Fr. Roy Bourgeois, who has been threatened with excommunication, but who has not received any official word from the Vatican, is continuing to speak out about the issue of justice and equality for women in the Roman Catholic Church. He has received many invitations to speak all over the United States. In recent talks, he is encouraging Catholics to stand up for justice for women in our beloved Roman Catholic Church. Now is the time for grassroots action.
Here is the Postcard Campaign for Justice in our Church! Download the postcard (front and back) and make copies to share with your local communities.Or, if you want postcards to share with your community, write to RCWP Janice Sevre-Duszynska at rhythmsofthedance@msn.com and she will mail you copies of the postcard to share with friends. Make copies of the addresses below to hand out to your community with the postcards.
People to Write to
(You may add your local bishop)
Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio
3339 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: 202-333-7121Fax: 202-337-4036
Pope Benedict XVI
00120 Via de Pellegrino
Citta del Vaticano, Europe
The Pope's email address
(for English correspondence) is
benedictxvi@vatican.va
Fax from USA: 011-39-06698-85378
Cardinal William Levada
Congregation for Doctrine of Faith
Piazza del S. Uffizio, 11,00193 Roma, Italy
Tel: 06-69-88-33-57; 06-69-88-34-13Fax: 06-69-88-34-09
Maryknoll Fathers Superior General, Edward Dougherty
at edougherty@maryknoll.org
and to the three-member Maryknoll Council at
mklcouncil@maryknoll.org and/or fax to 914-944-3600
Write to: Maryknoll Council, P.O. Box 303, Maryknoll, NY 10545
Living Gospel Inclusivity and Empowerment Now- https://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/2025/10/rev-dr-bridget-mary-meehan-arcwp-chat.html
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Postcard (back) for Promotion of Justice and Equality in RC Church
Please mail or place in collection basket.
TO CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADERS
People to Write to (You may add your local bishop)
Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio
3339 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: 202-333-7121Fax: 202-337-4036
Pope Benedict XVI
00120 Via de Pellegrino
Citta del Vaticano,
Europe
The Pope's email address (for English correspondence) is
Fax from USA: 011-39-06698-85378
Cardinal William Levada
Congregation for Doctrine of Faith
Piazza del S. Uffizio, 11,00193 Roma, Italy
Tel: 06-69-88-33-57; 06-69-88-34-13Fax: 06-69-88-34-09
Maryknoll Fathers Superior General,
Edward Dougherty at edougherty@maryknoll.org
and to the three-member Maryknoll Council at
and/or fax to 914-944-3600
Write to: Maryknoll Council,
P.O. Box 303, Maryknoll, NY 10545
Roman Catholic Womenpriest Janice Sevre Duszynska will attend U N Session
Janice Sevre Duszynska at her ordination
on Aug. 9, 2008 in Lexington, Kentucky
My friend, archaeologist and theologian Dorothy Irvin of St. Paul, MN, has invited me to be a designated representative of St. Joan's International Alliance, the world's oldest Catholic feminist group and longstanding Non-governmental Organization (NGO). We will participate in the 53rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW53) to be held from 2 to 13 March 2009 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The session will be attended by 2,000 representatives of Member States, UN entities and of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world.
Originally founded in 1911 in London as a Catholic Woman's Suffragist group, St. Joan's International Alliance expanded its objectives to secure legal and de facto equality between women and men in society. It has worked with the United Nations (and earlier with the League of Nations) for: the abolition of child and forced marriages and slavery traffic and traffic in persons; the political rights of women; equal access to education and vocational training and economic opportunities; family law; elimination of discrimination against women.
In the Roman Catholic church, the Alliance has petitioned for lay men and women observers and women auditors at the Second Vatican Council, for the revision of the nuptial liturgy, revision of those canons of the code that adversely affect women, and admission of women to the diaconate and priesthood on the same terms and under the same conditions as men.
In 1937, the Alliance presented a paper to the League of Nations on the Condition of Women in colonized countries of Africa and Asia. Since then, the Alliance has campaigned against the ritual sexual mutilatation of young girls and adolescents, the first organization to do so, according to historian Anne Marie Pelzer. In 1952, a representative of the Alliance presented the first official intervention on this issue to the UN Economic and Social Council. The Alliance has been represented as a Non-governmental Organization at all sessions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in New York and Geneva since 1951.
The active participation of NGOs is a critical element in the work of the CSW. NGOs have been influential in shaping the current global policy framework on women's empowerment and gender equality - the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. They continue to play an important role in holding international and national leaders accountable for the commitments they made in the Platform for Action.
The themes that will be considered at the CSW53 are the following:
Priority theme:"The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS."
Review theme:"Equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels" adopted at the 50th CSW.
Emerging Issue:"The gender perspectives of the financial crisis.
"The Commission on the Status of Women is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. It is the principal global policy-making body. Every year for 10 days, representatives of Member States gather at UN Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide.
The Commission consists of one representative from each of the 45 Member States elected by the Council on the basis of equitable geographical distribution: thirteen members from Africa; eleven from Asia; nine from Latin American and Caribbean; eight from Western Europe and other States and four from Eastern Europe. Members are elected for a period of four years.
The Commission was established in June 1946 with the aim to prepare recommendations and reports to the Council on promoting women's rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational fields. It also makes recommendations to the Council on urgent problems requiring immediate attention in the field of women's rights.
The principal output of the CSW is the so-called agreed conclusions on priority themes set for each year. Agreed conclusions, contain an anlysis of the priority theme of concern and a set of concrete recommendations for Goverments, intergovernmental bodies and other institutions, civil society actors and other relevant stakeholders, to be implemented at the international, national, regional and local level.
In addition to the agreed conclusions, the Commission also adopts a number of resolutions on a range of issues, including the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women; and women, the girl child and HIV/AIDS. The final report of the Commission is submitted to the Economic and Social Council for adoption.
Janice Sevre-Duszynska
Roman Catholic Womanpriest
Monday, February 16, 2009
Dina Cormick: Feminist Artist from S. Africa: Art images-Heroic Women Series
And Miriam Danced
Rachel
Ruth and Naomi
Susanna of Babylon
Apphia, priest to Colossae
Priscilla Priest of Corinth
Phoebe
Chloe, priest of Corinth
Amanda of Bethany
Sophie and the women of Jerusalem
Prophetess Ana blesses Mary's child
Tamar accuses father-in-law, Jacob
Queen Esther
Queen Vashti
The images above come to our blog from DINA CORMICK, feminist artist and visual theologian, who was born in Nkana, Zambia in 1942. Graduated with honours in Fine Art from Durban University of Technology in 1965, and in 1993 graduated cum laude as a "Mistress" of Feminist Theological Ethics from University of South Africa, after critically discussing the manner in which women have been imaged by the Christian Church. Over the years, Dina has been actively involved in several women's movements for change for example, The Black Sash; The Christian Womens' Movement (CWM); The Institute of Contextual Theology's Womens' Kairos;The Circle for Concerned African Women Theologians; Interfaith Women Against Abuse (IWAA); Sisters Of Faith In Action (SOFIA) and most recently The Feminist Party, birthed at AWID Forum in Cape Town November 2008. Significantly the most contentious movement was WOZA (Women's Ordination South Africa) which Dina co-founded with Velisizwe Mkhwanazi in 1996. Dina was personally demonized by the Catholic Priests Organisation with full consent of the local hierarchy. "I not only received more hate-mail and abusive telephone calls than during the apartheid era as a Black Sash, but I lost my 'bread and butter' art commissions from the Church."
However, apart from the above, since 1978 she has worked as free-lance artist from her studio in Durban. Her commissioned artworks which, include wood sculptures, mosaic and ceramic panels, book illustrations and posters can be found widely distributed through Southern Africa in ecumenical church institutions, as well as in numerous grassroot and socio-political organizations. Her particular concerns and interests lie in the didactic importance of art. "I feel very strongly that art has an important formative role to play in our lives, especially toward challenging the ethics of our society. I am committed to a reclaiming and enkindling of the spiritual resources of women through a visual theology." From 1986 Cormick's artworks have predominantly focused on women.
Using images from the "Heroic Womens Series" of paintings and her current artworks, "Icons In celebration of Women" to be exhibited at CTA 2009, well known South African artist Dina Cormick will speak about her impulse to create positive, affirming and challenging woman-imagery. "I call the women I image "heroines" – they could be called great ancestors or honoured foremothers. The main focus has always been to celebrate and honor the stories within each woman. The Heroic Women Series began in 1987 as a visual celebration of the women in the Scriptures, proclaiming and naming the hitherto nameless and neglected. Subsequent series have reclaimed and celebrated the wise and courageous women of history, especially the women who struggled an often painful spiritual journey for justice and equality.
For example a motivating force for the South African Heroine series was a real concern that in the surge towards economic gender equality, many of our young women are unaware of the depth of contribution made by women against the oppressive patriarchal regime of apartheid. We have not honoured them enough - women like Lilian Ngoyi, Francis Baard, Jabu Ndlovu, Victoria Mxenge, and Lydia Kompe… I believe that women need images to empower, to affirm and simply to celebrate womenhood - the feminine divine, WiseWomen & EveryWoman.
The images above come to our blog from DINA CORMICK, feminist artist and visual theologian, who was born in Nkana, Zambia in 1942. Graduated with honours in Fine Art from Durban University of Technology in 1965, and in 1993 graduated cum laude as a "Mistress" of Feminist Theological Ethics from University of South Africa, after critically discussing the manner in which women have been imaged by the Christian Church. Over the years, Dina has been actively involved in several women's movements for change for example, The Black Sash; The Christian Womens' Movement (CWM); The Institute of Contextual Theology's Womens' Kairos;The Circle for Concerned African Women Theologians; Interfaith Women Against Abuse (IWAA); Sisters Of Faith In Action (SOFIA) and most recently The Feminist Party, birthed at AWID Forum in Cape Town November 2008. Significantly the most contentious movement was WOZA (Women's Ordination South Africa) which Dina co-founded with Velisizwe Mkhwanazi in 1996. Dina was personally demonized by the Catholic Priests Organisation with full consent of the local hierarchy. "I not only received more hate-mail and abusive telephone calls than during the apartheid era as a Black Sash, but I lost my 'bread and butter' art commissions from the Church."
However, apart from the above, since 1978 she has worked as free-lance artist from her studio in Durban. Her commissioned artworks which, include wood sculptures, mosaic and ceramic panels, book illustrations and posters can be found widely distributed through Southern Africa in ecumenical church institutions, as well as in numerous grassroot and socio-political organizations. Her particular concerns and interests lie in the didactic importance of art. "I feel very strongly that art has an important formative role to play in our lives, especially toward challenging the ethics of our society. I am committed to a reclaiming and enkindling of the spiritual resources of women through a visual theology." From 1986 Cormick's artworks have predominantly focused on women.
Using images from the "Heroic Womens Series" of paintings and her current artworks, "Icons In celebration of Women" to be exhibited at CTA 2009, well known South African artist Dina Cormick will speak about her impulse to create positive, affirming and challenging woman-imagery. "I call the women I image "heroines" – they could be called great ancestors or honoured foremothers. The main focus has always been to celebrate and honor the stories within each woman. The Heroic Women Series began in 1987 as a visual celebration of the women in the Scriptures, proclaiming and naming the hitherto nameless and neglected. Subsequent series have reclaimed and celebrated the wise and courageous women of history, especially the women who struggled an often painful spiritual journey for justice and equality.
For example a motivating force for the South African Heroine series was a real concern that in the surge towards economic gender equality, many of our young women are unaware of the depth of contribution made by women against the oppressive patriarchal regime of apartheid. We have not honoured them enough - women like Lilian Ngoyi, Francis Baard, Jabu Ndlovu, Victoria Mxenge, and Lydia Kompe… I believe that women need images to empower, to affirm and simply to celebrate womenhood - the feminine divine, WiseWomen & EveryWoman.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Association for the Rights of Catholics Publication: Annulment:External Forum and Internal Forum
ARCC spot LIGHT (analysis of Church issues offered by the ARCC Publications Committee, L. Arceneaux, R. Schutzius, eds.)
ANNULMENT: External Forum and Internal Forum
Baptized couples bestow the sacrament of Marriage on each other by a commitment of life-time fidelity. If two capable people freely commit, a sacramental marriage is achieved. They become instruments of God's grace for each other. As many as half of Catholic marriages now end. What explains this? Two possibilities are: 1) An essential element was missing from the beginning of the marriage, or 2) it was lost along the way. Either way, the sacramental element (conferring grace on each other) does not exist. While divorce/remarriage, like contraception, has become more a matter of individual conscience, it is a much more serious matter with profound consequences.
Every human effort should be made to avoid the tragedy of a failed marriage. Human failures occur. Mistakes are made. But life goes on and so does one's spiritual life. God continues to love us in spite of our failures. The Church offers two options to those in failed unions.
The External Forum Annulment (EFA) is a process whereby the Catholic Church judges that a failed marriage never reached a sacramental level even though one or both of the parties thought they were doing all necessary. The judgment is based on external evidence. Once an annulment is granted, the parties may attempt another marriage in the Church. Annulments do not nullify civil marriages nor render illegitimate children born of failed unions. The Internal Forum Annulment (IFA) process is a self-help alternative whereby one judges in conscience that a failed marriage is no longer sacramental. The judgment is an internal, conscience-based conclusion made with or without objective evidence.
Both processes attempt to resolve the status of a failed marriage. Respect for the authority of the Church and for the integrity of a well-formed conscience to judge the validity of a marriage are involved. Both are human judgments with these same conditions of circumstances and conscience.
1) The firm conviction in conscience that a previous marriage does not have sacramental status due to a lack of an essential condition in one or both parties.* 2) The sacramentality of the current marriage is judged valid in the eyes of God and Christian community
Where possible, annulment should be sought through the External Forum process. When this is not possible (too costly or for lack of objective evidence) the Internal Forum Annulment process is an alternative way to affirm the judgment made in conscience that a marriage never was or is not now a valid sacramental marriage.
The Church does not provide much information about the IFA since no official external verification is involved. The IFA remains an internal process between the individual and an objective advisor/guide/spiritual director/parish priest. Beginning about 1000 years ago the Church began to assert judgment over the sacramental marriage of Christians. It established and maintains tribunals to do this based on external evidence. It cannot and does not judge the internal decision made by an individual since this is a conscience matter.
Catholics are free to use ALL the legitimate processes of the Church. Following a well informed conscience is one of these processes. Faced with this judgment, always give due respect to the authority and process of the Church, while mindful that the right to enter into the difficult IFA process, following the conclusion of your own conscience, is a legitimate alternative recognized by the Church.
Guidance through the IFA process serves as an unbiased assessment of this very personal decision based on prayer (conversation with God) and trust in God's mercy. See "Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church" by Bishop Geoffrey Robinson (Chapter 8), for a more complete treatment and guidance on the formation of conscience and IFA.
# All Catholics have the right to follow their informed conscience in all matters. (ARCC Charter of Rights, No 1)
# All married Catholics have the right to withdraw from a marriage which has irretrievably broken down. All such Catholics retain the radical right to remarry. (ARCC Charter of Rts.No.30)
# All Catholics who are divorced and remarried and who are in conscience reconciled to the Church have the right to the same ministries, including all sacraments, as do other Catholics. (ARCC Charter of Rts., No. 31)
More readings:
http://arcc-catholic-rights.net/internal_forum.htmhttp://arcc-catholic-rights.net/internal_forum_1.htm
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/73422?eng=y
http://www.amazon.com/Confronting-Power-Sex-Catholic-Church/dp/0814618650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1228255513&sr=1-1
* Common defects of decision
1. Inability to fulfill the obligation because of sexual identity confusion
2. Inability to communicate-emotional paralysis, one way communication
3. Pro forma action i.e. marriage to gain immigration/citizenship, pretending
4. Against one's will - forced to marry, fear of displeasing someone
5. Excessive self centeredness, narcissism
6. Hidden details about the 'other' - something that would have been a 'deal breaker' but kept hidden
7. Psychological dysfunction to abuse the 'other'
Remembering the Women Sunday Readings (Review the Book)
Sunday Feb 22, 7th Sunday, Genesis 19:15-26
Ash Wednesday Feb. 25, Exodus 21:7-11, Deuter. 15:12-17, 21:10-14, Oroverbs 4:3-13, Luke 1:45-55, Ester 14:3-14
Sunday March 1, 1st Lent, Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7.
Sunday March 15, 2nd Lent, Genesis 11:27-32, 12:10-20
Support for The Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) is greatly appreciated.
Circulate freely with source acknowledged. Comments welcomed rschutz1@prodigy.net or 1-877-700-ARCC (2722).
ANNULMENT: External Forum and Internal Forum
Baptized couples bestow the sacrament of Marriage on each other by a commitment of life-time fidelity. If two capable people freely commit, a sacramental marriage is achieved. They become instruments of God's grace for each other. As many as half of Catholic marriages now end. What explains this? Two possibilities are: 1) An essential element was missing from the beginning of the marriage, or 2) it was lost along the way. Either way, the sacramental element (conferring grace on each other) does not exist. While divorce/remarriage, like contraception, has become more a matter of individual conscience, it is a much more serious matter with profound consequences.
Every human effort should be made to avoid the tragedy of a failed marriage. Human failures occur. Mistakes are made. But life goes on and so does one's spiritual life. God continues to love us in spite of our failures. The Church offers two options to those in failed unions.
The External Forum Annulment (EFA) is a process whereby the Catholic Church judges that a failed marriage never reached a sacramental level even though one or both of the parties thought they were doing all necessary. The judgment is based on external evidence. Once an annulment is granted, the parties may attempt another marriage in the Church. Annulments do not nullify civil marriages nor render illegitimate children born of failed unions. The Internal Forum Annulment (IFA) process is a self-help alternative whereby one judges in conscience that a failed marriage is no longer sacramental. The judgment is an internal, conscience-based conclusion made with or without objective evidence.
Both processes attempt to resolve the status of a failed marriage. Respect for the authority of the Church and for the integrity of a well-formed conscience to judge the validity of a marriage are involved. Both are human judgments with these same conditions of circumstances and conscience.
1) The firm conviction in conscience that a previous marriage does not have sacramental status due to a lack of an essential condition in one or both parties.* 2) The sacramentality of the current marriage is judged valid in the eyes of God and Christian community
Where possible, annulment should be sought through the External Forum process. When this is not possible (too costly or for lack of objective evidence) the Internal Forum Annulment process is an alternative way to affirm the judgment made in conscience that a marriage never was or is not now a valid sacramental marriage.
The Church does not provide much information about the IFA since no official external verification is involved. The IFA remains an internal process between the individual and an objective advisor/guide/spiritual director/parish priest. Beginning about 1000 years ago the Church began to assert judgment over the sacramental marriage of Christians. It established and maintains tribunals to do this based on external evidence. It cannot and does not judge the internal decision made by an individual since this is a conscience matter.
Catholics are free to use ALL the legitimate processes of the Church. Following a well informed conscience is one of these processes. Faced with this judgment, always give due respect to the authority and process of the Church, while mindful that the right to enter into the difficult IFA process, following the conclusion of your own conscience, is a legitimate alternative recognized by the Church.
Guidance through the IFA process serves as an unbiased assessment of this very personal decision based on prayer (conversation with God) and trust in God's mercy. See "Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church" by Bishop Geoffrey Robinson (Chapter 8), for a more complete treatment and guidance on the formation of conscience and IFA.
# All Catholics have the right to follow their informed conscience in all matters. (ARCC Charter of Rights, No 1)
# All married Catholics have the right to withdraw from a marriage which has irretrievably broken down. All such Catholics retain the radical right to remarry. (ARCC Charter of Rts.No.30)
# All Catholics who are divorced and remarried and who are in conscience reconciled to the Church have the right to the same ministries, including all sacraments, as do other Catholics. (ARCC Charter of Rts., No. 31)
More readings:
http://arcc-catholic-rights.net/internal_forum.htmhttp://arcc-catholic-rights.net/internal_forum_1.htm
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/73422?eng=y
http://www.amazon.com/Confronting-Power-Sex-Catholic-Church/dp/0814618650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1228255513&sr=1-1
* Common defects of decision
1. Inability to fulfill the obligation because of sexual identity confusion
2. Inability to communicate-emotional paralysis, one way communication
3. Pro forma action i.e. marriage to gain immigration/citizenship, pretending
4. Against one's will - forced to marry, fear of displeasing someone
5. Excessive self centeredness, narcissism
6. Hidden details about the 'other' - something that would have been a 'deal breaker' but kept hidden
7. Psychological dysfunction to abuse the 'other'
Remembering the Women Sunday Readings (Review the Book)
Sunday Feb 22, 7th Sunday, Genesis 19:15-26
Ash Wednesday Feb. 25, Exodus 21:7-11, Deuter. 15:12-17, 21:10-14, Oroverbs 4:3-13, Luke 1:45-55, Ester 14:3-14
Sunday March 1, 1st Lent, Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7.
Sunday March 15, 2nd Lent, Genesis 11:27-32, 12:10-20
Support for The Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) is greatly appreciated.
Circulate freely with source acknowledged. Comments welcomed rschutz1@prodigy.net or 1-877-700-ARCC (2722).
Monday, February 9, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Interview with Dagmar Celeste on ABC News
Roman Catholic Womanpriest: Dagmar Celeste was interviewed by Fr. Beck on Faith Matters Now.
"Excommunicated Priest Speaks Out"
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6824630
"Excommunicated Priest Speaks Out"
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6824630
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Sacred Imagination Journal/Lenten Journal
Bishop Dana Reynolds (Western Region of the United States)
http://www.sacredimaginationjournal.typepad.com//
Dana Reynolds is Bishop of the Western Region of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. She is a spiritual director and writer who has been a facilitator of the spiritual/creative process for over twenty years. Dana believes that God speaks to us through the world of images and symbols and that we are invited to be co-creators with the Divine through our sacred imaginations. Visit her weblog where you will find inspiration and tools for enlivening your spiritual practices.
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Gloria Carpeneto and Andrea Johnson preside at Advent Liturgy in Maryland
From right to left: Roman Catholic Womenpriests Gloria Carpeneto and Andrea Johnson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tntm7cLMJCs&feature=email
Friday, February 6, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: St. Teresa of Avila's Prayer
St. Teresa of Avila's Prayer
"Christ has no body now, but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth, but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks with compassion into the world.
Yours are the feet with which Christ walks to do good.
ours are the hands with which Christ blesses the world."
St. Teresa of Avila 1515 Spain, Doctor of the Church
St. Teresa of Avila, a prominent reformer of the Carmelite order, was interrogated by the Inquisition for her teachings on prayer. She is a patron for Catholics, who have been excommunicated, interdicted , and/or condemned by officials in the institutional church. St. Teresa, may we live as you did, as Christ's presence in our world. In my book, Praying with Visionary Women, I write about holy women:mystics, prophets and activists in the Christian tradition.
Bridget Mary Meehan
"Christ has no body now, but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth, but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks with compassion into the world.
Yours are the feet with which Christ walks to do good.
ours are the hands with which Christ blesses the world."
St. Teresa of Avila 1515 Spain, Doctor of the Church
St. Teresa of Avila, a prominent reformer of the Carmelite order, was interrogated by the Inquisition for her teachings on prayer. She is a patron for Catholics, who have been excommunicated, interdicted , and/or condemned by officials in the institutional church. St. Teresa, may we live as you did, as Christ's presence in our world. In my book, Praying with Visionary Women, I write about holy women:mystics, prophets and activists in the Christian tradition.
Bridget Mary Meehan
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Auch "Priesterinnen" wollen in die Kirche
Left to right Bishops Ida Raming, Patricia Fresen, Gisela Forster presided at first historic ordinations in the United States on July 31, 2006 in Pittsburgh, PA. USA
Bishop Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger from Austria in middle, Bill Manseau on left (president of CORPUS), RCWP priest Juanita Cordero (California) at pre-conference retreat day at Call To Action in Milwaukee, Wisconsin/ USA in Nov. 2006
Wenn es bei Lefebvrianern und Holocaust-Leugnern möglich ist, dann soll es auch für Frauen gehen: Die Aufhebung der Exkommunikation der vier traditionalistischen Bischöfe der Piusbruderschaft hat auch Hoffnungen am anderen Ende des katholischen Spektrums genährt, wie Kathpress meldet. Die Organisation "Roman Catholic Womenpriests" (RCWP) forderte jedenfalls Papst Benedikt XVI. auf, jetzt auch das Dekret über den Ausschluss ihrer eigenen Mitglieder aufzuheben.
http://www.kurier.at/nachrichten/292265.php
O zru¹enie exkomunikácie ¾iadajú pápe¾a u¾ aj kòa¾kyDNES.sk - SlovakiaZdroj: AP Organizácia rÃmskokatolÃckych ¾enských kòa¾iek - Roman Catholic Womenpriests - vyzvala pápe¾a Benedikta XVI., aby zru¹il dekrét o exkomunikácii ...
USA: O zru¹enie exkomunikácie ¾iadajú pápe¾a u¾ aj kòa¾kyTA3 - Bratislava,SlovakiaOrganizácia rÃmskokatolÃckych ¾enských kòa¾iek - Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP) - vyzvala pápe¾a Benedikta XVI., aby zru¹il dekrét o exkomunikácii jej ...
Auch "Priesterinnen" wollen in die KircheKurier - Wien,AustriaDie Organisation "Roman Catholic Womenpriests" (RCWP) forderte jedenfalls Papst Benedikt XVI. auf, jetzt auch das Dekret über den Ausschluss ihrer eigenen ...
Catholic Network for Women's Equality (CNWE) calls on Pope Benedict to lift excommunication against all Roman Catholic Women Priests or Bishops
The Catholic Network for Women’s Equality (CNWE) calls on Pope Benedict to lift in a gesture of reconciliation toward women in the Church the decree of automatic excommunication issued on May 29, 2008 against all Roman Catholic Women priests or bishops. We are aware that the Congregation for Bishops, instructed by the Pope, removed the excommunication of four dissenting bishops on Jan. 21, 2009 for the same reason of promoting Church unity.
Rescinding the decree of automatic excommunication would be an act not of charity but of justice. By showing this leadership, the Pope would be taking a great step forward in promoting the full dignity of women. The current practice of saying there is no discrimination against women, and that women cannot be ordained ‘because this is Christ's will’ tragically shifts blame for injustice onto Christ, presenting him as one of the worst discriminators against women in history. It is not Christ who bars women from sacred ministry, it is Canon Law. Grave injustice is done not only to women but to the entire Body of Christ every single time an authentic vocation is discriminated against on the basis of one's sex. This is contrary to St. Paul ’s teaching that “In Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” It is also a gross violation of women’s human rights, as Vatican ll declares: Any kind of social or cultural discrimination in basic personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, colour, social conditions, language or religion, must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design. Gaudium et Spes, art. 29, 2
The National Work Group of CNWE,
Michele Birch Conery, Marie Evans Bouclin, Therese Koturbash, Paula MacQuarrie, Jocelyn Rait.
Rescinding the decree of automatic excommunication would be an act not of charity but of justice. By showing this leadership, the Pope would be taking a great step forward in promoting the full dignity of women. The current practice of saying there is no discrimination against women, and that women cannot be ordained ‘because this is Christ's will’ tragically shifts blame for injustice onto Christ, presenting him as one of the worst discriminators against women in history. It is not Christ who bars women from sacred ministry, it is Canon Law. Grave injustice is done not only to women but to the entire Body of Christ every single time an authentic vocation is discriminated against on the basis of one's sex. This is contrary to St. Paul ’s teaching that “In Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” It is also a gross violation of women’s human rights, as Vatican ll declares: Any kind of social or cultural discrimination in basic personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, colour, social conditions, language or religion, must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design. Gaudium et Spes, art. 29, 2
The National Work Group of CNWE,
Michele Birch Conery, Marie Evans Bouclin, Therese Koturbash, Paula MacQuarrie, Jocelyn Rait.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Role of Bishops in Early Church Conversation with Roman Catholic Theologian and Archaelogist: St. Brigit of Kildare- Bishop and Abbess
Bishop Theodora and St. Praxedis (bishops depicted in mosaic in St. Praxedis Church in Rome)
St. Brigit of Kildare ( 450 AD, bishop and abbess, feast Feb. 1st)
This week Dorothy Irvin, distinguished Roman Catholic Theologian and Archaeologist and I had a conversation on the role of bishops in the early church.
1 Before Constantine, Christians met for worship in the homes.
2. The bishop's home was a gathering place for worship, meal sharing, distribution of goods to the indigent. There were multiple house churches in Rome. Hence, bishops originated in the house churches.
3. In mosaic above in St. Praxedis Church in Rome you see depictions of two women bishops, who lived 600 years apart, St. Praxedis and Theodora.
4. The church of St. Prisca and Pudentiana were early house churches.
5. After 325 A.D., when Christianity became legal, the pagan temples were turned into churches, worship moved from the homes to public buildings.
6. The bishop became a government official/ a magistrate. The diocese was a civil division like a county and the bishop had a territory to administer.
7. The Vatican still assigns cardinals as titular heads to what were formerly house churches in Rome.
I find this interesting as Roman Catholic Womenpriests elect bishops. Some of us originate in contemporary house churches!
St. Brigit of Kildare from Praying with Celtic Holy Women
by Bridget Mary Meehan and Regina Madonna Oliver
Today, Feb. 1st is the feast day of St. Brigit of Kildare, (born 450AD) who according to the Irish Life of Brigit was ordained a bishop.
Filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Mel, St. Patrick's nephew, read the form of ordaining a bishop over Brigit. While she was being consecrated a brillant fiery flame ascended from her head. Mac Caille, Mel's assistant complained that a bishop's rank was bestowed on a woman. (some things never seem to change, do they?)
Bishop Mel argued: "But I do not have any power in this matter. That dignity has been given by God to Brigit beyond every other woman. Only this virgin in the whole of Ireland will hold the episcopal ordination." Bishop Mel seemed to say that only the abbesses of Kildare could be ordained bishops. Brigit's successors would have high level authority in the Irish church. Indeed other Irish bishops customarily sat at the feet of Brigit's successors until the Synod of Kells ended this tradition in 1159.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Article in Boston Globe "Women to pope: Un-excommunicate us!"
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2009/01/women_to_pope_u.html
The author, Michael Paulson, wrote two articles about our ordinations in Boston on July 18, 2008 and July21, 2008.
Michael Paulson, in 2002, broke the story of sex abuse the Boston Archdiocese.
The author, Michael Paulson, wrote two articles about our ordinations in Boston on July 18, 2008 and July21, 2008.
Michael Paulson, in 2002, broke the story of sex abuse the Boston Archdiocese.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests on "IReport" on CNN
Go up to link on CNN site and add a comment if you wish.
Bridget Mary Meehan
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests call on Pope Benedict to lift excommunications against womenpriests in the Catholic Church
For immediate release
Jan. 28, 2009
Jan. 28, 2009
From Roman Catholic Womenpriests
CONTACTS:Bridget Mary Meehan: 941-955-2313 (703) 505-0004(cell), 703-671-6712
sofiabmm@aol.com
Roman Catholic Womenpriests call on Pope Benedict to lift the decree of automatic excommunication issued on May 29, 2008 against all in our movement as a gesture of reconciliation and justice toward women in the church. As is well known, the Congregation for Bishops, instructed by the Pope, removed the excommunication of four traditionist bishops on Jan. 21, 2009.
sofiabmm@aol.com
Roman Catholic Womenpriests call on Pope Benedict to lift the decree of automatic excommunication issued on May 29, 2008 against all in our movement as a gesture of reconciliation and justice toward women in the church. As is well known, the Congregation for Bishops, instructed by the Pope, removed the excommunication of four traditionist bishops on Jan. 21, 2009.
Therefore, Roman Catholic Womenpriests call on the Pope to lift the decree of excommunication against us. This gesture will be a step away from the institutional church’s treatment of women as second-class citizens. We stand firmly in the tradition of Vatican ll which declares:
"Any kind of social or cultural discrimination in basic personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language or religion, must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design." Gaudium et Spes, art. 29, 2
No priest pedophiles have been excommunicated.No bishops who were responsible for their continued placement in parishes after their pedophile history was known have been excommunicated.
Theologians who teach and support Vatican II teachings and who support women's ordination are silenced and/or excommunicated.
Women ordained as priests are excommunicated.
Priests and laity who support women priests are excommunicated.
But, priests who reject Vatican II and who deny the holocaust and who openly deny the full equality of women are "rehabilitated" after earlier excommunication.
What's wrong with this picture?
*Bishop Williamson, who denies that holocaust happened, was one of four bishops, who rejected Vatican ll, who were recently re-admitted to the Roman Catholic Church. In this article he writes about girls going to the university:
"Almost No Girl Should Go to University"
Response Regarding Excommunication Decree
Roman Catholic Womenpriests reject the penalty of excommunication issued by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith on May 29, 2008 stating that the “women priests and the bishops who ordain them would be excommunicated latae sententiae.” Roman Catholic Womenpriests are loyal members of the church who stand in the prophetic tradition of holy obedience to the Spirit’s call to change an unjust law that discriminates against women. Our movement is receiving enthusiastic responses on the local, national and international level. We will continue to serve our beloved church in a renewed priestly ministry that welcomes all to celebrate the sacraments in inclusive, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered communities wherever we are called.
Roman Catholic Womenpriests reject the penalty of excommunication issued by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith on May 29, 2008 stating that the “women priests and the bishops who ordain them would be excommunicated latae sententiae.” Roman Catholic Womenpriests are loyal members of the church who stand in the prophetic tradition of holy obedience to the Spirit’s call to change an unjust law that discriminates against women. Our movement is receiving enthusiastic responses on the local, national and international level. We will continue to serve our beloved church in a renewed priestly ministry that welcomes all to celebrate the sacraments in inclusive, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered communities wherever we are called.
The Vatican confirmed the excommunication of the Danube 7 with a decree in Dec. 2002. The Roman Catholic Womenpriests initiative began on June 29, 2002 with the ordination of seven women on the Danube River. Read our new book , Women Find a Way, to find our more about the history of the movement and stories of some of the women in Roman Catholic Womenpriests. Visit www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: in national news magazine: Ms-"Vatican Justice"
Vatican Justice" by Bill Frogameni
makes a contrast between priests who molest children who are protected by Catholic hierarchy and priests who support womenpriests.
Article highlights Roy Bourgeois who stood with " trailblazers of the female ordination movement in Lexington KY. to make Janice Sevre-Duszynska a Catholic priest."
This article quotes Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, spokesoman for th e U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "The church believes that the intent of Jesus ' founding of the priesthood is that it was reserved for men," explained Sister Mary Anne Walsh spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
But speaking for the group Roman Catholic Womenpriests, Bridget Mary Meehan, herself ordained in 2006, and subsequently excommunicated, disputes that teaching:
Jesus never ordained anyone." says Meehan. "And in the tradition, women were ordained deacons, priests and bishops for the first 1200 years." p. 18.
Article highlights Roy Bourgeois who stood with " trailblazers of the female ordination movement in Lexington KY. to make Janice Sevre-Duszynska a Catholic priest."
This article quotes Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, spokesoman for th e U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "The church believes that the intent of Jesus ' founding of the priesthood is that it was reserved for men," explained Sister Mary Anne Walsh spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
But speaking for the group Roman Catholic Womenpriests, Bridget Mary Meehan, herself ordained in 2006, and subsequently excommunicated, disputes that teaching:
Jesus never ordained anyone." says Meehan. "And in the tradition, women were ordained deacons, priests and bishops for the first 1200 years." p. 18.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Catholic Renewal Group calls to Pope Benedict: "Be Catholic"
To Pope Benedict: Be Catholic!
The latest move by Pope Benedict XVI to reinstate four schismatic bishops of the St. Pius X Society—which rejects the liberalizing decrees of Vatican Council II (1962-65)—is shocking as it negatively highlights the millions of Catholics he apparently is not interested in reaching out to, including the millions deprived of the Eucharist because of the medieval law requiring that only celibate males can be priests.
Last spring the Pew Foundation found that there are currently 65 million American Catholics—and 30 million former American Catholics! These latter are not Vatican II rejectionists like the Traditionalists, but most likely are either Catholics who are deeply disappointed at the anti-Vatican II Restorationism of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, or never really learned about the Freedom Spirit of Vatican II in the parched years after the appointment of Cardinal Wotyla as Pope in late 1978.
We of the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC, founded in 1980 in the wake of the Vatican repression of Catholic thinkers in 1979) welcome the reaching out to the few million Traditionalist Catholics.
We also cry out for a reaching out to the 30 million alienated former American Catholics! (How many more millions of former Catholics are there elsewhere in the world!?) We also look for a reaching out to the untold millions of the 65 million current American Catholics who are barely holding on to their church membership by their fingernails, threatening to swell the ranks of the 30 missing millions.
Personally, I also plead with my former colleague on the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University of Tübingen, Professor Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, to reach out not only to the right, but also to the left. Make our Church truly catholic, universal!
Professor Leonard Swidler, Ph.D., S.T.L.
President, Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church
E-mail: dialogue@temple.edu ; Tel: 513-508-1935
Web: arcc-catholic-rights.net
Leonard Swidler, Ph.D., S.T.L., LL.D., LL.D.
Prof Catholic Thought & Interreligious Dialogue
215-204-7251 (Off.) 215-477-1080 (Home) 513-508-1935 (Mobile)
E-mail: dialogue@temple.edu ; Web: http://astro.temple.edu/~dialogue/Swidler/
Editor, Journal Ecumenical Studies; Pres Dialogue Institute http://jesiiid.org/
Religion Dept Temple Univ Philadelphia, PA 19122 http://www.temple.edu/religion
Pres, Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church arcc-catholic-rights.net
The latest move by Pope Benedict XVI to reinstate four schismatic bishops of the St. Pius X Society—which rejects the liberalizing decrees of Vatican Council II (1962-65)—is shocking as it negatively highlights the millions of Catholics he apparently is not interested in reaching out to, including the millions deprived of the Eucharist because of the medieval law requiring that only celibate males can be priests.
Last spring the Pew Foundation found that there are currently 65 million American Catholics—and 30 million former American Catholics! These latter are not Vatican II rejectionists like the Traditionalists, but most likely are either Catholics who are deeply disappointed at the anti-Vatican II Restorationism of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, or never really learned about the Freedom Spirit of Vatican II in the parched years after the appointment of Cardinal Wotyla as Pope in late 1978.
We of the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC, founded in 1980 in the wake of the Vatican repression of Catholic thinkers in 1979) welcome the reaching out to the few million Traditionalist Catholics.
We also cry out for a reaching out to the 30 million alienated former American Catholics! (How many more millions of former Catholics are there elsewhere in the world!?) We also look for a reaching out to the untold millions of the 65 million current American Catholics who are barely holding on to their church membership by their fingernails, threatening to swell the ranks of the 30 missing millions.
Personally, I also plead with my former colleague on the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University of Tübingen, Professor Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, to reach out not only to the right, but also to the left. Make our Church truly catholic, universal!
Professor Leonard Swidler, Ph.D., S.T.L.
President, Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church
E-mail: dialogue@temple.edu ; Tel: 513-508-1935
Web: arcc-catholic-rights.net
Leonard Swidler, Ph.D., S.T.L., LL.D., LL.D.
Prof Catholic Thought & Interreligious Dialogue
215-204-7251 (Off.) 215-477-1080 (Home) 513-508-1935 (Mobile)
E-mail: dialogue@temple.edu ; Web: http://astro.temple.edu/~dialogue/Swidler/
Editor, Journal Ecumenical Studies; Pres Dialogue Institute http://jesiiid.org/
Religion Dept Temple Univ Philadelphia, PA 19122 http://www.temple.edu/religion
Pres, Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church arcc-catholic-rights.net
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Roman Catholic Womanpriest Judy Lee: Ministry to the Homeless- "Jim Died Tonight"
(Roman Catholic Womanpriest standing next to Jim seated to her right)Jim died tonight. He was 49 years old. I am attaching a picture of us from last July. It is a picture I will send his family. He is the one seated holding my hand.I brought him into Lee Memorial on Friday night from the ministry. His pancreas and liver were shot and he was in much pain as his belly looked like a 12 month pregnancy. He had lain in the woods for two weeks in this awful state but I only learned of it on Wednesday. Finally someone directed us to him on Thursday night. I sent the Salvation Army Nurse there on Friday afternoon but he refused her help. I had her tell him to come to the ministry or I would come get him on Friday night. His best friend put him on the bus from NFM and there he was-so frightened and in such pain. I talked with him until he had the courage to go with me. One of the volunteers drove us up the street and his friend and I somehow got all immobilized 6 feet of him in there. He would not let me leave his side so I went through the exams with him. When they finally sat him in a recliner he said "this IS better, and this is my Pastor, and I love her.I told him that I loved him too and that he was God's beloved son". "I know" he said and the Nurses were crying and so was I. He was finally admitted after many hours in the ER I visited him on Saturday after church and he was agitated( I think also detoxing with tremors) but so happy to see us. We talked about his parents and children in another state. I took his parent's number but he doubted that they would call him. We talked about forgiving and being forgiven. He conveyed his love for them, and I will tell his parents that when I call them tomorrow.How I wish that I had remembered to call them on what was a hectic Sunday. At the end of the visit I anointed him with oil of Chrism and prayed with him. He put his arms around me and thanked me for loving him. He did the same with JudyB. I thanked him for loving us. We had talked about his possible discharge( to SA Med Unit or or Joshua House) and he wanted to make sure we would bring him clean clothes on Monday! I asked my 'elders' to visit him on Sunday but do not know if they did. Well, we spent today settling Brenda into her new home in Port Charlotte and got there about 6PM. We learned that he had recently been taken to ICU. When we got there we were shocked to learn that he had just died. They let us stay with him and I said the final prayers. This was a time of peace and grace. He is free of all the tortures he has faced. And tomorrow I will make final plans with the family and do some sort of a funeral/Memorial Service here soon. But, I can not tell you what this has done to me. I feel like I am running to meet urgent needs like this and can't run fast enough. There is a renewed sense of urgency about this ministry,and the prayer to have more hands to do it. I guess that is the prayer for church to do its work before we lose another one. This is the second one in a year. The first was Tammy who was hit by a car crossing 41. Please keep us in your prayers.
Judy Lee
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Top Roman Catholic Theologian Supports Womenpriests
"I get the impression that the recourse to sheer power is happening because those who oppose women's ordination are losing the argument on the field of reasoning. These reasons are basically three: the example of Jesus, unbroken tradition , and the need for iconic resemblance."
Read full article on Womenpriests website:
http://www.womenpriests.org/teaching/johnson.asp
Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S. J. is professor of theology at Fordham University and author of many books such as Consider Jesus: Waves of Renewal in Christology (1992);Women, Earth and Creator Spirit (1993);
She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse (1993). Her most recent work is Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God
Read full article on Womenpriests website:
http://www.womenpriests.org/teaching/johnson.asp
Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S. J. is professor of theology at Fordham University and author of many books such as Consider Jesus: Waves of Renewal in Christology (1992);Women, Earth and Creator Spirit (1993);
She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse (1993). Her most recent work is Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God
Monday, January 12, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Meeting and Worship at Mary Mother of Jesus House Church Catholic Community
Roman Catholic Womenpriests Community Southern Regional Meeting January 2009
Janice Sevre-Duszynska (left) and Bridget Mary Meehan (right) at Siesta Key
Here we are on the Gulf Sunday evening revering the sunset amid drumming and dancing on the sugar-like sand. It was Bridget's birthday!
Janice Sevre Duszynska (left), Bridget Mary Meehan,
Judy Lee, Eleonora Marinaro (right)
met for prayer, reflection and planning for southern region on Jan. 9, 2009
Judy Lee (left) Mary Ellen Sheehan
(candidate from Atlanta in center),
Bridget Mary Meehan right
(March 2008)
Our RCWP-Southern community met on Friday. What a treat to gather in the warmth of the Sarasota sun and Bridget Mary's home. We began by singing Marsie Silvestro's "Let the women be there." We shared stories of our ministries, our needs, hopes and dreams. Spirit moving freely -- the ideas flowed. We captured them on paper. They include a home and services for homeless women and a billboard campaign for the upcoming RCWP ordination in Atlanta.
Mary, Mother of Jesus House Church Catholic Community
Celebration on the Baptism of Jesus -- Jan. 12, 2009
The Spirit revived us with Her fire as community gathered to pray, share stories of the Good News, ask for healing and celebrate Eucharist with each other. In our liturgy we remembered the Baptism of Jesus.
Holy Spirit, Breath of God,
come and light a fire of love;
love that welcomes truth and kindness,
love revealing God's embrace of all.
(from "Holy Spirit, Breath of God" by Gregory Norbert, 2007. Published by OCP).
Mary, Mother of Jesus House Church Catholic Community
celebrates Baptism of Jesus on Jan. 9, 2009
Janice Sevre-Duszynska (left) and Bridget Mary Meehan (right) at Siesta Key
Here we are on the Gulf Sunday evening revering the sunset amid drumming and dancing on the sugar-like sand. It was Bridget's birthday!
Janice Sevre Duszynska (left), Bridget Mary Meehan,
Judy Lee, Eleonora Marinaro (right)
met for prayer, reflection and planning for southern region on Jan. 9, 2009
Judy Lee (left) Mary Ellen Sheehan
(candidate from Atlanta in center),
Bridget Mary Meehan right
(March 2008)
Our RCWP-Southern community met on Friday. What a treat to gather in the warmth of the Sarasota sun and Bridget Mary's home. We began by singing Marsie Silvestro's "Let the women be there." We shared stories of our ministries, our needs, hopes and dreams. Spirit moving freely -- the ideas flowed. We captured them on paper. They include a home and services for homeless women and a billboard campaign for the upcoming RCWP ordination in Atlanta.
Mary, Mother of Jesus House Church Catholic Community
Celebration on the Baptism of Jesus -- Jan. 12, 2009
The Spirit revived us with Her fire as community gathered to pray, share stories of the Good News, ask for healing and celebrate Eucharist with each other. In our liturgy we remembered the Baptism of Jesus.
Holy Spirit, Breath of God,
come and light a fire of love;
love that welcomes truth and kindness,
love revealing God's embrace of all.
(from "Holy Spirit, Breath of God" by Gregory Norbert, 2007. Published by OCP).
Mary, Mother of Jesus House Church Catholic Community
celebrates Baptism of Jesus on Jan. 9, 2009
Roman Catholic Womanpriest: Janice Sevre-Duszynska: War Devastating to Vast Majority of Iraqis
Janice Sevre-Duszynska wrote this Op.Ed. that appeared in the Lexington Herald Leader on January 12, 2209
"....Women have been systematically attacked by theocratic militias on both sides of the sectarian divide, but the most widespread violence has been committed by the Shiite militias affiliated with the U.S.-backed government -- the Badr Brigade and the Mahdi Army. These groups have waged their campaign of terror against women with weapons, training and money provided by the U.S...."
http://www.kentucky.com/589/story/654799.html
"....Women have been systematically attacked by theocratic militias on both sides of the sectarian divide, but the most widespread violence has been committed by the Shiite militias affiliated with the U.S.-backed government -- the Badr Brigade and the Mahdi Army. These groups have waged their campaign of terror against women with weapons, training and money provided by the U.S...."
http://www.kentucky.com/589/story/654799.html
Friday, January 9, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Support Us. Empower Communities. Live Gospel-Equality.
(left to right)
Janice Sevre-Duszynska, Bridget Mary Meehan, Judy lee, Eleonora Marinaro
Janice Sevre-Duszynska(left) and Mary Ellen Sheehan (right)
Dear Community of Supporters,
As Roman Catholic Womenpriests in the South grow, we invite you to partner with us on our journey to a renewed priestly ministry united with the people with whom we serve.
The Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement is an initiative within the Church that began with the ordination of seven women on the Danube River in 2002. Reclaiming our ancient spiritual heritage, womenpriests are shaping a more inclusive, Christ-centered Church of equals in the twenty-first century. Women bishops ordained in full apostolic succession continue to carry on the work of ordaining others in the Roman Catholic Church. We are rooted in a response to Jesus who called women and men to be disciples and equals living the Gospel.
We invite you to support our movement in the southern region with your prayers and financial gifts. Some of our current needs are:
-ordination expenses including the upcoming episcopal consecrations, and support of candidates with limited resources
-a billboard in a location close to our next ordination site in the Atlanta area. We plan to use a colorful graphic of women in the early church celebrating Eucharist. The message will read Roman Catholic Womenpriests reclaiming our ancient heritage and include our web site.
-resources including a house for homeless women in southwest Florida. As part of our work for gender justice and equality, we plan to help raise funds to support this outreach of Good Shepherd Ministries SWFL,Inc. (a non-profit ) Roman Catholic Womanpriest Judy Lee, serves in this inclusive, interfaith ministry
We appreciate your generosity. Send your check or money payable to Roman Catholic Womenpriests, Inc. and please write "Southern Region" in the memo section of your check.
Mail to:
RCWP USA/ for Southern region
3311 Rancho Miguel Rd.
Jamul, California 91935
Email sofiabmm@aol.com or call 703-505-0004 for more information and to inform of us of your donation so that we can express our personal thanks.
Roman Catholic Womenpriests-South :
Janice Sevre-Duszynska, Justice and Peace Activist, Lexington, Kentucky, rhythmsofthedance@msn.com
Judy Lee, Ministry to the Homeless, Ft. Myers, Florida, judyabl@embarqmail.com
Eleonora Marinaro, Healing Prayer and Spiritual Direction, Port Richey, Florida ,elly@helpwithdreams.com
Mary Ellen Sheehan, Ordinand, Special Education, Caregiver, Atlanta, Georgia,sheehanme@earthlink.net
Bridget Mary Meehan, Bishop Elect, Pastor of Mary, Mother of Jesus House Church , sofiabmm@aol.com
941-955-2313, 703-671-6712
Visit our web site: http://www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org/
RCWP-USA promotes and supports the ordination of women and men in renewed priestly ministry in the Roman Catholic Church. Every ministry convened by a Roman Catholic Woman Priest operates separately and independently from the RCWP-USA, Inc. non-profit.)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Preparing for Retreat in Southern Region
Roman Catholic Womenpriests in the southern region of the United States will meet tomorrow for a day of reflection, sharing, and planning.
As I prepare for our time together, my prayer is that
we see everyone and everything with God's eyes and then choose to love all with God's heart. As we serve the people of God in a renewed priestly ministry, may we set on fire a new Pentecost!!
Bridget Mary Meehan
As I prepare for our time together, my prayer is that
we see everyone and everything with God's eyes and then choose to love all with God's heart. As we serve the people of God in a renewed priestly ministry, may we set on fire a new Pentecost!!
Bridget Mary Meehan
Monday, January 5, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Jack Duffy's Letter to Editor Published in Sarasota Herald Tribune
Jack Duffy (navy blue) seated next to Helen, his wife at Mary, Mother of Jesus liturgy
Jack Duffy, one of our leaders from Mary, Mother of Jesus House Church Catholic Community wrote this letter to the editor which was published in the paper. It is important that we speak truth to power. Thank you Jack for your prophetic words to our institutional church calling for accountability, transparency and a return of focus to the healing and compassionate love of Christ for all.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090103/LETTERS/901030316/2163/OPINION?Title=Church_fails_to_create_transparency
Jack responded to this article.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081230/ARTICLE/812300346
Friday, January 2, 2009
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: A renewed priestly ministry that cannot be stopped
When God calls us , (and I believe that the equality of women in our church is the voice of God in our time),to renew our beloved Roman Catholic Church, God opens a door that cannot be closed. This is my prayer for 2009!
Bridget Mary Meehan
Roman Catholic Womanpriest
A Blessed New Year
Dad and I are thankful for the many blessings we have received and offer our sincere wishes for a blessed New Year for all.
Bridget Mary and Jack Meehan
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Article About Self-Excommunication by Robert Schutzius
ARCC spot LIGHT (analysis of Church issues offered by the ARCC Publications Committee, R. Schutzius, ed.)
What Every Roman Catholic Should Know about Self-Excommunication
Most Catholics are familiar with Excommunication. It is a penalty imposed by Church authorities for having done serious things like abortions, heresies, schisms, and other crimes. The purpose is to seek repentance and protect the faithful. In days gone by it could be deadly as now-canonized saints like St. Joan of Arc, learned the hard way. The two general types are a) AUTOMATIC - the kind that happens just by doing the deed, and b) IMPOSED - the kind that needs to be issued, publically or secretly, by some Church official.
New on the Excommunication scene is the concept of Self-Excommunication (SEx) whereby one excommunicates oneself. There are apparently two different types of SEx:
a) Self Excommunication in the External Forum (SEx-EF) which occurs when a Church official declares that you have excommunicated yourself (even without your knowledge) or after a certain time period (30 days), and
b) Self Excommunication in the Internal Forum (SEx-IF) whereby one excommunicates oneself by doing or believing the same thing as those who have been self excommunicated in the External Forum (SEx-EF). This latter category, (SEx-IF), can be further divided into:
ACTIVE (SEx-IF-Active) which includes those Catholics who are still active in the Church but support such things as the ordination of women, birth control, same sex unions, stemcell research, in-vitro fertilization, Obama for President, shared control of Church property, and more recently, active support for child sex-abuse victims (others to be added later), and
PASSIVE (SEx-IF-Passive) which includes those Catholics who have just passively left the Church and moved on. (The third largest group of Christians in the US).
The above is offered as an observed description of this phenomenon and is not in any way official. A preliminary search finds no official reference in Church Law nor in past documents that deal directly with this, a gap soon to be filled no doubt by the Catholic media. Practically speaking, there is not much defense against the SEx-EF except to repent quickly if possible. Those who fall into the SEx-IF-Active category would be well advise to keep a low profile and avoid going public, until such time as the Spirit calls you to be a more prophetic Christian.
It is obvious to many that our Church is in serious trouble, and that such machinations are only attempts to avoid the inevitable need for reform through accountability, openness, and participation of all. Please pray that the loving Spirit of God who dwells amongst us will prevail and help our poor Church.
REMEMBERING THE WOMEN (This book has the following alternate Sunday readings.)
Jan. 4 - Epiphany 1 Kings 10:1-13, Matt 2:1-12
Jan 11 - Baptism Judith 13:18-20
Support for The Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) is greatly appreciated.
Circulate freely with source acknowledged. Comments welcomed rschutz1@prodigy.net or 1-877-700-ARCC (2722).
What Every Roman Catholic Should Know about Self-Excommunication
Most Catholics are familiar with Excommunication. It is a penalty imposed by Church authorities for having done serious things like abortions, heresies, schisms, and other crimes. The purpose is to seek repentance and protect the faithful. In days gone by it could be deadly as now-canonized saints like St. Joan of Arc, learned the hard way. The two general types are a) AUTOMATIC - the kind that happens just by doing the deed, and b) IMPOSED - the kind that needs to be issued, publically or secretly, by some Church official.
New on the Excommunication scene is the concept of Self-Excommunication (SEx) whereby one excommunicates oneself. There are apparently two different types of SEx:
a) Self Excommunication in the External Forum (SEx-EF) which occurs when a Church official declares that you have excommunicated yourself (even without your knowledge) or after a certain time period (30 days), and
b) Self Excommunication in the Internal Forum (SEx-IF) whereby one excommunicates oneself by doing or believing the same thing as those who have been self excommunicated in the External Forum (SEx-EF). This latter category, (SEx-IF), can be further divided into:
ACTIVE (SEx-IF-Active) which includes those Catholics who are still active in the Church but support such things as the ordination of women, birth control, same sex unions, stemcell research, in-vitro fertilization, Obama for President, shared control of Church property, and more recently, active support for child sex-abuse victims (others to be added later), and
PASSIVE (SEx-IF-Passive) which includes those Catholics who have just passively left the Church and moved on. (The third largest group of Christians in the US).
The above is offered as an observed description of this phenomenon and is not in any way official. A preliminary search finds no official reference in Church Law nor in past documents that deal directly with this, a gap soon to be filled no doubt by the Catholic media. Practically speaking, there is not much defense against the SEx-EF except to repent quickly if possible. Those who fall into the SEx-IF-Active category would be well advise to keep a low profile and avoid going public, until such time as the Spirit calls you to be a more prophetic Christian.
It is obvious to many that our Church is in serious trouble, and that such machinations are only attempts to avoid the inevitable need for reform through accountability, openness, and participation of all. Please pray that the loving Spirit of God who dwells amongst us will prevail and help our poor Church.
REMEMBERING THE WOMEN (This book has the following alternate Sunday readings.)
Jan. 4 - Epiphany 1 Kings 10:1-13, Matt 2:1-12
Jan 11 - Baptism Judith 13:18-20
Support for The Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) is greatly appreciated.
Circulate freely with source acknowledged. Comments welcomed rschutz1@prodigy.net or 1-877-700-ARCC (2722).
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: WWL Radio Interview with Bridget Mary Meehan and Link to Pontification Blog by David Gibson
WWL Radio Interview in Louisiana
9:10am Bridget Mary Meehan...
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 Guest host Don Dubuc and Monica talk to Bridget Mary Meehan, National Spokesperson for Roman Catholic Women Priests (and a priest herself), about the Louisiana priest who is risking excommunication because he believes women should be ordained.
http://audio.wwl.com/m/audio/21422816/11-14-9-10am-bridget-mary-meehan.htm?pageid=59313
Pontifications by David Gibson
"The blowback certainly hasn't died down, and today more than 100 nuns from 22 religious congregations released a letter to the Vatican protesting the threatened excommunication of Bourgeois. The letter was organized by the National Coalition of American Nuns (NCAN)."
http://blog.beliefnet.com/pontifications/2008/12/us-to-nuns-to-vatican-we-suppo.html
9:10am Bridget Mary Meehan...
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 Guest host Don Dubuc and Monica talk to Bridget Mary Meehan, National Spokesperson for Roman Catholic Women Priests (and a priest herself), about the Louisiana priest who is risking excommunication because he believes women should be ordained.
http://audio.wwl.com/m/audio/21422816/11-14-9-10am-bridget-mary-meehan.htm?pageid=59313
Pontifications by David Gibson
"The blowback certainly hasn't died down, and today more than 100 nuns from 22 religious congregations released a letter to the Vatican protesting the threatened excommunication of Bourgeois. The letter was organized by the National Coalition of American Nuns (NCAN)."
http://blog.beliefnet.com/pontifications/2008/12/us-to-nuns-to-vatican-we-suppo.html
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Excommunication ("sort of") of Fr. Roy Bourgeois by Canon Lawyer Fr. Tom Doyle
There is an excellent reflection by Fr. Tom Doyle on the excommunication ("sort of")of Fr. Roy Bourgeois in the current issue of ARCC Light.
http://arcc-catholic-rights.net/tom_doyle_on_bourgeois.htm
http://arcc-catholic-rights.net/tom_doyle_on_bourgeois.htm
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Mary, Mother of Jesus Christmas Eve Liturgy/ Celebration
A Joyous Celebration of Christmas in Mary, Mother of Jesus Catholic House Church in Sarasota, Florida
On Dec. 24, 2008 our community celebrated the birth of Christ with enthusiastic worship and full participation in a lively gathering which included two presiders: Michael Rigdon, a married priest and Bridget Mary Meehan, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest and serveral visitors including a family from Michigan. The teens in this family shared their gifts in technology, operating the digital camera and music systmes. Special thanks to Aubrey who took this footage, Colette , her sister, is responsible for the digital stills. (soon to follow)
Sheila Carey shared her gift of liturgical dance (in the inspiring act of worship in honor of Mary, Mother of Jesus, that you will see in the clip below.www.sheilacarey.com
Sheila hopes that viewing Sacred Dance will lift thiose watching to prayer with their God.
Jack Meehan, our minister of music, played carols on the sax and trumpet. In our dialogue homily we shared our journey to birth Christ in our world. All of us are called to be, like Mary, "mothers of God."
Like the women and men in the early Christian house churches, our liturgy was held in the context of a meal. After our eucharist, we continued to celebrate with a festive supper of Irish chowder, brown bread, korn bread, and tea.
Jack Meehan, our minister of music, played carols on the sax and trumpet. In our dialogue homily we shared our journey to birth Christ in our world. All of us are called to be, like Mary, "mothers of God."
Like the women and men in the early Christian house churches, our liturgy was held in the context of a meal. After our eucharist, we continued to celebrate with a festive supper of Irish chowder, brown bread, korn bread, and tea.
Clip of Liturgical Dance;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3KQz1LbxLQ&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3KQz1LbxLQ&feature=channel_page
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
O Emmanuel 23 Dec.
*(O) Emmanuel...our Guide and Source of All Law ,the One that ev'ry land is longing for,O Saving One once promised to the house of Israel,Come! and save us ! Be our Christ, our God!*/
My Dear Friends and Colleagues, Sisters and Brothers,Blessed peace...and rest...and quiet...be with you this day...and this night!Now our time of watching in the fertile, but sometimes frightening, darkness of night is drawing gently to a close. We slowly begin to taste and savor the continuing fulfillment of the promise in the person of the Promised One, Emmanuel, The Christ, who has been guiding our hearts and minds through the fecund wilderness of Advent.We have longed for the radiance of Emmanuel, who comes bearing gifts to the gift bearers, to shine upon us and within us. We have longed for the Source of All Law to hand us anew the light of the pure Law of Love. This sacred Law of Love flows from the heart of God into our hearts and seeks to fill us to overflowing, desiring beyond all desire to be our rule and our guide...so that in, with and through The Christ, in the unity of the Spirit, we become great lovers of God, of one another and of all creation.Emmanuel waits for us...and waits within us...for us to give the gift of receiving the gift, in surrender to Love's enfolding embrace. We follow now the star to all the places and hearts where Love waits to love and to be loved. There we will find Emmanuel; and there, as we adore The Christ, we will become mirrors of Emmanuel among our brothers and sisters.May it be so.Thank you for being both sign and presence of Emmanuel to me.
With love as Advent draws softly to a close,
Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP-USA
My Dear Friends and Colleagues, Sisters and Brothers,Blessed peace...and rest...and quiet...be with you this day...and this night!Now our time of watching in the fertile, but sometimes frightening, darkness of night is drawing gently to a close. We slowly begin to taste and savor the continuing fulfillment of the promise in the person of the Promised One, Emmanuel, The Christ, who has been guiding our hearts and minds through the fecund wilderness of Advent.We have longed for the radiance of Emmanuel, who comes bearing gifts to the gift bearers, to shine upon us and within us. We have longed for the Source of All Law to hand us anew the light of the pure Law of Love. This sacred Law of Love flows from the heart of God into our hearts and seeks to fill us to overflowing, desiring beyond all desire to be our rule and our guide...so that in, with and through The Christ, in the unity of the Spirit, we become great lovers of God, of one another and of all creation.Emmanuel waits for us...and waits within us...for us to give the gift of receiving the gift, in surrender to Love's enfolding embrace. We follow now the star to all the places and hearts where Love waits to love and to be loved. There we will find Emmanuel; and there, as we adore The Christ, we will become mirrors of Emmanuel among our brothers and sisters.May it be so.Thank you for being both sign and presence of Emmanuel to me.
With love as Advent draws softly to a close,
Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP-USA
Roman Catholic Womenpriests: More NCR articles on Maryknoll priest Roy Bourgeois and Quote from Bishop Gumbleton's homily
Ordination of Janice Sevre-Duszynska Fr. Roy co-celebrates liturgy, Bishop Dana Reynolds in red vestments, Janice on right, Bridget Mary Meehan, next to Roy on left. and Ree Hudson on far right)Bourgeois has long drawn inspiration from women
By LINDA COOPER AND JAMES HODGE
Published: December 23, 2008
By LINDA COOPER AND JAMES HODGE
Published: December 23, 2008
http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/2945
Humbled by the torrent of support he’s received after refusing to disavow his belief that God calls women to the priesthood.
Humbled by the torrent of support he’s received after refusing to disavow his belief that God calls women to the priesthood.
(Quote from Bishop Gumbleton's homily at Jane Donovan Peace Center, Philadelphia, Pa.)
"We are aware that our church is lacking in ministers, those who can speak prophetically in our public liturgy, those who can be pastoral leaders in our communities. But they are available and Father Roy has made the plea and a public statement through his action by being present at the ordination of a woman, and has urged our church and proclaimed to our church, “Go back to the beginning” when house churches -- places like we are assembled here today in a home with a small community gathered -- were led, we learned from the letters of Paul, the Acts of the Apostles, by women.
We must open ourselves to this reality, take us back to the beginning, so that we flourish in the church with new ministers, ministers who can be that prophetic voice as these women were in the beginning..."
We must open ourselves to this reality, take us back to the beginning, so that we flourish in the church with new ministers, ministers who can be that prophetic voice as these women were in the beginning..."
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sixth O Antiphon
Sovereign of all the Nations...and Desired One of all,the Cornerstone that binds the two in one,you fashion us from out of clay, we live among the poor:Come! and save the ones who wait for you!*
/My Beloved Sisters and Brothers,Greetings of Peace!
Now, with this sixth O Antiphon, we increasingly are aware that our Light, The Christ, already present...also continues to come to save us.And so we wait with hope, trust and expectation...and as we wait, we keep watch in the night, the night fertile with promise, seeking that first and early glimpse of the breaking light that is sure to come...not a moment too soon, not a moment too late.We have been waiting together in the spacious union of our hearts this Advent Season...and may that be the space in which the Light shines most brightly. It is the space between us and among us that holds us and makes us one, binding us together in the Love of Christ, fashioning us into the image of The Christ, creating us into The Christas and The Christos, to walk among the poor and learn of God.The lessons taught us by the poor, whether poor in spirit or poor in earthly goods...yes, the poor themselves...light our pathways as we journey toward harmony and peace among the nations, beginning with peace in our own hearts.Blessed be the One whom we desire, the One whose heart we seek...Blessed be the Desired One of all...the One sought by seekers and by those who do not know they seek. Blessed be the Light that is breaking forth.With prayerful love,
Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP-USA
/My Beloved Sisters and Brothers,Greetings of Peace!
Now, with this sixth O Antiphon, we increasingly are aware that our Light, The Christ, already present...also continues to come to save us.And so we wait with hope, trust and expectation...and as we wait, we keep watch in the night, the night fertile with promise, seeking that first and early glimpse of the breaking light that is sure to come...not a moment too soon, not a moment too late.We have been waiting together in the spacious union of our hearts this Advent Season...and may that be the space in which the Light shines most brightly. It is the space between us and among us that holds us and makes us one, binding us together in the Love of Christ, fashioning us into the image of The Christ, creating us into The Christas and The Christos, to walk among the poor and learn of God.The lessons taught us by the poor, whether poor in spirit or poor in earthly goods...yes, the poor themselves...light our pathways as we journey toward harmony and peace among the nations, beginning with peace in our own hearts.Blessed be the One whom we desire, the One whose heart we seek...Blessed be the Desired One of all...the One sought by seekers and by those who do not know they seek. Blessed be the Light that is breaking forth.With prayerful love,
Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP-USA
Sunday, December 21, 2008
O Antiphon for Fourth Sunday of Advent
*O Rising Dawn...and radiance of the light that never ends,O Sun of Justice shining for the world,our days are filled with terror, we are frightened by the night:Come! and chase the shadows from the dark!*
/My Dear Brothers and Sisters on the Holy Road of Advent to Christmas,
Peace on this Winter Solstice Day, on this Fourth Sunday of Advent, on what was once known in ancient times as the First Day of Christmas!
Lighting my Advent wreath at 4:00 a.m. this day, I had a sense of the increasing presence of light, of the Rising Dawn and of the Sun of Justice, both of whom today's O Antiphon sings. I felt the warmth of Light shining in many darknesses...my own, the local corner of the world, RCWP, the Vatican, territories and nations, across the mountains and valleys and deserts of this earth...springing forth from and returning to the ever recreating cosmos found in the heart of God...in a never ending cycle.Light is victorious, accomplishing what it is created to do...yet it requires of us the courage to see through its eyes, to walk by its light. In our seeing, we are invited to walk by meeting the challenge to become light, to be the light we are, and to shine in the darkness of the terrors and fears of our brothers and sisters in, with, and through whom we serve.As vessels of Light, immersed and bathed in The Light, in The Christ, we dare to dream the dreams of God, even to invite God to dream through us, and by grace to live into the vision shining on our pathways. May it be so! Yes! Amen! We are ready!
With prayerful love,Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP-USA__._,_.___
/My Dear Brothers and Sisters on the Holy Road of Advent to Christmas,
Peace on this Winter Solstice Day, on this Fourth Sunday of Advent, on what was once known in ancient times as the First Day of Christmas!
Lighting my Advent wreath at 4:00 a.m. this day, I had a sense of the increasing presence of light, of the Rising Dawn and of the Sun of Justice, both of whom today's O Antiphon sings. I felt the warmth of Light shining in many darknesses...my own, the local corner of the world, RCWP, the Vatican, territories and nations, across the mountains and valleys and deserts of this earth...springing forth from and returning to the ever recreating cosmos found in the heart of God...in a never ending cycle.Light is victorious, accomplishing what it is created to do...yet it requires of us the courage to see through its eyes, to walk by its light. In our seeing, we are invited to walk by meeting the challenge to become light, to be the light we are, and to shine in the darkness of the terrors and fears of our brothers and sisters in, with, and through whom we serve.As vessels of Light, immersed and bathed in The Light, in The Christ, we dare to dream the dreams of God, even to invite God to dream through us, and by grace to live into the vision shining on our pathways. May it be so! Yes! Amen! We are ready!
With prayerful love,Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP-USA__._,_.___
Google News Alerts for Roman Catholic Womenpriests
Gloria Carpeneto in the middle, Judy Lee on left and Gabriella Velardi Ward on the right at Boston ordinations 2008
Andrea Johnson (second from right) Patricia Fresen in middle, Eleonora Marinaro, Bridget Mary Meehan at New York ordinations 2007From Google News Alerts
in Baltimore newspapers:
Roman Catholic Womenpriests
Stained-glass ceiling
Stained-glass ceiling
Baltimore Sun - Baltimore,MD,USA
"In the United States, 33 women have been ordained as priests, six as deacons and one as a bishop, according to Roman Catholic Womenpriests"...
Baltimore Examiner - Baltimore,MD,USA
"There are Roman Catholic bishops in good standing with the Vatican in ... said she was ordained earlier this year in Boston by Roman Catholic Womenpriests, ...
Saturday, December 20, 2008
O Antiphon for 20th day of December 2008
/*O Key of David...scepter of the house of Israel,you open and you close without contest.To us who sit in darkness and the shadow of the grave,Come! unlock our prisons and our chains.*/My Dear Sisters and Brothers,Peace be with you this 20th day of December 2008
!It has been written that when God opens a door, no one can close it; and when God closes a door, no one can open it.Thus the Key of David, The Christ, without contest closes and opens doors to shepherd us and free us along our spiritual pathways.Closing the door of complacency and ignorance...Christ leads us instead through the gates of fruitful wisdom.Closing the door of worry and anxiety...Christ leads us instead through the gates of inner peace and trust.Closing the door of self-will...Christ leads us instead though the gates of true obedience, the surrender to Love.Opening the door of the prison of non forgiveness...Christ sends us forth to be reconciled in peace with ourselves and with one another.Opening the door of the prison of isolation...Christ sends us forth to taste communion with self, one another and the Spirit.Opening the door of the prison of fear...Christ sends us forth to love and to be loved without measure.May we with gratitude and thanks accept the closing of doors so that we might discern and discover new directions.May we accept the grace given us to recognize and enter the doors that stand open within the heart of God so that we might know freedom from darkness and walk as Children of the Light.Blessed be God forever!
With love and kind thoughts of you,Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP USA
!It has been written that when God opens a door, no one can close it; and when God closes a door, no one can open it.Thus the Key of David, The Christ, without contest closes and opens doors to shepherd us and free us along our spiritual pathways.Closing the door of complacency and ignorance...Christ leads us instead through the gates of fruitful wisdom.Closing the door of worry and anxiety...Christ leads us instead through the gates of inner peace and trust.Closing the door of self-will...Christ leads us instead though the gates of true obedience, the surrender to Love.Opening the door of the prison of non forgiveness...Christ sends us forth to be reconciled in peace with ourselves and with one another.Opening the door of the prison of isolation...Christ sends us forth to taste communion with self, one another and the Spirit.Opening the door of the prison of fear...Christ sends us forth to love and to be loved without measure.May we with gratitude and thanks accept the closing of doors so that we might discern and discover new directions.May we accept the grace given us to recognize and enter the doors that stand open within the heart of God so that we might know freedom from darkness and walk as Children of the Light.Blessed be God forever!
With love and kind thoughts of you,Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP USA
Catholic Church Moves to Excommuniae Priest-Sexism in the Catholic Church: Letter to Editor by Tom Hill, Olympia
December 18, 2008Catholic Church moves to excommunicate priest (Original title was Sexism in the Catholic Church)
Sexism, like racism, often is right before our eyes and we fail to recognize it or chose to ignore it.Many will not recognize sexism in the case of Father Roy Bourgeois, a Maryknoll priest of more than 36 years who is about to be excommunicated by the Vatican because he gave a homily at the ordination of a woman to the Roman Catholic priesthood last August.Rome is against the ordination of women even though the pope's own Pontifical Biblical Commission could find no scriptural reason for denying women the right to all seven church sacraments. Then in the tradition of men unable to formulate a reasonable theological argument against women's ordination, Catholics have been told the matter is not open for discussion.Most incredible is how quickly Rome reacted to Father Bourgeois' public support of women's ordination. Rome took less than three months to threaten this brave priest with the church's most severe punishment for confronting the sexist position that women are not good enough to serve God's people in an ordained capacity.Only three months! It has taken Rome years to react to predator priests in our church and not one of these criminal priests (or bishops) has been threatened with excommunication.Sexism will continue in the Catholic Church as long as we Catholics ignore what is happening and continue to support this bad behavior.
(Edited out of the original letter: Try sending your weekly tithe to a Catholic reform group and see how long it takes Rome to react to that one!)Tom Hill, Olympia
Sexism, like racism, often is right before our eyes and we fail to recognize it or chose to ignore it.Many will not recognize sexism in the case of Father Roy Bourgeois, a Maryknoll priest of more than 36 years who is about to be excommunicated by the Vatican because he gave a homily at the ordination of a woman to the Roman Catholic priesthood last August.Rome is against the ordination of women even though the pope's own Pontifical Biblical Commission could find no scriptural reason for denying women the right to all seven church sacraments. Then in the tradition of men unable to formulate a reasonable theological argument against women's ordination, Catholics have been told the matter is not open for discussion.Most incredible is how quickly Rome reacted to Father Bourgeois' public support of women's ordination. Rome took less than three months to threaten this brave priest with the church's most severe punishment for confronting the sexist position that women are not good enough to serve God's people in an ordained capacity.Only three months! It has taken Rome years to react to predator priests in our church and not one of these criminal priests (or bishops) has been threatened with excommunication.Sexism will continue in the Catholic Church as long as we Catholics ignore what is happening and continue to support this bad behavior.
(Edited out of the original letter: Try sending your weekly tithe to a Catholic reform group and see how long it takes Rome to react to that one!)Tom Hill, Olympia
Friday, December 19, 2008
Roman Catholic Womanpriest, Olivia Doko, shares Third O Antiphon
/*O Root of Jesse...standing as a sign to all the world,
before you ev'ry ruler silent bows,
and to you ev'ry nation will one day return for help.
Come! and save us, we can wait no more!
*/
My Dearly Loved Sisters and Brothers,
Peace this Third O Antiphon Day!
Ringing in the ears of my heart as well as in the ears of my mind is the
word "root". The Christ was and remains deeply rooted in God, inviting
us into a silent awareness of our rootedness in, with and through him,
our beloved brother.
How many false roots of ego, sown in the darkness of our ignorance of
the Light, are we invited to uproot, first of all in ourselves, in order
to stand as the signs to all the world we have been created to be? How
willing are we to return to the taproot, The Christ, for help and
recreation?
So often we are busy saving the world, saving the Church, saving
others. Yet the greatest gift we can give to all, to and with whom we
are called by God, is first to allow ourselves to be saved from our
false selves so that we might come home to our true selves, and thereby
help show others the way.
Indeed, in openness may we pray, "come and save us...we can wait no more!"
With love at Advent and always,
Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP-USA
before you ev'ry ruler silent bows,
and to you ev'ry nation will one day return for help.
Come! and save us, we can wait no more!
*/
My Dearly Loved Sisters and Brothers,
Peace this Third O Antiphon Day!
Ringing in the ears of my heart as well as in the ears of my mind is the
word "root". The Christ was and remains deeply rooted in God, inviting
us into a silent awareness of our rootedness in, with and through him,
our beloved brother.
How many false roots of ego, sown in the darkness of our ignorance of
the Light, are we invited to uproot, first of all in ourselves, in order
to stand as the signs to all the world we have been created to be? How
willing are we to return to the taproot, The Christ, for help and
recreation?
So often we are busy saving the world, saving the Church, saving
others. Yet the greatest gift we can give to all, to and with whom we
are called by God, is first to allow ourselves to be saved from our
false selves so that we might come home to our true selves, and thereby
help show others the way.
Indeed, in openness may we pray, "come and save us...we can wait no more!"
With love at Advent and always,
Olivia of the Western Region - RCWP-USA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)