicky A. Schneider, MAPS (survivor)

Marilynn Pilmaier, RN, BSN (mother of survivor)

Fr. Richard Cerpich
Fr. James Connell

Fr. Gregory Greiten
Fr. Howard G. Haase

Resources in our community:

The Healing Center: 414-671-4325

http://thehealingcenter.org/

Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault:

608-257-1516 608-257-2537 (TTY) www.wcasa.org

Sexual Assault Treatment Center:

414-219-5555 (A crisis counselor is available 24 hours a day. Non-crisis

information/referral is available M-F 8:30-5:00)

http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/sexual-assault/satc.asp

Counsel for Creditor’s Committee (of survivors)

for information regarding the bankruptcy: 1-888-496-8643

SNAP (Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests)

Peter J Isely: 414-429-7259

John Pilmaier: 414-336-8575

Mike Sneesby: 414-915-4374

www.snapwisconsin.com

Archdiocese of Milwaukee:

414-758-2232 www.archmil.org

Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office:

Sensitive Crimes Division: (if you would like to speak to a member

of the law enforcement community concerning a sexual assault)

414-278-4617

Your local police department or county office for health and human

services.

Any other resource that you trust.

If you would like to contact one of us whose names are listed above,

call Fr. Jim Connell at 414-940-8054 or John Pilmaier at 414-336-8575.
Today we are making an urgent appeal to victim/survivors

to come forward before the closing of the February 1, 2012

bankruptcy bar date, and offer our help.

"Christmas Pondering" by Sr. Anne Brooks

2011-12-26T23:33:00.000-05:00

WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

What was it like,

O God, Creator of the seemingly infinite universe,

to chose the Star of Bethlehem timeless eons before the earth was formed

so the length of those light years' distance

would be a perfect co-incidence for the birth of your Son?

And what was it like,

O amorphous cloud of interstellar gasses,

to birth a light-bearing mass from the inky-ness of the black-hole-depths of space

specifically to honor the King of Kings?

And what was it like,

O Sun,

to allow gravity to form, in this universe,

to rein in your planets,

to measure the perfect distance for life to form

and to hear God call you to rule over the Day on this yet-to-be perfect world

where God would walk in the cool of the evening, and later in the heat of the day?

And what was it like,

O World,

when people were formed from the mud of the earth,

molded by the loving hands of God,

life-breath transmitted into them by the Spirit of God,

interstellar dust in their sinews and bones,

and yet who failed to obey their Creator,

allowing evil to attempt to try to change civilization?

And you,

O Star of Wonder,

your light speeding through space,

what did you think of how the stage was being set

for a Redeemer

for these troubled and battered people?

And what was it like,

O Star, when that wondrous night finally arrived in the Fullness of Time?

Did you see His mom? Did you see Him? Was He cute?

And did He cry?

And did you dance for joy?

And you,

O Star of Night,

did you see the Magi pointing at you, night after night, mile after mile after mile?

And did you hear them murmuring about your beauty

and pondering your reason to be there?

and what did you think of that dangerous journey you guided them on

so they could see what you had seen?

And what has happened to you,

O Starlight, which reached our world that night?

You didn't go out, like the flame of a candle --

your source of Light continues burning on

Instead, you keep on shining even now, into our own lives,

giving our civilization an inheritance to treasure

so that we see the light tonight that saw God's only Son

and now we know that

we must look with God's Eyes

and listen with God's Ears

and love with God's Heart which is beating in our hearts

and do God's Work on this Earth in such a way

that it will become as bright as your light,

as eternal as your light

full of praise for God, Whose children we are

and who can live forever, endless as your light, eternal as our God...
Christmas, A.D 2011

Popular Irish Journalist, Olivia O'Leary Leaves the Catholic Church Over Stance on Women Priests/ Roman Catholic Women Priests Stand on Prophetic Margins for Justice and Equality

2011-12-26T22:29:00.000-05:00

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/oleary-leaves-catholic-church-over-stance-on-women-priests-16095543.html
"Veteran Irish broadcaster Olivia O'Leary has made a very public departure from the Catholic Church. The Carlow-born journalist, best known for her "we were a bit worried about the curtsy" tribute to the Queen during the monarch's State visit, renounced Catholicism because of the church's refusal to ordain women, though the institutional cover-up of clerical child sex abuse was a "proximate factor"... "No longer at my age can I accept a subordinate role; not for myself, not for my daughter, not for my sisters, my nieces or friends," the 61-year-old current affairs presenter declared. She added that other women had walked out of the church a long time ago. "
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
I hope that Olivia O' Leary is aware of the international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement. I spoke to the Irish press about our movement over a year ago and RTE aired a special program on women's ordination. Roman Catholic Women Priests are the "Rosa Parks" of the Catholic Church. We refuse to accept second class citizenship in our own church. We are not leaving the church, but leading the church into a new era of justice and equality for women.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
sofiabmm@aol.com

We, from the Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community in Fort Myers, Florida wish you a Blessed Christmas!

2011-12-25T22:50:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures of our young people who acted out the Christmas Story with the Luke 2 Gospel Reading during Christmas Eve Mass. Ty is 18 today, and Jolinda is 14 and Keion is 10 and Jakeriya 9. Jakeriya took me to task to make sure girls could be shepherds! She was so right. We had no camera during Mass so these pictures were taken afterward during our fellowship, hot Christmas Meal and Sunday School Classes. Only three years ago our children had no idea of what happened on Christmas or Easter, now they are all baptized and deeply love the Christ they celebrate at Christmas. We are so thankful for our whole community, and for those who could not be there and for our faithful supporters. About 35 people attended our special Christmas Eve Mass and celebration. There was such joy and love-we knew Christmas had really come and we wish all of you the love of Christmas.

Pastor Judy Lee, ARCWP,Priest

Judy Beaumont, ARCWP Deacon

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, first female Episcophal bishop of the Washington DC Diocese, Interviewed on Diann Rehm Show

2011-12-25T21:50:00.000-05:00

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-12-21/bishop-mariann-edgar-budde
A decade of schism in the American Episcopal Church has taken a toll. New polls show the number of Episcopalians in the U.S. has dipped below two million for the first time in modern history. The church is losing conservatives who say it is too secular and accepting of gays and lesbians. Liberals are leaving to find spirituality not based on a centuries-old theology. The first female bishop of the Washington D.C. diocese -- one of the nation’s largest and home to the National Cathedral -- has a plan. She’s looking for ways to grow the church and bring people together. Diane talks with the Right Reverend Mariann Budde about saving the Episcopal Church.

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Celebrates Christmas in Sarasota, Florida

2011-12-25T00:15:00.002-05:00

"We Are Called"/ A Meditation Slideshow of ARCWP/Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

2011-12-23T23:24:00.003-05:00

A Musical "Tribute" to Corporations/ Let the 99% Rejoice!

2011-12-23T23:03:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws0WSNRpy3g

"A Christmas Story" by Judy Lee, ARCWP/Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

2011-12-23T22:23:00.024-05:00

Ben

Ben and Judy Lee

Judy Beaumont and Ben

Good Shepherd Ministries of SWFL, INC.

Dear Friends,
As we approach Christmas 2011 and the indwelling of Christ that brings new life, once again our hearts are full of gratitude for the love you have shown us and our people. We continue our work of housing the homeless and feeding the hungry. When Deborah age 60, moves into Goodwill Housing next week, she will be the 66th person we have housed. We also have expanded our ministry with children and youth. We now serve 20 youngsters full of life and joy and growing in their understanding of God’s love and Jesus’ way. This year has been full of stories of transformation, hope, growth and life that Christmas brings. We share our joy with you.
We are invited to Ben’s home.

A Christmas Story

His Christmas tree stands proudly on a table

and he offers us homemade soup

as he brings his handcrafted ships for us to admire.

They are perfect replicas and one could never guess they

are meticulously and carefully carved from pop sticks.

His home is lovely and smoke free as a heart attack

last year gave him the strength to

put smoking and alcohol aside for good.

He leans back in his chair and recalls the day

we collected him from his Dumpster and

brought him to this home three years ago.

“I would have died there, I am sure of it”

he said. “And now I love my life and cannot say

thank you enough to God, and to you, my friends.”

“No” we say, “thank you, Ben, you are a master craftsman

carving a new life with the Carpenter of Nazareth.

It is a joy to share your life, Thank you, Ben”.

And a blessed Christmas and New Year to all.

(Judy Lee, ARCWP and Judy Beaumont, ARCWP, serve the poor and low-income people in the Ft. Myers area. They have a weekly Inclusive Catholic Mass at Joshua House. For more information, email: judyabl@embarqmail.com , judybeaumont@embarqmail.com )

Promote Justice and Equality for Women in the Church With Your Financial Support of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

2011-12-22T21:35:00.000-05:00

Dear Supporter of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests,

Our Spirit-led movement for Gospel equality, nonviolence, justice and a people-empowered Church continues to grow.
At the end of March our second woman priest was ordained in Latin America! We now have candidates in the U.S. and Latin America! We are in a new moment! On September 10, 2011, two women were ordained priests, including our first from Texas, 84-year-old Adele Jones and our first from Connecticut, Dorothy M. Shugrue and Donna Rougeux from Kentucky was ordained deacon. In November Judy Beaumont was ordained a deacon. Judy has been involved with our movement almost since the very beginning and we are thrilled that she is on the journey toward priesthood. We are planning for the ordination of our five deacons in 2012.
Media – television, radio, print and Internet – have helped get the word out. We collaborate with Women's Ordination Conference and Call to Action to support Fr. Roy Bourgeois who said. “...it is my conscience that compels me to say publicly that the exclusion of women from the priesthood is a grave injustice against women, against our Church and against our Loving God who calls both men and women to the priesthood.”
A new vision is rising up: one of Gospel equality, nonviolence and justice in our church and world community!
That’s what ARCWP is about. In the friendship that Jesus offers us, we work to bring about the Kin-dom by serving and being with the grassroots, the poor and marginalized and “being out there” for justice and peace challenging the powers that be. As a branch of the international women priest movement, our charism calls us to name the connections between sexism and violence toward women, children and the planet. We do this locally, nationally, and internationally.
We know that we can count on you to support our efforts. Make your tax-deductible donation to
ARCWP
18520 Eastshore Drive
Ft. Myers, Florida 33967
Check out Bridget Mary’s blog for the latest in the movement! http://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/
and our website: http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Blessings as we move forward together...
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
P.S. Don't miss "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican" when it comes to your community!

Historic Ordination of Judy Beaumont of Ft. Myers as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest / Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

2011-12-22T07:57:00.001-05:00

Release date: December 22, 2011
Contact: Janice Sevre-Duszynska at 859-684-4247, rhythmsofthedance@msn.com
Bridget Mary Meehan, 941-955-2313, 703-505-0004, sofiabmm@aol.com
Judy Beaumont, 239-454-7426, judybeaumont@embarqmail.com
See http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
http://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/

On Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Judy Beaumont of Ft. Myers will be ordained a priest in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. The presiding bishop will be Bridget Mary Meehan of Sarasota and Falls Church, Virginia. The ceremony will take place at Lamb of God Lutheran-Episcopal Congregation, 19691 Cypress View Drive, Ft. Myers, Florida 33967 (239-267-3525, Walter Fohs, Senior Pastor). Prior to the ordination, at 1:00 p.m. there will be a viewing of "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican," the award-winning documentary of the struggle for justice for women in the Roman Catholic Church. All are welcome to attend.

The ordinand, Judy Beaumont, 74, has a rich and varied background as a religious sister, peace activist and as a minister to the poor and homeless. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago at seventeen and remained in their service for 35 years as a teacher and a volunteer resettling Vietnamese refugees. During this time she earned a bachelor's degree from Mundelein College and a Masters in Religious Education from Loyola University. In 1981 she left Chicago for Connecticut to join the anti-nuclear peace witness near Groton, Connecticut, at that time the home of the Trident Submarine, an instrument of mass death. In 1982, she was a member of the Trident Nein Plowshares nonviolent action which resulted in prison time. Later she helped to start My Sisters' Place, a shelter for homeless women and children in Hartford.

In 1989, she and Judy Lee, her partner in ministry, left Connecticut. Judy worked in two mission parishes and also became the director of religious education for a large parish in Fort Myers. This service was interrupted by her bout with a rare leukemia which she miraculously vanquished with the help of God in 2007. In 2008 she helped establish Good Shepherd Ministries of SW Florida, Inc. and works tirelessly serving the poor and homeless of Fort Myers. She is called forth by Call to Action of Southwest Florida and the Church of the Good Shepherd: an inclusive Catholic Community where she has served in a deacon's role since 2007. The church is located at 2621 Central Ave., Ft. Myers, FL 33901.
"Although immersed in all things Catholic since birth, I never experienced a call to the 'males-only' clerical priesthood." said Judy Beaumont. "After witnessing the renewed priestly ministry of women, it only seems right that I follow their example and call to join in bringing about a new inclusive church leading in the work for justice and equality in solidarity with marginalized and oppressed persons. It is so unfortunate that the Vatican takes a fundamentalist view of the Gospel when claiming that women cannot be ordained since Jesus chose only male apostles. Their failure to listen to contemporary Catholic Biblical scholars who find no basis in Scripture for a male-only clergy continues to relegate women to second class membership. Just think what it would do for women's rights worldwide, if the Vatican were to recognize and allow women's ordination."

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests rejoices in a "holy shakeup" that millions of Catholics worldwide welcome. The good news now is that male priests, bishops, a cardinal as well as theologians have expressed their support of female priests. They are following in the footsteps of Maryknoll Roy Bourgeois whose prophetic call for a dialogue on women priests is being heard in more and more places today in our church.

Fr. Roy Bourgeois attended, delivered the homily and participated in the ordination rite of Janice Sevre-Duszynska on Aug. 9, 2008. This resulted in his excommunication and Vatican attempts to pressure Maryknoll to dismiss him from the Order.

"Nothing can stop the movement of the spirit toward human rights, justice and equality in our world and in our church," said Bridget Mary Meehan. "The full equality of women is the voice of God in our time."

The Women Priests movement in the Roman Catholic Church advocates a new model of priestly ministry united with the people with whom we minister. We stand in prophetic obedience to Jesus who calls women and men to be disciples and equals. The movement began with the ordination of seven women on the Danube in 2002. Today there are over 124 in the movement worldwide. ARCWP is in the United States and Latin America. Our specific charism within the broader global Roman Catholic Women Priests initiative is to live Gospel equality and justice for women in the church and in society now. We work in solidarity with the poor and marginalized for transformative justice in partnership with all believers. Our vision is to live as a community of equals in decision-making both as an organization and within all our faith communities. We advocate for a renewal of the vision of Jesus in the Gospel for our church and our world.

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests: A Slideshow Meditation Created by Deacon Donna Rougeux, ARCWP

2011-12-21T22:21:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_yF0GlnwO4

Enjoy this beautiful slideshow of our women priests and deacons serving God's people in inclusive, egalitarian communities in the United States and Latin America. Deacon Donna Rougeux created this prayerful reflection of our call to live Gospel justice and equality in solidarity with the marginalized, poor and oppressed in the church and world.
We wish you a blessed Christmas and New Year.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

"Is it OK to Elect Catholics?" By NEIL STEINBERG /Chicago Sun Times

2011-12-21T22:14:00.000-05:00

http://www.suntimes.com/news/steinberg/9524518-452/is-it-still-ok-to-elect-catholics.html
nsteinberg@suntimes.com

December 18, 2011 5:38PM

".... The cardinal might not like it — I’m sure he doesn’t. But plenty of the faithful join the governor in considering themselves good Catholics while conducting parts of their lives in ways “not consistent” with church policy — just last week a survey showed 98 percent of Catholic women use birth control banned by the church. (We’re fortunate that the cardinal has not challenged the governor over which form he uses, at least not yet). Much Catholic doctrine isn’t even followed by Catholics, yet church leaders would dragoon government to force it upon the rest of the state anyway.What Quinn has done to draw church censure — for those of you not up to date — is present an award to a rape victim at a pro-choice dinner, and lead a state whose laws forbid discrimination against citizens due to their sexual orientation, which means the church had to decide whether to place homeless children with gay couples, or get out of the adoption business. It chose to get out of the adoption business — you can debate among yourselves whether that is a choice a loving God would smile upon..."

..."If at election time I were to say, “You can’t vote for Pat Quinn — he’s a Catholic and will be bullied into strictly following church doctrine” — I’d be accused of bias and rightly so. Yet the cardinal is trying to do exactly that, to exercise an authority over public life he does not and should not possess.Quinn attended 13 years of Catholic school — the church already had its chance to mold him. Now he is 63 and an adult. It is Quinn, and not Cardinal George, who gets to decide how his faith influences his life. I’m sorry to be the one to deliver the news."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Neil Steinberg hits the nail on the head! How dare Cardinal George bully Governor Pat Quinn to impose the hierarchy's teachings on the Illinois voters. It is true that Catholics follow their consciences on the hot button issues mentioned in the article above, and many dissent from the official teaching of the institutional church.
What the Cardinal George needs to learn is that Pat Quinn and many other Catholics no longer fear the crack of a crozier across the knuckles.
Another example is the Irish Governmentwhich closed the Irish embassy in Rome and is holding the Vatican accountable for the sexual abuse cover-up.

Say Yes! Help End the Silencing of Catholic Women!

2011-12-20T23:14:00.000-05:00

Say Yes! Help End the Silencing of Catholic Women!

"Massive Abuse Scandal Shatters Dutch Catholic Church"/Salon.com

2011-12-18T21:12:00.005-05:00

http://open.salon.com/blog/lost_in_berlin/2011/12/16/massive_abuse_scandal_shatters_dutch_catholic_church
"[c]elibacy in itself doesn’t have to lead to rape. But it can give priests and bishops the idea that they are somehow on a higher spiritual plane. That narcissistic spirituality is the dark side of the church, the idea that you are better than others. They set themselves up to be a-sexual beings and that is how they are perceived, by their victims as well. That is what made it such a terrible and lonely experience for them: how could a priest sin? It was inconceivable so nobody believed them. The damage these people suffered at the hands of people who were supposed to be paragons of virtue is incalculable...The scandal has already cost the Catholic Church its influence in Dutch society. According to a report released yesterday, 86% of the population in the heavily Catholic province of Brabant have lost virtually all their faith in the institution."

Join us in Praying a Modern Version of O Antiphons, an Ancient Prayer of the Church, as You Prepare to Celebrate the Birth of Jesus

2011-12-18T00:45:00.001-05:00

(left to right) Priests: Lee Breyer, Katy Zatsick, Bridget Mary Meehan, Michael Rigdon

Katy Zatsick presided at our Fourth Sunday of Advent liturgy.
O Antiphons:
Psalm Response;
Come O Wisdom, Sophia's child (and Mary's too) bring us back to you.
Come O Adonai, Child of Ancient Israel set us free of fear, despair, and misogyny.
Come O Flower of jesse's tree, uproot out hatreds wash us clean in just-reign waters. Plant us deep in thee.
Come O Key of David, open heaven's gate, unlock, unblock, this captive people too long enthralled with hate.
Come O Radiant Dawn, dispel death's dark shadow, light the way of all who long
to preach, to teach, to consecrate heavenly Hosts of God's indwelling.
Come O Emmanuel, God's gladsome "with us" news, strengthen weary arms, steady trembling knees. Bring surcease of sorrow.
Come O Advent Light, pierce December gloom, quicken our waiting world with life's fresh blessed tomorrow. Bring joyful tidings of God's new birth, come through the labor of a woman, borne
So all will know Emmanuel. Amen.
(adapted by Katy Zatsick from Chris Schenk csj O Antiphons 10/98)

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
A blessed week before Christmas to all! May you experience the presence of God with you and the presence of God within you in all you think, say and do during this sacred time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus' birth!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
sofiabmm@aol.com

"Institutional Dutch Catholic Abuse 'Affected Thousands'"/BBC News

2011-12-16T23:24:00.000-05:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16216174
"Tens of thousands of children have suffered sexual abuse in Dutch Catholic institutions since 1945, a report says. The report by an independent commission said Catholic officials had failed to tackle the widespread abuse at schools, seminaries and orphanages. But the report also found that one in five children who attended an institution suffered abuse - regardless of whether it was Catholic.
"This episode fills us with shame and sorrow," said a bishops' statement.
The commission, which began work in August 2010, sought to uncover what had gone on and how it had happened, and examined what kind of justice should be offered to victims.
It was triggered by allegations of abuse at a Catholic school in the east Netherlands, which prompted other alleged victims to come forward."

"Fighting Tradition, A Catholic Womanpriest Leads Mass in East Village"by Brigid Bergin

2011-12-16T11:54:00.001-05:00

http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2011/dec/16/roman-cathlic-womanpriest-east-village/
This is not a new debate. Among the scholars who have weighed in on the issue, Paul Lakeland wrote a book 37 years ago called, Can Women Be Priests? He's the director of the Center for Catholic Studies at Fairfield University, a Jesuit school in Connecticut. There is no sound theological reason why women can’t be ordained,” Lakeland said.He continues to support women's ordination and knows another woman priest who runs a small parish just outside of Boston. Most theologians would say that Jesus didn’t ordain anybody,” Lakeland said.He added that the development of ministry took several centuries, and given what we know about men and women today compared to what we thought about men and women 2,000 years ago, “there’s no reason that ordination could not be extended to them. But there are many conservative Catholic theologians who would not agree with me.”
"But for Gabriella Velardi Ward — and the other Roman Catholic Womenpriests — they are not waiting for permission from Rome. The change has happened. Ward defines herself as a Catholic priest, leading a parish, looking to enhance the ministry she provides to her congregation.While the Vatican has clearly stated its position against women priests, the future of this movement will depend on whether everyday Catholics are open to embracing a new tradition."

"Infallibility" and Equality in Catholicism by Sister Chris Schenk, csj / Excellent article

2011-12-16T11:46:00.002-05:00

http://futurechurch.org/fpm/infallibility.htm
Some conclusions and some questions:

It appears that the Vatican is being deluged with faithful Catholic people who, far from having "doubts" about the teaching on the non-ordination of women, are in fact actively in favor of ordaining them.

Could this issue have more to do with Church politics than with theology? Given the fact that there is a Eucharistic famine all over the world because of the priest shortage, wouldn't it make more sense for our leadership to be thinking about who they can include in the priesthood rather than who they want to leave out?

Presuming that Catholics must accept the non-ordination of women, what will the all male church hierarchy do to actively implement women's equality (which they are always so careful to say they support) in the church? Where are the women Cardinals? How may qualified women participate in the selection of the next Pope? What dioceses will be open for qualified women to govern, much as the medieval abbesses functioned as Bishops?

Vatican officials delight in saying that women are "different but equal." Unfortunately ,only men have defined this kind of "equality." Women have been forbidden to join the conversation, and when they do try to offer a different theological perspective based on recent biblical scholarship, efforts are made to brand them as heretics. "Equality" seems to mean that male Catholics are equally entitled to make the rules and female Catholics are equally entitled to obey them.

Somehow, I can¹t believe that this was what Jesus had in mind when he commissioned Magdalen to go and tell her fellow apostles that He had, indeed, risen from the dead

First Criminal Hearing for Bishop Finnhead of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese Moved to January

2011-12-15T11:23:00.003-05:00

http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/first-criminal-hearing-bishop-finn-moved-january
Dec. 14, 2011
Joshua J. McElwee
"The first hearing in the criminal case against Bishop Robert W. Finn, head of the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese, has been postponed until Jan. 12.
Both Finn and the diocese were charged in October by authorities in Jackson County, Mo., with separate counts of failing to report suspected child abuse in the case of Fr. Shawn Ratigan, a diocesan priest who was arrested in May for child pornography.
The hearing was originally scheduled for Dec. 15. Mike Mansur, the communications director of the Jackson County prosecutor’s office, told NCR the delay came at the request of the bishop’s lawyers.
News of the delay comes about a month after Finn dodged separate charges of failing to report abuse in Clay County, Mo., by agreeing to give the prosecutor there wide-ranging oversight of diocesan review procedures in the county. The diocesan chancery is located in Jackson County. The parish where Ratigan last served as pastor is in Clay County. "

Christmas-Santa Lucia-Sweden

2011-12-13T21:16:00.001-05:00

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2-Q_ObdE-4&feature=related

"Female Priests Push Catholic Boundaries"/ Minneapolis Star Tribune Newspaper Article about Compassion of Christ Catholic Community

2011-12-13T12:42:00.000-05:00

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/135386288.html
"Dressed in a priestly white robe and green stole, Monique Venne lifted communion bread before an altar -- defying centuries of Catholic Church law.Despite promises of excommunication from the Vatican, she and six other women in Minnesota say they are legitimate, ordained Catholic priests, fit to celebrate the mass. They trace their status through a line of ordained women bishops back to anonymous male bishops in Europe."We love the church, but we see this great wrong," said Venne, 54, who cofounded Compassion of Christ Church, a Minneapolis congregation that just celebrated its first anniversary. "Not allowing women to be at the altar is a denigration of their dignity. We want the church to be the best it can be. If one leaves, one cannot effect change. So we're pushing boundaries.""Minnesota has emerged as a hotbed for the growing movement to ordain women as priests, with the highest per-capita number of female Catholic priests in the nation, according to the organization Roman Catholic Womenpriests. Women priests are working in the Twin Cities, Red Wing, Winona, Clear Lake and soon St. Cloud. The group claims about 70 women priests in the United States and more than 100 worldwide..."

Gaudete, Rejoice! Dance in the Rain, Everyday is Christmas! - Homily Reflection by Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP

2011-12-11T07:18:00.001-05:00

The message today is found in our second reading: Rejoice, Pray always, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

A story that has circulated on the internet is one example of living this message in our daily lives.

A man had breakfast everyday with his wife who had suffered from alzheimer’s. She no longer knew him and was in a nursing home. When asked why he kept it up, he said “she does not know me, he said, but I still know who she is.”

So the author of the story summarized it this way: “love is an acceptance of all that is, all that has been, all that will be and will not be. Life is not about how to survive, but how to learn to dance in the rain.”

In the responsorial psalm we prayed the Magnificat. In her prayer for justice, Mary, a young, pregnant, woman, who could have been stoned to death, reminds us that God is on the side of liberation and justice. “The Bible reveals God”, Elizabeth Johnson writes, “as compassionate lover of justice, on the side of the oppressed to the point where those who oppress the poor insult their Marker.” (Proverbs 14:31)Quest for the Living God, p.76.

In an excerpt from the Associated press story, 3 women accept Nobel Peace Prize:

Gbowee, 39, challenged Liberia's warlords as she campaigned for women's rights and against rape. In 2003, she led hundreds of female protesters through Monrovia to demand swift disarmament of fighters, who continued to prey on women, despite a peace deal.

"We used our pains, broken bodies and scarred emotions to confront the injustices and terror of our nation," she told the Nobel audience in Oslo's City Hall.

She called the peace prize a recognition of the struggle for women's rights not only in Yemen and Liberia, but anywhere that women face oppression.

"We must continue to unite in sisterhood to turn our tears into triumph," Gbowee said. "There is no time to rest until our world achieves wholeness and balance, where all men and women are considered equal and free."

In the Gospels we encounter Jesus who reveals God’s compassion to the poor, the rejected, the outcastes and “offered table companionship so inclusive that it gave scandal.” Johnson concludes , “Deeply affected not only by poverty, but by the sin of sexism in the structures of church and society, women, the excluded among the excluded , realize that God’s preferential option for the poor is an option for poor women.” (Quest of the Living God) p. 77

With Mary, we rejoice, pray always and give thanks in all circumstances that God will triumph over every injustice.

Like Mary and Elisabeth, we are called to support one another as companions on the journey in our struggles, doubts and fears, over our tears. Sometimes this occurs over conversations that take months, --even years and many cups of tea. Like Mary, first priest, who could say, this is my body, this is my blood, we are all called as the Body of Christ to birth Christ in our world in all that we do and say each day, no matter what the cost!

We rejoice, pray always and give thanks in all circumstances as we wrap presents, decorate, write Christmas cards, serve others, that while Advent is a special season of preparation, every day is Christmas!

Mindy Lou Simmons sang “Every day is Christmas”
(For those in the Sarasota area, you can experience Mindy Simmons' beautiful music on Dec. 16th, Friday at 7 PM at St. Boniface Church. Siesta Key Tickets available at the door.)

Sharing by Community in Dialogue Homily (After hymn, the community shared their responses to readings for 3rd Sunday of Advent. )
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
sofiabmm@aol.com

Video Clips of Mary Mother of Jesus (MMOJ) Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy on 3rd Sunday of Advent -Dec. 11, 2011

2011-12-11T06:47:00.001-05:00

http://youtu.be/HbOc0w9wYOY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n3NuZsHpE0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNSW9nNt6GQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqWIXgjBiYY

3 Women Accept Nobel Peace Prize / Associated Press/ Historic Moment for Women Working for Justice and Equality Everywhere

2011-12-10T15:35:00.000-05:00

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_NOBEL_PRIZES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-12-10-12-00-27

EXCERPTS:
"...calling on repressed women worldwide to rise up against male supremacy."
"There is no time to rest until our world achieves wholeness and balance, where all men and women are considered equal and free."

Bridget Mary's Reflection
3 Women Accept Nobel Peace Prize is a historic moment for women working for justice and equality everywhere. They remind us that justice and equality are values that are shared by people of good will, of every faith, and of no faith throughout the world. These three women reflect the hopes of millions and are part of God's liberating activity at work in transforming sexism in religious institutions and in society. Indeed, something we can all celebrate in our journey toward partnership and equality.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
sofiabmm@aol.com

"You Reap What You Sow!"/Author Unknown

2011-12-10T10:36:00.000-05:00

Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on ground.

The man slowly looked up.

This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.. "Leave me alone," he growled.

To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling --- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it.."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business.."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled... "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a godly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

`The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so --- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally, I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said.. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons ...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus... He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways...

"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And. And thank you for the coffee."

God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor.

If you believe, send it.

If you don't believe, delete it.

God closes doors no man can open and God opens doors no man can close.

If you need God to open some doors for you... send this on.

Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing.

LIVE WELL, LOVE MUCH, LAUGH OFTEN

NEVER GROW A WISHBONE

WHERE A BACKBONE OUGHT TO BE
(Author Unknown)

"To My Brothers- Catholic Bishops of Minnesota"/ Herbert W. Chilstrom is Former Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

2011-12-09T20:14:00.001-05:00

In 1976 I was elected a Lutheran bishop in Minnesota – one of seven such Lutheran leaders in the state. Over the next years one of the highlights of my time in office was the annual noon-to-noon retreat with our eight Catholic counterparts in the state.
The bond that developed between us was deep and respectful. We shared our differences; we celebrated our likenesses. My friendship with Archbishop John Roach and Bishop Raymond Lucker, in particular, is a blessing I will treasure as long as I live.
May I share a word with all of you who now lead the Roman Catholic community of faith in Minnesota?
First, I would go to the wall to defend your right to work for the adoption of the so-called marriage protection amendment. Having said that, I must tell you that I believe you are making a significant mistake.
Over my 35 years as an active and retired bishop I have come to know hundreds of gay and lesbian persons. I have yet to meet even one who is opposed to the marriage of one man and one woman. After all, they are the daughters and sons of such unions.
What they cannot understand is why church leaders would oppose their fundamental desire and right to be in partnership with someone they love and respect who happens to be of the same gender and sexual orientation. They don't understand why they should not enjoy all the rights and privileges their straight counterparts take for granted.
More than a half century ago Father Francis Gilligan spoke out for equality for African American citizens of Minnesota. Though many argued on the basis of the Bible that these neighbors were inferior to others, Gilligan fought tirelessly for justice for these brothers and sisters.
In our generation homosexual persons are subject to the same discrimination. Their detractors often use the Bible and tradition as weapons of choice.
Is it not time for religious leaders, walking in the footsteps of Father Gilligan, to do the same for another minority, neighbors who are as responsible as our African American sisters and brothers?
I also suggest that you ask yourselves an important question: If the amendment is passed, will it make one particle of difference in our common culture in Minnesota? I don't think so.
Responsible lesbian and gay persons will continue to seek companionship with those they love. This law will only work to drive many of them deeper into closets of anonymity.
Instead, why not welcome them into our communities of faith where they can work side by side with us as equal partners?
Let me put out a challenge to each of you brothers. Invite 15 gay and lesbian persons from your respective areas, one at a time, to spend two hours with you.
Thirty hours are a pittance compared to the time you are investing to promote adoption of the marriage amendment. Use the time, not for confession, but to listen to them describe what it is like to live in our culture in Minnesota.
Hear as they tell you what it means be a child of God and a faithful member of your church, persons who happen to be gay or lesbian through no choice of their own. I can promise you, based on my experience, that your heart will be deeply moved by what you hear.
When you have finished your time with these sisters and brothers in Christ, spend a quiet hour reflecting on a single question: "As I understand the heart of my Savior Jesus, how would he treat these sons and daughters of my church?"
Herbert W. Chilstrom is former presiding bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Joan Chittister's Article on Occupy Wall Street Movement in National Catholic Reporter

2011-12-08T19:00:00.000-05:00

http://ncronline.org/blogs/where-i-stand/vision-and-wisdom-meet-occupy-support-group

"...The elders are going to be among the Occupiers, they say in their public statement, to "applaud the miraculous extent to which the Occupy initiative has been non violent and democratic, especially in light of the weight of violence under which the great majority of people are forced to live, including joblessness, foreclosures, unemployment, poverty, and inadequate health care."And that's true, of course. But they are also a sign and voice for those of the 99 percent whose very years attest to the truth of the need for a new economy, a new spirit, a new soul among us as a people but who cannot go to the parks of the cities themselves.The elders bring the credibility of wisdom and age and experience to the zest and vision and hope of youth..."

Link to Hillary Clinton's Address to United Nations in Geneva on LGBTIQ Rights

2011-12-07T19:12:00.002-05:00

http://news.advocate.com/post/13844217337/watch-the-speech-youve-been-waiting-for

Bridget Mary's Reflecton:
Kudos to Hillary Clinton for speaking up for justice for LGBRIQ. It is truly a history-making, speech on human rights!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

The Challenge: A Supporter's Response on the Roman Catholic Women Priests' Movement

2011-12-07T18:32:00.001-05:00

“for whoever is not against us is for us.” – Jesus
(Mark 9:40)

Here an irate response to my annual holiday update from someone, who is an ordained Roman Catholic deacon. My response is below.

Ordained Deacon's Challenge to me;

Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011
Gee, I hope you believe it is important to be a person of integrity! So, why would you say a woman has been ordained a deacon in the "Roman Catholic Church", when you full well know that the Roman Catholic Church does not ordain women either as deacons or priests? Also, you know that only Bishops can ordain anyone. This claim you make seems to me to be like a college football team making up its own rules rather than playing by the same rules as the other teams. (Yes, I know all analogies have weaknesses!) I find this statement to be offensive and a slap in the face of all those faithful Roman Catholics who are trying to live our faith with integrity and have probably made sacrifices to be faithful. Your statement also seems disrespectful of all those Saints who were martyred because they were faithful to the teachings of the Church. Finally, you make no mention of the "reason" for the season, namely the coming of Jesus Christ who "ordained" the Apostles and is the One that the Roman Catholics follow and adore, for the gift of Himself to us for our Salvation!
Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.' (1 John 2)

My Response
Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011
Since this is not the first time I have mentioned the Roman Catholic Women Priest movement in our annual update, it interesting that you have responded with such intensity. It might help if you read the website www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org and this one based in the USA:www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org. They have carefully collected a volume of information to help faithful catholics understand this alternative position to Rome's dictates. Listen to Bishop Patricia Fresen's YouTube talks (and her personal experience standing against apartheid in South Africa), look at the evidence of women priests in the 1st two centuries documented in catacomb mosaics, read Bishop BridgetMary's blog or Diane Dougherty's blog and inform yourself of the way these brave women are following their deafening Call from God's Holy Spirit. Learn about Maryknoll's Fr. Roy Bourgeois, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who put his pension and his reputation on the line by participating in our friend Janice Sevre-Duszynska's ordination. Because he gave the homily (and reading something he originally published in the Maryknoll journal a decade before) and co-celebrated Mass, Roy has been threatened with excommunication by the Vatican and dismissal from the Maryknolls. The Roman police arrested him and other supporters of women priests when he walked toward the Vatican with a banner. They quickly dismissed the case. He is still in dialogue with both groups.

Try to find - or purchase a copy of the documentary "Pink Smoke over the Vatican" and educate yourself about what has lead RCWP and it's supporters to stand up and be counted. You might change your mind about what is happening here. It is historical and I am pleased to be even a small part of it. I am not alone. This year HUNDREDS of priests have signed petitions from around the world identifying their support of women priests in the Catholic church. So it not like we are simply "making up our own rules." It is enlivening be in solidarity with so many of those who the Vatican considers "dangerous"... and heretical.

If the Vatican loyalists could still burn or torture us to death, they would. But they can't, so they have to imagine that they are in charge of our souls and try to scare us into compliance while they defend those who harm children and have yet to excommunicate even those who have been found guilty. Are you aware that the current pope has equated seeking ordination or ordaining women as grievous a sin as pedophilia? That he says it's "normal" behavior... so what's the fuss? and you, in good conscience, follow the dictates of this dictator? Those currently in power lost my respect many years ago. They have yet to do anything but make it worse since then and, as I've said, I am not alone. Discerning people of conscience are leaving the Roman Catholic church in droves.

I firmly agree with those who are challenging the Vatican. They are walking through fire to bring the Catholic experience to the marginalized and those alienated by the current regime. I have not joined them officially because I am uncomfortable with (but still support) their very valid need to call themselves "Roman Catholic Women Priests." If & when I become an RC priest it will not be as part of an all woman group... but that is my issue and I am stilled thrilled to call many of them friends. Actually, as the founders of The Holy Cooperative Order of Blessed by Default, our members consider Bob and I closer to being Bishops within our order and we are a multi-faith group, so I have released some of my longing to join the Vatican boys club. For what it's worth, we tend to follow the lead of the Celtic church that evolved in Ireland & Scotland, if we follow the dictates of any church, at all... but that is another story.

The 1st women who became Roman Catholic priests were ordained by a male Roman Catholic Bishop who was ordained in apostolic order and in good standing with the Vatican. He believed in the cause and hid himself to keep the movement going. A few years ago, several woman priests were elevated as Bishops. The principal bishop who ordained our first female bishopspassed down apostolic succession, so that nothing can stop the movement, even if the Vatican discovers this original presiding bishop.

Catholic theologians who have studied this movement have gone on record saying that the ordinations may be illicit, but they are also completely VALID and the Vatican cannot change that, no matter how much they threaten and sputter. Those involved believe they are breaking an unjust law, which is the only way things EVER change in the Catholic Church. Most of the saints were people willing to stake their lives and their souls on the need for change... even within the Roman Catholic Church. Many were martyred and imprisoned by the very church you are defending... for example, was the Inquisition right????? Those were faithful catholics, as I remember...

As for my letter, my friends include a large number of people who are not Christian, so I do not emphasize the Jesus part. I am a deeply devoted follower of Jesus' Way, but I do not idolize him, nor do I try to convert anyone with my annual update. Bob and I prefer to "BE" Jesus, rather than beat people over the head with Him... and as far as Jesus being the "reason for the season," well, since he was no doubt born in March, during lambing season... and when the actual census took place, using December 25th as the date he was born is simply wrong. When Constantine made Christianity the "world religion," they simply co-opted this date to keep people happy, since it was a traditional time of revelry and such. I believe it was called Saturnalia in Rome, Yule in the British Isles and celebrated as the Solstice in many nature-based traditions. Easter is a more believable date for Jesus' birth... and I guess we do celebrate it in a fashion... as Jesus' bright and glorious burst through the veil... but many of our traditions were also co-opted from ancient equinox and spring traditions... like what in the world does Jesus resurrection possibly have to do with rabbits and eggs? Those were Oester traditions from the Goddess...

Well, the kids are up and I have to quit. Thanks for the challenge. I didn't think I wanted to spend much time on this, but given that it is my passion, I guess I couldn't help myself. Take it or leave it or keep the dialogue going, if you like. I follow the Divine Spirit of Love in all Forms, the Love who is God and my Guide from the beginning of my life. I may not follow the rules of man, but you can be sure that every choice I make is inspired by Love = God = Love. I suspect you do the same... and if we find each other, it's beautiful... if not, it can't be helped. Like a kind parent, it matters not to God whether we agree on our petty differences or not, S/He keeps on feeding us and leading us and bringing us Home, no matter how far we wandered...

Always yours in Blessings and in Light

Shalom,

lamp: )

www.blessedbydefault.org

"A Woman Priest Reflects on Her 10 Year Anniversary": Mary Ramerman

2011-12-07T18:07:00.000-05:00

http://ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/woman-priest-reflects-her-10-year-anniversary
..."Working in a parish setting, encountering those in need every day, has shown her that there is crucial work to be done beyond the reform movement. "It is important to be inner-centered and focus on what is essential to our spirituality," she said. "It is also important to be outward-centered, and concern ourselves with the homeless, war and the environment." As for her own participation in outward-centered work, Ramerman feels particularly connected to Spiritus' ministry to Haiti, which began in 1996 with the building of a health clinic in Borgne. Eleven years later, in 2007, they were able to build a hospital in the town..."

"A Welcoming Home for Homeless Catholics"/Inclusive Catholc Masses in Australia in Advent/Welcome to the Growing Catholic Network of Inclusive Catholic Communities

2011-12-06T14:09:00.001-05:00

http://www.catholica.com.au/gc3/es/006_es_061211.php

A welcoming place for "Homeless Catholics"...

"Greg Reynolds[1] chose the First Sunday of Advent as a fitting time to celebrate the Inaugural Mass for Inclusive Catholics. After all, Advent is a time of anticipation and expectation. It is a time to consider our inner yearnings and allow the reality of who we truly are to emerge. It allows us the space to ponder where Christ is in our lives today and what it is we deeply long for from our God. We can also ask ourselves what our role is in making God's presence tangible in our communities. The inclusiveness of this particular gathering certainly contributed to God's presence being felt by all."

"Around 120 people came from far and wide to attend this historical event at Caulfield in Melbourne. Immediately when people entered the hall there was a buzz of welcome and familiarity. For some it was as if they were coming home after having broken ties with their church community for many years. One person had described herself as a 'homeless Catholic' as she did not feel she belonged in her parish. This, I believe, is quite apt of how many Catholics are feeling today and this, then, explains why the churches are being deserted and people are seeking alternative forms of spirituality in different settings."

"Many people feel distressed, disillusioned and disturbed by some of the church's teachings — particularly those relating to women, people of same sex orientation, divorcees etc. Of course, many more are outraged by how the sex abuse scandal has been handled by church authorities. Greg Reynolds believes strongly in equality for all people and following the rule of 'what would Jesus do?' As we know, Jesus did not turn anyone away, nor did he put demands or set limitations on who could or could not be part of his community. Let us never forget that Jesus' blood was shed "for you and for all" and not just for the many[2] who fit into the mould of what most church authorities define as suitable to sit at the Eucharistic table. "

"Greg firmly believes in blurring the distinction between clergy and laity. He is convinced this separation is exaggerated by the use of clerical collars, elaborate vestments, compulsory celibacy and restricting certain tasks to the ordained. In future, for example, he will be encouraging men and women from his community to deliver the homily. There are many capable people who have not attended a seminary, but who quite probably have studied more theology than the ordained. However, an academic background is not what is required to reflect on the lessons of life that speak to those of us in the real world. What is required is a preparedness to share insights and prod the thinking of others by being willing to ask the hard questions — for example, why is it that there are only six sacraments for women and seven for men?"...

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Way to go, Greg and Melbourne, Australia!
There are millions of homeless Catholics, and the way the present Vatican is going, there will be more and more Catholics fleeing the doors of their local parishes seeking a home where they are welcomed and nutured.
The good news is that within the women priests communities in the United States, there are a growing number of inclusive communities in the United States that welcome all to Christ's table and that use inclusive language. My community, Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community, (MMOJ) meets on Sat. for liturgy in Sarasota, Florida in St. Andrew UCC . (starting on Christmas Eve at 4 PM)
Two married priests and two women priests serve within a leadership circle of around 15 people in a Christ-Centered, Spirit-Empowered, justice-seeking, compassionate. community. Our community ranges in number from around 20-100 in snow-bird season. It is a joy to hear about Greg and the growth our inclusive Catholicism among our sisters and brothers in Melbourne, Australia.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

Link to Colbert Report on Catholic Church Adopts a New Translaton/ Laughter is good for the soul!

2011-12-06T12:28:00.001-05:00

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/403520/december-02-2011/recap---week-of-11-28-11

Recap - Week of 11/28/11
... the Catholic Church adopts a new translation of the Mass...

Ohio, Kentucky Catholics Support Women's Ordination/ by Cheri Lawson/NPR

2011-12-05T23:16:00.000-05:00

Ree Hudson, Donna Rougeux, Roy Bourgeois, Janice Sevre-Duszynska
at press conference before they marched to the Vatican to deliver 15,000petitions

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wnku/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1879408
CINCINNATI, OH (WNKU) - Some Catholics in Kentucky and Ohio are part of what they see as a growing worldwide movement. As Cheri Lawson reports, although the official Vatican position forbidding women's ordination is clear, increasing numbers of clergy and other believers are supporting the idea. © Copyright 2011, WNKU

Kentucky Bishop Demands Adherence to New Missal, Liturgical Directives/Try Inclusive Worship Aides by Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

2011-12-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

A Kentucky bishop has directed his priests to follow the new translation of the Roman Missal “exactly as it is written,” and called for appropriate music and gestures in the liturgy, in a pastoral letter. Bishop Roger Foys of Covington warned priests against straying from the approved liturgical texts. He said that the music for the Mass should be “theologically sound and properly composed in accord with the teaching of the Church on sacred music.” And he cautioned that the choir should not be in the sanctuary during Mass. Among other liturgical directives in his pastoral letter, the bishop said that it is improper for lay people to extend their hands during the Lord’s Prayer: No gesture is prescribed for the lay faithful in the Roman Missal; nor the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, therefore the extending or holding of hands by the faithful should not be performed.

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Another example of a bossy bishop demanding strict adherence to man-made clerical rules.
We are getting more requests for our new Inclusive Worship Aides. One nun recently told me she could not in conscience pray the new Roman Missal because it has written out women from the liturgy. So she ordered our Inclusive Liturgies.
If you want to check them out, there is a link on the side of the blog. Or go to http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

Inclusive Worship Aids

A CD providing worship aids written by Bridget Mary Meehan, Judy Lee and Dorothy Shugrue. It is a resource created by priests in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, containing a variety of Eucharistic liturgies.
It is our hope that this resource will be a blessing for all inclusive communities who worship in spirit and truth. The prayers and rituals can easily be adapted to the specific needs of any group.
Here is a list of included liturgies: ~ Liturgy for Advent/Christmas ~ Liturgy for Lent ~ Liturgy for Water, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Third Sunday of Lent, Easter Season, Baptismal Celebration Liturgy, Earth or Renewal Themes ~ Liturgy for Fire, Easter Season, Pentecost, Earth Day, Social Justice ~ Liturgy for Ordinary Time ~ Liturgy to Celebrate Creation, New Life, Creativity, New Beginnings, Spring or Summer ~ Liturgy for Marian Feast ~ Liturgy to Celebrate Justice, Partnership and Equality for Women in Church and Society ~ Liturgy of Good News to the Poor, For Anytime ~ Liturgy for All Saints’ and/or All Souls’ Day, Funerals/ Memorials.
Worship Aids are provided on a CD in Word Doc and PDF formats.
If you are able, a suggested donation of $25.00 will defray our cost and help to support the growth of ARCWP and our ministry.
Please click the DONATION button above. If you prefer, you may write a check to: ARCWP, 18520 Eastshore Drive, Ft. Myers, Florida 33967

First Corinthians 13 ~ Christmas Version/ Author Unknown

2011-12-05T18:29:00.000-05:00

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,

strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,

but do not show love to my family,

I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,

baking dozens of Christmas cookies,

preparing gourmet meals

and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,

but do not show love to my family

I'm just another cook.

If I can work at a soup kitchen,

carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity,

but do not show love to my family,

it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels

and crocheted snowflakes,

attend a myriad of holiday parties

and sing in the choir's cantata,

but do not focus on Christ,

I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love does not envy another's home

that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way,

but is thankful that they are there to be in the way.

Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return,

but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things,

believes in all things,

hopes all things and

endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break,

pearl necklaces will be lost,

golf clubs will rust.

but giving the gift of love will endure forever..
(Author Unknown)

"St. Nicholas- Patron Saint of Occupy Wall Street Movement" NCR Online

2011-12-04T16:09:00.000-05:00

St. Nicholas, patron saint of the Occupy movement?

Dec. 02, 2011
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/st-nicholas-patron-saint-occupy-movement
Joshua J. McElwee
"Despite the continuing Occupy protests taking place across the country, some have observed that those of us of the Roman bent aren't quite as involved as those of other faiths.That observation has Tom Beaudoin, a theologian at Fordham University who blogs over at America magazine, asking "Where are all the Catholics?"Noting that a meeting of Occupy Faith NYC, a coalition supporting the Occupy Wall Street protests, saw few Catholic churches or organizations show up yesterday, Beaudoin encourages people to support a new group: Occupy Catholics.
Take a look at the group's website. They're organizing a novena to St. Nicholas in support of the occupy movement until the saint's feast day, Dec. 6."
Bridget Mary's Reflection;
Why are Catholics not out there? One of the best kept secrets of the Catholic Church is its social justice teaching! I pray that the Occupy Movement ignites a fire for justice for all, including those who are needy and without food, shelter, and jobs in our country and around the world. No more tax breaks for the super rich who should be taxed according to their means and giving from their abundance. What do you think Jesus would say and do today?
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

Hans Küng Open Letter to Catholic Bishops

2011-12-02T14:26:00.002-05:00

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStoryPrinter=15996
Note to readers. This letter was first posted on ICN on 19 April 2010. For some reason reappeared on our front page on 4 May 2010 and now carries that date.
Venerable Bishops,
Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, and I were the youngest theologians at the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965. Now we are the oldest and the only ones still fully active. I have always understood my theological work as a service to the Roman Catholic Church. For this reason, on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI, I am making this appeal to you in an open letter. In doing so, I am motivated by my profound concern for our church, which now finds itself in the worst credibility crisis since the Reformation. Please excuse the form of an open letter; unfortunately, I have no other way of reaching you.

I deeply appreciated that the pope invited me, his outspoken critic, to meet for a friendly, four-hour-long conversation shortly after he took office. This awakened in me the hope that my former colleague at Tubingen University might find his way to promote an ongoing renewal of the church and an ecumenical rapprochement in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council.

Unfortunately, my hopes and those of so many engaged Catholic men and women have not been fulfilled. And in my subsequent correspondence with the pope, I have pointed this out to him many times. Without a doubt, he conscientiously performs his everyday duties as pope, and he has given us three helpful encyclicals on faith, hope and charity. But when it comes to facing the major challenges of our times, his pontificate has increasingly passed up more opportunities than it has taken:

Missed is the opportunity for rapprochement with the Protestant churches: Instead, they have been denied the status of churches in the proper sense of the term and, for that reason, their ministries are not recognized and intercommunion is not possible.

Missed is the opportunity for the long-term reconciliation with the Jews: Instead the pope has reintroduced into the liturgy a preconciliar prayer for the enlightenment of the Jews, he has taken notoriously anti-Semitic and schismatic bishops back into communion with the church, and he is actively promoting the beatification of Pope Pius XII, who has been accused of not offering sufficient protections to Jews in Nazi Germany.

The fact is, Benedict sees in Judaism only the historic root of Christianity; he does not take it seriously as an ongoing religious community offering its own path to salvation. The recent comparison of the current criticism faced by the pope with anti-Semitic hate campaigns – made by Rev Raniero Cantalamessa during an official Good Friday service at the Vatican – has stirred up a storm of indignation among Jews around the world.

Missed is the opportunity for a dialogue with Muslims in an atmosphere of mutual trust: Instead, in his ill-advised but symptomatic 2006 Regensburg lecture, Benedict caricatured Islam as a religion of violence and inhumanity and thus evoked enduring Muslim mistrust.

Missed is the opportunity for reconciliation with the colonised indigenous peoples of Latin America: Instead, the pope asserted in all seriousness that they had been “longing” for the religion of their European conquerors.

Missed is the opportunity to help the people of Africa by allowing the use of birth control to fight overpopulation and condoms to fight the spread of HIV.

Missed is the opportunity to make peace with modern science by clearly affirming the theory of evolution and accepting stem-cell research.

Missed is the opportunity to make the spirit of the Second Vatican Council the compass for the whole Catholic Church, including the Vatican itself, and thus to promote the needed reforms in the church.

This last point, respected bishops, is the most serious of all. Time and again, this pope has added qualifications to the conciliar texts and interpreted them against the spirit of the council fathers. Time and again, he has taken an express stand against the Ecumenical Council, which according to canon law represents the highest authority in the Catholic Church:

He has taken the bishops of the traditionalist Pius X Society back into the church without any preconditions – bishops who were illegally consecrated outside the Catholic Church and who reject central points of the Second Vatican Council (including liturgical reform, freedom of religion and the rapprochement with Judaism).

He promotes the medieval Tridentine Mass by all possible means and occasionally celebrates the Eucharist in Latin with his back to the congregation.

He refuses to put into effect the rapprochement with the Anglican Church, which was laid out in official ecumenical documents by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, and has attempted instead to lure married Anglican clergy into the Roman Catholic Church by freeing them from the very rule of celibacy that has forced tens of thousands of Roman Catholic priests out of office.

He has actively reinforced the anti-conciliar forces in the church by appointing reactionary officials to key offices in the Curia (including the secretariat of state, and positions in the liturgical commission) while appointing reactionary bishops around the world.

Pope Benedict XVI seems to be increasingly cut off from the vast majority of church members who pay less and less heed to Rome and, at best, identify themselves only with their local parish and bishop.

I know that many of you are pained by this situation. In his anti-conciliar policy, the pope receives the full support of the Roman Curia. The Curia does its best to stifle criticism in the episcopate and in the church as a whole and to discredit critics with all the means at its disposal. With a return to pomp and spectacle catching the attention of the media, the reactionary forces in Rome have attempted to present us with a strong church fronted by an absolutistic “Vicar of Christ” who combines the church’s legislative, executive and judicial powers in his hands alone. But Benedict’s policy of restoration has failed. All of his spectacular appearances, demonstrative journeys and public statements have failed to influence the opinions of most Catholics on controversial issues. This is especially true regarding matters of sexual morality. Even the papal youth meetings, attended above all by conservative-charismatic groups, have failed to hold back the steady drain of those leaving the church or to attract more vocations to the priesthood.

You in particular, as bishops, have reason for deep sorrow: Tens of thousands of priests have resigned their office since the Second Vatican Council, for the most part because of the celibacy rule. Vocations to the priesthood, but also to religious orders, sisterhoods and lay brotherhoods are down – not just quantitatively but qualitatively. Resignation and frustration are spreading rapidly among both the clergy and the active laity. Many feel that they have been left in the lurch with their personal needs, and many are in deep distress over the state of the church. In many of your dioceses, it is the same story: increasingly empty churches, empty seminaries and empty rectories. In many countries, due to the lack of priests, more and more parishes are being merged, often against the will of their members, into ever larger “pastoral units,” in which the few surviving pastors are completely overtaxed. This is church reform in pretense rather than fact!

And now, on top of these many crises comes a scandal crying out to heaven – the revelation of the clerical abuse of thousands of children and adolescents, first in the United States, then in Ireland and now in Germany and other countries. And to make matters worse, the handling of these cases has given rise to an unprecedented leadership crisis and a collapse of trust in church leadership.

There is no denying the fact that the worldwide system of covering up cases of sexual crimes committed by clerics was engineered by the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Ratzinger (1981-2005). During the reign of Pope John Paul II, that congregation had already taken charge of all such cases under oath of strictest silence. Ratzinger himself, on May 18th, 2001, sent a solemn document to all the bishops dealing with severe crimes ( “epistula de delictis gravioribus” ), in which cases of abuse were sealed under the “secretum pontificium” , the violation of which could entail grave ecclesiastical penalties. With good reason, therefore, many people have expected a personal mea culpa on the part of the former prefect and current pope. Instead, the pope passed up the opportunity afforded by Holy Week: On Easter Sunday, he had his innocence proclaimed “urbi et orbi” by the dean of the College of Cardinals.

The consequences of all these scandals for the reputation of the Catholic Church are disastrous. Important church leaders have already admitted this. Numerous innocent and committed pastors and educators are suffering under the stigma of suspicion now blanketing the church. You, reverend bishops, must face up to the question: What will happen to our church and to your diocese in the future? It is not my intention to sketch out a new program of church reform. That I have done often enough both before and after the council. Instead, I want only to lay before you six proposals that I am convinced are supported by millions of Catholics who have no voice in the current situation.

1. Do not keep silent: By keeping silent in the face of so many serious grievances, you taint yourselves with guilt. When you feel that certain laws, directives and measures are counterproductive, you should say this in public. Send Rome not professions of your devotion, but rather calls for reform!

2. Set about reform: Too many in the church and in the episcopate complain about Rome, but do nothing themselves. When people no longer attend church in a diocese, when the ministry bears little fruit, when the public is kept in ignorance about the needs of the world, when ecumenical co-operation is reduced to a minimum, then the blame cannot simply be shoved off on Rome. Whether bishop, priest, layman or laywoman – everyone can do something for the renewal of the church within his own sphere of influence, be it large or small. Many of the great achievements that have occurred in the individual parishes and in the church at large owe their origin to the initiative of an individual or a small group. As bishops, you should support such initiatives and, especially given the present situation, you should respond to the just complaints of the faithful.

3. Act in a collegial way: After heated debate and against the persistent opposition of the Curia, the Second Vatican Council decreed the collegiality of the pope and the bishops. It did so in the sense of the Acts of the Apostles, in which Peter did not act alone without the college of the apostles. In the post-conciliar era, however, the pope and the Curia have ignored this decree. Just two years after the council, Pope Paul VI issued his encyclical defending the controversial celibacy law without the slightest consultation of the bishops. Since then, papal politics and the papal magisterium have continued to act in the old, uncollegial fashion. Even in liturgical matters, the pope rules as an autocrat over and against the bishops. He is happy to surround himself with them as long as they are nothing more than stage extras with neither voices nor voting rights. This is why, venerable bishops, you should not act for yourselves alone, but rather in the community of the other bishops, of the priests and of the men and women who make up the church.

4. Unconditional obedience is owed to God alone: Although at your episcopal consecration you had to take an oath of unconditional obedience to the pope, you know that unconditional obedience can never be paid to any human authority; it is due to God alone. For this reason, you should not feel impeded by your oath to speak the truth about the current crisis facing the church, your diocese and your country. Your model should be the apostle Paul, who dared to oppose Peter “to his face since he was manifestly in the wrong”! ( Galatians 2:11 ). Pressuring the Roman authorities in the spirit of Christian fraternity can be permissible and even necessary when they fail to live up to the spirit of the Gospel and its mission. The use of the vernacular in the liturgy, the changes in the regulations governing mixed marriages, the affirmation of tolerance, democracy and human rights, the opening up of an ecumenical approach, and the many other reforms of Vatican II were only achieved because of tenacious pressure from below.

5. Work for regional solutions: The Vatican has frequently turned a deaf ear to the well-founded demands of the episcopate, the priests and the laity. This is all the more reason for seeking wise regional solutions. As you are well aware, the rule of celibacy, which was inherited from the Middle Ages, represents a particularly delicate problem. In the context of today’s clerical abuse scandal, the practice has been increasingly called into question. Against the expressed will of Rome, a change would appear hardly possible; yet this is no reason for passive resignation. When a priest, after mature consideration, wishes to marry, there is no reason why he must automatically resign his office when his bishop and his parish choose to stand behind him. Individual episcopal conferences could take the lead with regional solutions. It would be better, however, to seek a solution for the whole church, therefore:

6. Call for a council: Just as the achievement of liturgical reform, religious freedom, ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue required an ecumenical council, so now a council is needed to solve the dramatically escalating problems calling for reform. In the century before the Reformation, the Council of Constance decreed that councils should be held every five years. Yet the Roman Curia successfully managed to circumvent this ruling. There is no question that the Curia, fearing a limitation of its power, would do everything in its power to prevent a council coming together in the present situation. Thus it is up to you to push through the calling of a council or at least a representative assembly of bishops.

With the church in deep crisis, this is my appeal to you, venerable bishops: Put to use the episcopal authority that was reaffirmed by the Second Vatican Council. In this urgent situation, the eyes of the world turn to you. Innumerable people have lost their trust in the Catholic Church. Only by openly and honestly reckoning with these problems and resolutely carrying out needed reforms can their trust be regained. With all due respect, I beg you to do your part – together with your fellow bishops as far as possible, but also alone if necessary – in apostolic “fearlessness” ( Acts 4:29, 31 ). Give your faithful signs of hope and encouragement and give our church a perspective for the future.

With warm greetings in the community of the Christian faith,
Yours, Hans Küng

I know that many of you are pained by this situation. In his anti-conciliar policy, the pope receives the full support of the Roman Curia. The Curia does its best to stifle criticism in the episcopate and in the church as a whole and to discredit critics with all the means at its disposal. With a return to pomp and spectacle catching the attention of the media, the reactionary forces in Rome have attempted to present us with a strong church fronted by an absolutistic “Vicar of Christ” who combines the church’s legislative, executive and judicial powers in his hands alone. But Benedict’s policy of restoration has failed. All of his spectacular appearances, demonstrative journeys and public statements have failed to influence the opinions of most Catholics on controversial issues.

This is especially true regarding matters of sexual morality. Even the papal youth meetings, attended above all by conservative charismatic groups, have failed to hold back the steady drain of those leaving the church or to attract more vocations to the priesthood.

You in particular, as bishops, have reason for deep sorrow: Tens of thousands of priests have resigned their office since the Second Vatican Council, for the most part because of the celibacy rule. Vocations to the priesthood, but also to religious orders, sisterhoods and lay brotherhoods are down – not just quantitatively but qualitatively. Resignation and frustration are spreading rapidly among both the clergy and the active laity. Many feel that they have been left in the lurch with their personal needs, and many are in deep distress over the state of the church. In many of your dioceses, it is the same story: increasingly empty churches, empty seminaries and empty rectories. In many countries, due to the lack of priests, more and more parishes are being merged, often against the will of their members, into ever larger “pastoral units,” in which the few surviving pastors are completely overtaxed. This is church reform in pretense rather than fact!

And now, on top of these many crises comes a scandal crying out to heaven – the revelation of the clerical abuse of thousands of children and adolescents, first in the United States, then in Ireland and now in Germany and other countries. And to make matters worse, the handling of these cases has given rise to an unprecedented leadership crisis and a collapse of trust in church leadership. There is no denying the fact that the worldwide system of covering up cases of sexual crimes committed by clerics was engineered by the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Ratzinger (1981-2005).

During the reign of Pope John Paul II, that congregation had already taken charge of all such cases under oath of strictest silence. Ratzinger himself, on May 18th, 2001, sent a solemn document to all the bishops dealing with severe crimes ( “epistula de delictis gravioribus” ), in which cases of abuse were sealed under the “secretum pontificium” , the violation of which could entail grave ecclesiastical penalties. With good reason, therefore, many people have expected a personal mea culpa on the part of the former prefect and current pope.

Instead,the pope passed up the opportunity afforded by Holy Week: On Easter Sunday, he had his innocence proclaimed “urbi et orbi” by the dean of the College of Cardinals.

The consequences of all these scandals for the reputation of the Catholic Church are disastrous. Important church leaders have already admitted this. Numerous innocent and committed pastors and educators are suffering under the stigma of suspicion now blanketing the church. You, reverend bishops, must face up to the question: What will happen to our church and to your diocese in the future?

It is not my intention to sketch out a new program of church reform. That I have done often enough both before and after the council. Instead, I want only to lay before you six proposals that I am convinced are supported by millions of Catholics who have no voice in the current situation.

1. Do not keep silent: By keeping silent in the face of so many serious grievances, you taint yourselves with guilt. When you feel that certain laws, directives and measures are counterproductive, you should say this in public. Send Rome not professions of your devotion, but rather calls for reform!

2. Set about reform: Too many in the church and in the episcopate complain about Rome, but do nothing themselves.

When people no longer attend church in a diocese, when the ministry bears little fruit, when the public is kept in ignorance about the needs of the world, when ecumenical co-operation is reduced to a minimum, then the blame cannot simply be shoved off on Rome. Whether bishop, priest, layman or laywoman – everyone can do something for the renewal of the church within his own sphere of influence, be it large or small. Many of the great achievements that have occurred in the individual parishes and in the church at large owe their origin to the initiative of an individual or a small group. As bishops, you should support such initiatives and, especially given the present situation, you should respond to the just complaints of the faithful.

3. Act in a collegial way: After heated debate and against the persistent opposition of the Curia, the Second Vatican Council decreed the collegiality of the pope and the bishops. It did so in the sense of the Acts of the Apostles, in which Peter did not act alone without the college of the apostles. In the post-conciliar era, however, the pope and the Curia have ignored this decree. Just two years after the council, Pope Paul VI issued his encyclical defending the controversial celibacy law without the slightest consultation of the bishops. Since then, papal politics and the papal magisterium have continued to act in the old, uncollegial fashion. Even in liturgical matters, the pope rules as an autocrat over and against the bishops.

He is happy to surround himself with them as long as they are nothing more than stage extras with neither voices nor voting rights.

This is why, venerable bishops, you should not act for yourselves alone, but rather in the community of the other bishops, of the priests and of the men and women who make up the church.

4. Unconditional obedience is owed to God alone: Although at your episcopal consecration you had to take an oath of unconditional obedience to the pope, you know that unconditional obedience can never be paid to any human authority; it is due to God alone. For this reason, you should not feel impeded by your oath to speak the truth about the current crisis facing the church, your diocese and your country. Your model should be the apostle Paul, who dared to oppose Peter “to his face since he was manifestly in the wrong”! ( Galatians 2:11 ).

Pressuring the Roman authorities in the spirit of Christian fraternity can be permissible and even necessary when they fail to live up to the spirit of the Gospel and its mission. The use of the vernacular in the liturgy, the changes in the regulations governing mixed marriages, the affirmation of tolerance, democracy and human rights, the opening up of an ecumenical approach, and the many other reforms of Vatican II were only achieved because of tenacious pressure from below.

5. Work for regional solutions: The Vatican has frequently turned a deaf ear to the well-founded demands of the episcopate, the priests and the laity. This is all the more reason for seeking wise regional solutions.

As you are well aware, the rule of celibacy, which was inherited from the Middle Ages, represents a particularly delicate problem. In the context of today’s clerical abuse scandal, the practice has been increasingly called into question. Against the expressed will of Rome, a change would appear hardly possible; yet this is no reason for passive resignation. When a priest, after mature consideration, wishes to marry, there is no reason why he must automatically resign his office when his bishop and his parish choose to stand behind him. Individual episcopal conferences could take the lead with regional solutions. It would be better, however, to seek a solution for the whole church, therefore:

6. Call for a council: Just as the achievement of liturgical reform, religious freedom, ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue required an ecumenical council, so now a council is needed to solve the dramatically escalating problems calling for reform. In the century before the Reformation, the Council of Constance decreed that councils should be held every five years. Yet the Roman Curia successfully managed to circumvent this ruling. There is no question that the Curia, fearing a limitation of its power, would do everything in its power to prevent a council coming together in the present situation. Thus it is up to you to push through the calling of a council or at least a representative assembly of bishops.

With the church in deep crisis, this is my appeal to you, venerable bishops: Put to use the episcopal authority that was reaffirmed by the Second Vatican Council. In this urgent situation, the eyes of the world turn to you. Innumerable people have lost their trust in the Catholic Church.

Only by openly and honestly reckoning with these problems and resolutely carrying out needed reforms can their trust be regained. With all due respect, I beg you to do your part – together with your fellow bishops as far as possible, but also alone if necessary – in apostolic “fearlessness” ( Acts 4:29, 31 ).

Give your faithful signs of hope and encouragement and give our church a perspective for the future.

With warm greetings in the community of the Christian faith,

Yours, Hans Küng

"Its All About Justice" by Pat Mahan

2011-12-01T10:25:00.000-05:00

http://paxchristisouth.org/2011/11/29/its-all-about-justice/
"The Messiah, the Christ, is about justice. This is not the retributive justice we are accustomed to in our courts. This is restorative justice where God has a special care for the poor, oppressed, and downtrodden and will bring judgment upon the wicked": "But God shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.(Is 10)... "I feel comfortable in saying that, if he were alive today in the flesh, Jesus would be camped out—outraged over enormous gaps in income which cause so much human misery. Of course, the Christ is present in the camps promising much needed relief to the downtrodden whether they have taken a bath or looked for a job that is not there...God is truly meddling in our lives when God reminds us that it is about justice—right order. Jusitce is a kin-dom value. It is about restoring right order. There can be no semblance of right order when gross inequities cause interminable human suffering with billions living on $1 -$2 a day. There can be no justice when a hungry woman is sentenced for stealing a loaf of bread and Wall Street extortionists walk free. There can be no justice when rich and powerful nations wage war on impoverished people in order to get their natural resources.Isaiah tells us that God will judge the wicked—those who are driven by greed and lack compassion for the suffering of their fellow creatures—two-legged and four-legged..."

Fr. Jerry Zawada Says Excommunication Has Yet to Be Discussed/NCR Online

2011-11-30T21:41:00.103-05:00

Association of Roman Catholic Woman Priest, Janice Sevre-Duszynska and Franciscan Jerry Zawada co-preside at SOA Vigil liturgy at Ft. Benning, GA.

http://ncronline.org/news/women/franciscan-ready-accept-consequences-joining-woman-led-liturgy
Nov. 30, 2011
By Brian Roewe
"Despite rumors that Franciscan Fr. Jerry Zawada would be excommunicated and expelled from his order for his participation in a liturgy led by a female priest, Zawada and the leadership of his order say that has yet to be discussed. Zawada participated in the Nov. 19 liturgy while attending the School of Americas Watch in Fort Benning, Ga.Fr. John Puodziunas, provincial minister of the Franciscan Friars of the Assumption BVM Province, told NCR that he has not received any contact from the Vatican on the matter. "There have been no official contacts from anyone," Puodziunas said."
Bridget Mary's Reflection
Let's hope that the Franciscan Order leads the way to a more egalitarian, partnership-centered church in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. Fr. Jerry Zawada deserves their continued support and solidarity no matter what the Vatican does.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

The Truth Behind the Godawful New (Old) Roman Catholic Missal by Michele Somerville

2011-11-30T15:48:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michele-somerville/new-roman-catholic-missal-truth_b_1112314.html
..."The Vatican message as it pertains to women and girls is clear. Perhaps it is time that those Catholics who are, by whatever defect (whether it be gender or excommunication-worthy offense) excluded from Christ's salvation, respond in a language the hierarchs do understand. Ave legal tender.What if all the women in the church were to redirect their Advent weekly collection dollars to purchasing gifts for the needy, provisions for food pantries, charitable organizations or Catholic groups which challenge the tyranny of the Ratzinger pontificate? It would be interesting to see what would happen if every Catholic whom the New Old Missal now freshly excludes from salvation, were to boycott the collection basket for the duration of the season of Advent... "
Bridget Mary's Reflection;
I agree with Michele Somerville that a boycott of $ in the collection plate by Catholic women in the pews is an effective way to send a message to the Vatican! And what if Catholic women send it to the needy and to the women priests' movement for outreach and education of future women priests. I know we in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests would appreciate the support.
Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

"The Faithful Receive New Instructions about Prayer: Back to the Future and the Abdication of Moral Leadership"

2011-11-29T22:06:00.002-05:00

http://bilgrimage.blogspot.com/2011/11/faithful-receive-new-instructions-about.html

..."Who clearly want us to be so mesmerized by the magic tricks of their liturgical tinkering that words like "consubstantial" become more significant to us than words like "criminal" or "indictment" or "authentic moral leadership."..."What I think I don't get and can't ever get, however, is the willingness of educated, morally sensitive human beings, of the intellectual leaders of my church in the U.S., who should know better--the willingness of the church's intellectual elite and cultural spokespersons to keep going along with the charlatanism, not to challenge it..."
Bridget Mary's Reflection
Indeed, this "side show" of "Back to the Future" is taking the focus off the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of the institutional church. The church belongs to the people of God. Now is the time for all of us to challenge the hierarchy in order to bring about genuine renewal in the church we love.

New Blog by Popular Christian Author and Minister: Jann Aldredge-Clanton

2011-11-29T20:24:00.010-05:00

http://jannaldredgeclanton.com/blog

I highly recommend Jann Aldredge-Clanton's new blog for all who are supportive of gender equality in a multi-cultural world. She has a new, povocative book out entitled Changing Church: Stories of Liberating Ministers. (I am one of twelve ministers in the book, see link description and link for discounted prices)
https://wipfandstock.com/store/Changing_Church_Stories_of_Liberating_Ministers;

http://www.amazon.com/Changing-Church-Stories-Liberating-Ministers/dp/1610974514/ref=sr_1_1_title_2_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322615974&sr=1-1

Her writingsalso include Hymns for Liberation, Peace and Justice and Seeking Wisdom: Inclusive Blessings and Prayers for Public Occasions reflect a profound knowledge of scripture that affirms female and male images of God, and a profound sense of inclusivity!

Jann's new blog invites wide participation and will include stories of other people, both lay and clergy, who are changing the church through their prophetic stands on gender, race, ecology, interfaith cooperation, sexual orientation, economic opportunity, and other social justice issues. It will especially feature those people who see the connection between inclusion of multicultural female and male images of the Divine and social justice. Jann writes: "So I’m looking for stories of people who are changing the church through this expansive theology that forms the foundation for an ethic of equality and justice in human relationships.Please send me stories of people, including yourself, who are changing the church in these ways, and/or send me contact information so that I can interview these people and write their stories on this blog."

New Book
Changing Church, Stories of liberating Ministers by Jann Aldredge-Clanton

Through the fascinating stories of pioneering ministers, this book reveals a unique picture of progressive changes occurring in the Christian tradition. Meeting challenges and overcoming obstacles, these twelve diverse ministers are changing the church as they take prophetic stands on gender, race, interfaith cooperation, ecology, sexual orientation, economic opportunity, and other social justice issues. Believing in the power of sacred symbolism to shape social reality and to provide a foundation for justice and freedom for all people, these ministers lead worship with inclusive language and imagery for humanity and divinity. They include multicultural female and male images of the Divine. Meeting challenges and overcoming obstacles, these twelve diverse ministers are changing the church as they take prophetic stands on gender, race, interfaith cooperation, ecology, sexual orientation, economic opportunity and social justice isues.

Transforming My Anger by John Chuchman

2011-11-27T20:26:00.002-05:00

I find that the best way

to transform my outrage

at what the hierarchs are doing

to our beloved Church

into fierce, compassionate

Wisdom Energy

is to work with the Force

that is Herself

both Loving and Fierce,

Tender and Ferocious,

The Holy Spirit.

I believe that the sacred roots

of my outrage

are part of

Her Protective and Passionate Love

for all beings and creation.

I believe that Her fierce Love

is pure and tied to

Ultimate Wisdom,

but that it is muddied by

my own deficiencies,

including imperfect knowledge and impatience.

I believe that the Golden Flame of the Holy Spirit

has ignited my outrage

inspired by

Her Wild Love of All beings

and for Justice.

I try to take Her pure golden passion-energy

into my center,

suffusing my mind, heart, and body

with Her brilliant power

by praying

Holy Spirit, keep me always in the balance

between fierceness and tenderness and

judgment and compassion,

filling me always through Your Grace

with Your purified passionate

Energy of Wisdom

and Love.

"The Plight of Women in sub-Saharan Africa" by Bill Schuch/ Catholic Church Needs Women's Voices to Inform Official Teaching, Primacy of Conscience/Bridget Mary

2011-11-27T18:56:00.003-05:00

Following is an excerpt from the National Catholic Reporter’s coverage of Benedict XVI’s visit to Benin, Africa from November 18 thru 20 the purpose of which was to present the conclusions from a 2009 Synod of Bishops for Africa, which Benedict did in the form of a 138-page document titled Africae Munus, or "Africa's Commitment. The Synod was the latest of several Vatican initiatives during the past decade which Catholics concerned with the plight of monogamous African women at the mercy of their HIV-positive spouses/partners had been given to understand and hope that would result in a more Christ-like pastoral approach on the part of the Vatican to that tragic problem. Unfortunately, as with such past fire drills, the Vatican has not backed off its hard line against the use of condoms to protect these innocent women from being infected with HIV --- this in spite of the fact that a number of national conferences of Roman Catholic bishops as well as individual cardinals, including the cardinal theologian of the pontifical household and bishops have, in effect, publicly disagreed with the Vatican’s unconscionable lack of real compassion for these women. Their plight is ultimately the bitter harvest of the promulgation of the so-called birth control encyclical Humane Vitae over the objections of ninety percent of the cardinals, bishops, theologians, medical experts and laypersons appointed to papal commission who did not consider artificial birth control to be intrinsically evil – an encyclical that has never been “received” (church lingo for accepted) by the People of God. " Bill Schuch

Hard questions about Pope Benedict in Africa
by John L Allen Jr on Nov. 23, 2011 NCR Online
1. Did Benedict avoid the condoms trap?
"The pope's last outing to Africa in 2009 was utterly dominated by debate over his suggestion, made to reporters aboard the papal plane, that condoms make the problem of HIV/AIDS worse. That triggered round one of "condom-gate." Round two came last year, when Benedict seemed to suggest in a book-length interview that condoms, while far from ideal, may nevertheless be a "first step" toward morality if they express a desire to save someone's life. ...."There was no repeat of "condom-gate," for the simple reason that Benedict avoided the subject altogether. He briefly touched on AIDS in Africae Munus, stressing abstinence outside marriage and fidelity inside it as the best approach to prevention, and also called for aggressive research and wider availability of anti-AIDS medicines at lower costs.
===================================================================================
In 2009, after personal research revealed that the Vatican sycophants in the U.S. Catholic Conference Administrative Board, ignoring the special plight of sero-discordant couples, had in 1989, issued a "corrective" statement ironically titled “Called to Compassion and Responsibility: A Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis” in which the bishops retracted their 1987 approval of providing factual information about condoms, and stated that, "The use of prophylactics to prevent the spread of HIV is technically unreliable . . . [and] advocating this approach means in effect promoting behavior which is morally unacceptable”, I put together the attached flyer to make my fellow Catholics in the Diocese of Venice, Florida aware of the plight of women in sub-Saharan Africa and the lack of compassion of our church leaders for these women.
(In personally distributing that flyer at a number of parishes in Naples, several pastors, including the pastor of my own parish, actually threatened to have me arrested for “trespassing on “his” parish property.)
Given the ongoing lack of compassion on part of the present Pontiff and his sycophants in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who, as a body, have lacked the moral courage to join those other national conferences of bishops and individual prelates who have publicly challenged the Vatican’s morally-indefensible failure to abide by long-established principles of Catholic moral theology, I invite my fellow Catholics in dioceses throughout the 50 United States to distribute the attached flyer urging their respective diocesan Ordinaries to publicly commit to urging their fellow prelates in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to, in turn, prevail on the Vatican to behave more Christ-like towards our African sisters.
It is time for some leadership from the bottom up. The leadership from the top down has been less than inspiring on this issue as well as others.
Bill Schuch
East Aurora NY
Naples, FL
Bridget Mary's Reflection
Kudos to Bill Schuch for reporting on this important issue. Once again, the Vatican is failing in reflecting Christ's compassion to women and this is more one reason why we need women priests to reflect women's experiences and to listen to women's voices from around the world. Our sisters in sub-Saharan Africa need to be heard loud and clear, they are free moral agents who can make ethical decisions for themselves. Condoms are life-savers in their situation, nothing less! Pope Benedict, started a firestorm when he indicated that it was morally permissable for male prostitutes to use condoms as the lesser of two evils. He did not say, then or now, that women who are faithful wives in sub-Saharan Africa could use condoms in situations where HIV-Aids was a major threat to their lives. How does Pope Benedict's attitude reflect Christ's compassion?
Something is radically wrong with official church teaching on this issue. The Roman Catholic Church should be both pro-women and pro-life, and in all situations affirm that Catholics should follow well-formed and well-informed consciences in all moral choices. Primacy of conscience is the teaching of the church and that is the bottom line. When was the last time that you heard a homily on this topic in your local parish?
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriest.org/

"Giving Eucharist to the Needy" A Meditation by Sr. Anne Brooks, D.O.

2011-11-27T15:31:00.000-05:00

Our focus tonite is to explore the relationship of St Elizabeth and the poor, and what it means to bring bread to the poor.

And I would just warn you , that the medical students I have in our office warn others -

She is a woman of a thousand questions!

Let's start by relaxing, getting into our minds and

IMAGE "the poor" what do they look like?

city / live / get food Delta / live / get food

They are shiftless, mentally ill, alcoholics - we're afraid of them-we won't waste our $ money on them.

BUT WE KNOW --

THE POOR ARE NOT LIKE US!

* THEY ARE "OUT THERE"

* WE TEND TO AVOID THEM

* WE DON'T WANT OUR KIDS

TO PLAY WITH THEIR KIDS

I CHALLENGE YOU NOW TO CHANGE

THE WORD POOR TO NEEDY

________________________________

AHA...

DO WE KNOW ANYONE WHO IS NEEDY??

SUDDENLY, THE NEEDY

ARE NO LONGER "OUT THERE"

We might not think of them as poor but for sure they are because that's what someone is, who is poor --they are needy.

HOW ABOUT the hyperactive kid in my classroom?

the waitress in my favorite restaurant ?

the elder who talks on and on ?

the guy who fixes my car ?

the lady in line at the Care Station ?

great aunt Susie who has lost her brain ?

Are these folks needy?

(AND YOU CAN ADD TO THIS LIST)

What does each one need?

How can I show them I care?

THAT'S HOW I GIVE THEM EUCHARIST

As you know from reading the Gospels, Jesus was all over the place, in sometimes unbelievable situations that needed correcting.

Let's walk with Jesus this evening and look --

and consider-

in regard to the poor and needy,

Is there a social justice issue here?
An injustice because of the "system"?

Because we've always done it this way? for example,
.. there may not be tutoring help available for the kid in school who takes longer to learn, because the state doesn't fund it (why not?)

and could I volunteer to tutor??

Is that how I can bring Eucharist?
...the hourly wage of a waitress is often way below minimum wage because they are expected to get tips.

(so how much do I tip?)

Is that how I can bring Eucharist?

...There is a constant need for affordable housing - so could I volunteer with Habitat?

Is that how I can bring Eucharist?
ALSO Lets look at

MEMBERS OF OUR OWN FAMILIES

IF WE LOOK CLOSELY AND CAREFULLY

WE CAN IDENTIFY WHO IS NEEDY -
Who in our family needs someone to care about them?
Let's go inside our family members' hearts and minds...

Who in our family may

feel unloved

OR

feel ignored

OR

who is the one who I yelled at last night (Did I make up?)

OR

perhaps our family a fractured family with many needs . . .

OR

AM I A NEEDY PERSON IN MY OWN FAMILY ?

Am I the one who feels unloved?

then maybe we need to be brave enough to talk about it!

Am I the one who feels rejected?

then maybe we need to be brave enough to talk about it!

Am I the one who always picks up the mess in the house?

when no one else bothers?

then maybe we need to be brave enough to talk about it!

Think now about the needy around us, OUR needy. the ones in our neighborhood or workplace,

the ones in our town or area:

To help you picture them, come in your mind with me

on a quick visit to the Tutwiler Clinic in the past couple of weeks.

As an introduction,

(You may not be aware that 69% of those coming to our office have no insurance, no way of paying for their care.

Our ability to cover their care and still pay our staff comes from donations of people who are aware of the situation and give us Eucharist -

they send funds that allow us to be their heart, and their hands, and their voices

to give CARE-- to give Eucharist --

They help our patients experience the presence of God in their lives)

So come with me - here, I'll hold the door ---

So here is a lady who the staff didn't put in a treatment room, but in my ofc. She has on her Sunday outfit today. She came to bring me Eucharist - she is now in treatment for breast cancer and came to give me a thank-you hug for pushing her to get a mammogram in spite of her fright - and I was filled with the presence of God.

~~~~~~~~~~

Here is a new patient, a 20 yr old girl who has a deformed ring finger that's only an inch long, and there are only 2 big toes on her left foot -- She has no income, and is applying for disability. "I'm not going to get pregnant just so I can get on Medicaid," Her real problem? keratoconus -- her cornea is cone-shaped. She is legally blind. We did her physical,

gave her Eucharist by showing her how much we cared.

~~~~~~~~~

Here is a 37 year old guy who repairs cars. I found him sitting on the treatment table in tears. What he needed was a long hug,

so I gave him Eucharist -

He loved his stepfather who had died; I listened, and he told me how much he appreciated my prayer visits to ICU

And he gave me Eucharist

~~~~~~~~~~

Here is a 47 yr old man, here to help with the cotton harvest He had shortness of breath, ankle swelling. We did a chest XR, it showed that his heart was 2 1/2 times normal size. We used some donation money, got an echocardiogram at the hospital - it showed his heart was pumping only 8% of the blood in his heart. It was working as well as a wet paper towel. I did an emergency hospital admission, cared for him in the hosp, used more donations and paid for all 8 of his new discharge meds -

and gave him Eucharist.

He said to me, "What if you hadn't been here?"

And he gave me Eucharist.
~~~~~~~~~

Here is a tall skinny guy with a cough...he feels too sick to work, so he has no income. Our chest XR showed pneumonia. He comes every day for IV antibiotics and for breathing treatments. He comes for care

And we give him Eucharist.

- and when he says he is feeling better now

he gives us Eucharist

~~~~~~~~~~

Now it's the end of the day, I'm sealing all the charts on the computer. While the computer gathers all the data, there's a little pause before the correct screen comes up. So I pray for that patient while I wait,
sending them Eucharist

Consider this:
We, baptized members of the Catholic Church,

are, all of us, the Body of Christ

And as members of that Body,

when we receive Holy Communion Jesus is within us.

It's like we should have a sanctuary lamp in front of us!

we speak Christ's words to others

we pray with our Abba, our Father

we use the actions of Jesus as a guide to our behavior

when we respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit

So really, when we communicate with others,

when we do something for someone else,

WHEN WE SHOW WE CARE

we put them in contact with Jesus -

which is bringing them Eucharist.

I CHALLENGE YOU!

Find someone needy - care about them

care for them

WHAT KIND OF NOURISHMENT

DO THEY NEED?

Is it perhaps a hug?

A gift of our time?

the gift of listening to them?

of sitting with grandma so the sitter can have a break?

Is it a ride to the store or to that person's church?

Can we keep their kids for a couple of hours?

What do they really need that I can help with?

And I close with a prayer~

O God, place me where You want me to be

Challenge me to be aware of injustices.

Help me to right wrongs I see

Teach me to care,

and flood my heart and my soul with Your Divine Presence

that I may carry You to everyone who needs You. amen.

Catholics Should Use Inclusive Language Now/Not "Make Do with Faulty Translation" of Roman Missal

2011-11-26T14:40:00.002-05:00

http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/making-do-faulty-translation
"Yet this Sunday, Nov. 27, the first Sunday in Advent, when we are gathered around the eucharistic table -- what should be the greatest sign of our unity -- many of us will feel depressed. We will feel like losers when we hear not the words that Jesus’ blood “will be shed for you and for all” but that Jesus’ blood “will be shed for you and for many...No words of any language can ever fully express this mystery. That is some consolation. Until we have better words, we can make do with this faulty translation."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
What a cop out! Why should Catholics settle for the crumbs from the Eucharistic Table which this new Roman Missal represents. Why be depressed? Take action. Use inclusive language now. Gather in small faith groups and celebrate liturgy with inclusive language. Withhold money from the local parish until they get it! Educate yourself, invite Benedictine priest Anthony Ruff, a leading U.S. professor of Liturgy, who refused to promote the New Roman Missal to address your parish community. (Visit Call to Action website) Read Fr. Ruff's letter. http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12688
As Catherine of Siena once said, "cry out as if you had a million voices, it is silence that kills the soul." Instead of a defeatist attitude, the leading Catholic newspaper, the National Catholic Reporter should report on some positive resources including the following alternatives for inclusive worship now:
1.The Priests for Equality Inclusive Lectionary, they also have an Inclusive Bible.
Miriam Teresa Winter has written three books that feature feminist interpretation of women's stories in Scripture
2. Sheila Dierks and I have edited two books of Inclusive Eucharistic Prayers that feature prayers from the Ecumenical Catholic Community and Women Priests.
3. The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests offer 11 inclusive liturgies appropriate for different seasons and occasions.
Inclusive Worship Aids
A CD providing worship aids written by Bridget Mary Meehan, Judy Lee and Dorothy Shugrue. It is a resource created by priests in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, containing a variety of Eucharistic liturgies.
It is our hope that this resource will be a blessing for all inclusive communities who worship in spirit and truth. The prayers and rituals can easily be adapted to the specific needs of any group.
Here is a list of included liturgies: ~ Liturgy for Advent/Christmas ~ Liturgy for Lent ~ Liturgy for Water, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Third Sunday of Lent, Easter Season, Baptismal Celebration Liturgy, Earth or Renewal Themes ~ Liturgy for Fire, Easter Season, Pentecost, Earth Day, Social Justice ~ Liturgy for Ordinary Time ~ Liturgy to Celebrate Creation, New Life, Creativity, New Beginnings, Spring or Summer ~ Liturgy for Marian Feast ~ Liturgy to Celebrate Justice, Partnership and Equality for Women in Church and Society ~ Liturgy of Good News to the Poor, For Anytime ~ Liturgy for All Saints’ and/or All Souls’ Day, Funerals/ Memorials.Worship Aids are provided on a CD in Word Doc and PDF formats.
If you are able, a suggested donation of $25.00 will defray our cost and help to support the growth of ARCWP and our ministry. Please click the DONATION button above. If you prefer, you may write a check to: ARCWP, 18520 Eastshore Drive, Ft. Myers, Florida 33967
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

Listen to the "Ballad of Roy Bourgeois", Interview with Steve Jacobs on Social Justice Witness

2011-11-25T22:57:00.003-05:00

http://thefightback.org/2011/11/soa-watch-the-ballad-of-roy-bourgeois/
"Oppression needs complicity of silence to go on,” activist and singer/songwriter Steve Jacobs sang for TheFightBack outside the U.S. Army base at Fort Benning, Georgia, home of the School of the Americas (SOA). Renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) in 2000, over the years SOA has trained tens of thousands of Latin American soldiers, many of whom have gone on to commit human rights abuses."

Support Women Priests this Christmas- Put Books Written by Women Priests and About Women Priests on Christmas List

2011-11-25T14:51:00.045-05:00

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. Donations are tax-deductable to the extent permitted by law. If you would like to support our ministry, please press the Donate button on our website. http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
If you prefer, you may write a check to: ARCWP, 18520 East Shore Drive, Ft. Myers, Florida 33967
We thank you for your support and pray God's blessings return to you ten-fold.

Books written by Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests:

Come By Here by Dr. Judy Lee, inspiring book about Pastor Judy's ministry to the homeless in the Ft. Myers, Florida area. The good news is that people are moving from homelessness and poverty to shelter and resources. Find out why? Hint: Communities of Faith are helping. So can you. (available online retailers including amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Come-Here-Judith-B-Lee/dp/1451274866/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291426558&sr=1-1-fkmr0

The Life of the Spirit in the Convergent Points of Dreams, Spirituality and Psychology by Dr. Eleonora V. Marinaro whose work in psychology and in spirituality shows her how both subjects interface in the human psyche. Each discipline provides a method and a path for healing, wholeness and transformation. Her working model and theories are based on her own dream experiences and those of her private clients and dream groups. Her research reveals that dreams can describe and contribute to understanding the growth and healing process. Influenced by her study of Carl Jung, Dr. Marinaro says: “For Jung, it was not about religion, but about a personal spirituality and relationship with God. Jung saw dreams as the vehicle for spiritual experience and transformation.” Much like Dr. Marinaro herself does. Published by Outskirts Press. Purchase on Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Life+of+the+Spirit+by+Dr.+Eleonora+Marinaro

Living Gospel Equality Now: Loving in the Heart of God- A Roman Catholic Woman Priest Story by Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan, a woman priest's story, spirituality, and journey to partnership in a Christ-centered, Spirit- empowered community of equals. Roman Catholic Women Priests are rocking the Catholic Church to its foundations as they share women's experiences and claim women's spiritual power as spiritual equals. For some, like the Catholic hierarchy, women priests are a revolution. For millions of people, the time has come for a holy shakeup that will bring new life, creativity and justice to the church and beyond. Available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Living+Gospel+Equality+Now
http://www.virtualbookworm.com/bookstore/product/woman_priest.html

Book About Women's Ordination written by Dr. Ida Raming/Germany
A History of Women's Ordination
For decades, Professor Ida Raming has been one of the leaders in the forefront of the argument in favor of the ordination of women. First published by Scarecrow Press in 1976, Dr. Raming has recently republished her classic German study accompanied by an invaluable updated international bibliography as well as three recent articles that provide scholarly responses to the Vatican's position. This second edition provides an English translation of the new updated German edition. Also provided is an English translation of all the canonical sources quoted by Raming and a chronological bibliography on women's ordination from 1973 to the present.
http://www.amazon.com/History-Women-Ordination-Vol-Priestly/dp/0810848503/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322249453&sr=8-1

Book - Early History of Women Priests Movement:
Women Find A Way: The Movement and Stories of Roman Catholic Womenpriests edited by
Elsie McGrath, Bridget Mary Meehan, and Ida Raming
Meet Roman Catholic Womenpriests who are shaping a more inclusive, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered Church of equals in the twenty-first century. All are welcome at the sacred Eucharistic table. Meet women bishops ordained in full apostolic succession who continue to carry on the work of ordaining others in the Roman Catholic Church. Meet women who are serving the People of God in many ways including house churches and parish communities, hospital and hospice chaplaincy, anointing of the sick and elderly, and ministering with the homeless. Roman Catholic Womenpriests are leading the Catholic Church into a new age in which the identity of priest reflects the experiences of women.
http://www.amazon.com/Women-Find-Way-Movement-Womenpriests/dp/1602642230/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322249883&sr=1-4

New Books with Chapters on Women Priests:

Changing Church, Stories of liberating Ministers by Jann Aldredge-Clanton
Through the fascinating stories of pioneering ministers, this book reveals a unique picture of progressive changes occurring in the Christian tradition. Meeting challenges and overcoming obstacles, these twelve diverse ministers are changing the church as they take prophetic stands on gender, race, interfaith cooperation, ecology, sexual orientation, economic opportunity, and other social justice issues. Believing in the power of sacred symbolism to shape social reality and to provide a foundation for justice and freedom for all people, these ministers lead worship with inclusive language and imagery for humanity and divinity. They include multicultural female and male images of the Divine. Meeting challenges and overcoming obstacles, these twelve diverse ministers are changing the church as they take prophetic stands on gender, race, interfaith cooperation, ecology, sexual orientation, economic opportunity and social justice isues.
https://wipfandstock.com/store/Changing_Church_Stories_of_Liberating_Ministers;
http://www.amazon.com/Changing-Church-Stories-Liberating-Ministers/dp/1610974514/ref=sr_1_1_title_2_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322615974&sr=1-1Called -Women Hear the Voice of the Divine by Gretchen Kloten Minney
(WNN) U.S.: “Abundant evidence exists that many women were ordained and served as deacons and priests in the early church,” says practicing Roman Catholic Gretchen Kloten Minney, who is also a humanitarian and North American author of the new book, “Called – Women Hear the Voice of the Divine.”As the revolutions of the Arab Spring change the political landscape of the Middle East, another important transformative revolution is building inside one of our major world religions.What’s at stake? Modern day Roman Catholicism and its identity in priesthood.

http://www.amazon.com/Called-Women-Divine-Gretchen-Kloten-Minney/dp/1450721265

http://womennewsnetwork.net/2011/11/24/book-women-priests-rights-religion/

Mosaic of Holy Mother Mary, as Archbishop in Basilica Usana in Ravenna, Italy

2011-11-25T09:25:00.002-05:00

An iconic mosaic of 'Holy Mother' Mary at the 6th century Archiepiscopal Chapel, Ravenna, Italy, shows Mary wearing dark vestments with a white pallium with the Christian symbol of crosses. Historical reference to the pallium links it to a portion of dress reserved only for Archbishops. Image: Christa Belting-Ihm, Carl Winter, Heidelberg 1976

Thanksgiving Day Blessings from Bridget Mary Meehan

2011-11-24T16:45:00.000-05:00

On this Thanksgiving Day I give thanks for all my blessings, for family, friends, and community.
I give thanks for your ongoing support of our Women Priests movement for justice and for equality in our church and our world.
I give thanks for all our women deacons, priests and bishops who are following God's call to serve the people of God in enthusiastic Christ-centered communities of equals. We are dismantling the patriarchial, clerical model, one community at a time.The renewal of our beloved church is blossoming in these grassroots communities.
Let us give thanks and rejoice for God is doing great things for us.
At the end of the day, it is not about us, it is about justice for the marginalized especially women in the church and world, and ultimately about justice for all. The movement for justice and equality is the voice of God in our time.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

View SOA Watch Vigil of Photos including Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Standing in Solidarity with Thousands for Justice to Close School of Americas/Ft. Benning,GA.

2011-11-24T16:31:00.000-05:00

https://picasaweb.google.com/106597675897561083714/SOAWatch2011#