Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Article on Blog about women priests and feminism

http://spirituallemons.blogspot.com/2009/12/religious-feminism.html

"However, it seems that the Spirit is calling women anyway. World-wide there are over 100 Roman Catholic (RC) women ordained under the auspices of RCWP (Roman Catholic Women Priests) and more in the process.They are forming communities; they are ordained from both canonical and non-canonical communities; their bishops are pastoral not administrative; they utilize a consensus model of decision-making and democratic processes. "Our goal is a new model of ordained ministry in a renewing Roman Catholic Church," according to Bridget Mary Meehan, Bishop of Southern Region, RCWP, former Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister. "

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Article by Author James Carroll on Church's rightward turn

Does God Hate the Kennedys
by James Carroll
November 28, 2009

"How reactionary has the Catholic hierarchy become? Let me count the ways:
• Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence “respectfully” tells Congressman Patrick Kennedy to refrain from receiving communion, a harbinger of what every pro-choice or pro-gay-marriage Catholic politician faces.
• Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington threatens to cancel Catholic provision of services to the homeless and poor if the D.C. City Council passes a law giving equal rights to gays. .."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-11-28/the-vatican-goes-rogue/

Roman Catholic Womenpriests : Homily for the First Sunday of Advent-Cycle C by Roberta M. Meehan, rcwp

Homily for the First Sunday of Advent
– Cycle C –
29 November 2009
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14
1 Thessalonians 3:12 – 4:2
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

It is often said that the key to the central theme of the readings can be found in the Psalm. This is usually true. Sometimes, however, this key is a bit hidden. That is what we are faced with today – an almost hidden theme, hidden right in plain sight! Let us start by looking at the first line of the Psalm. “Your ways, O God, make known to me….” Now, that seems like a rather straight-forward verse. And, on the surface it is. We need to keep it in mind, however, as we go through the readings and try to discern what our theme is for this First Sunday of Advent. Advent should be a happy time because we already know the story. We may be waiting for Jesus – but he is already here! We have cause to rejoice. Advent is for rejoicing! Indeed, this upbeat idea fits right into today’s readings! And, this idea is in that first line of the Psalm too. “Your ways, O God, make known to me.” What are these ways and are they really joyful? Let us examine each of the readings and see. The readings are all about our learning and knowing the ways of the Lord, which is the plea of the Psalm. And each reading is up lifting and happy. In the reading from Jeremiah, God says, “The days are coming when I will fulfill the promise I made to the House of Israel and Judah….In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure.” God also promises a leader who will do all that is right and just. Those sound like rather exciting promises! Imagine the land safe and secure. Imagine not having to worry about anything that is not right or just and leaders who practice these virtues in all things. This definitely fits the plea of the Psalm. This is certainly very positive. The second reading, from the First Letter to the Thessalonians, is a direct answer to the cry of the Psalm. “May God make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…to be blameless in holiness before our God….(We) ask and exhort you…(that)…you should conduct yourselves to please God….” These are the same directives – the same ways o fGod – that are found throughout Scripture, particularly the New Testament. Definitely positive. The Gospel from Luke also answers the query about the ways of God and specifically mentions right behavior so that we are not caught by surprise. In this reading, however, the emphasis is on end times and the writing itself is almost apocalyptic in nature as it talks about signs in the skies and disruptions among nations and roaring waves and the coming of the Son of Man. Even so, we are prepared so again we have a positive and exciting message. So, if we look at a succinct overview of what we have here, we see that we are looking for the way of God. We see the promise and what will happen when God reigns in Jeremiah; we see the directives of Jesus (albeit through Paul) in Thessalonians; and we see the warnings of the end times and the coming of the Chosen One in Luke. This seems to be very much of an answer to the plea to be shown the way – right through history, from the prophets, through Jesus, to the end. And it is all there for our happiness, for our benefit. What about this first Sunday of Advent though? How does this fit – both with the theme and with the statement earlier that Advent is a time of rejoicing? Advent should be a time of excitement, of exhilaration! We know the end of the story! We know Jesus has already come! This is not a time for being morose. We are getting ready for a birthday party! Everyone know how exciting it is to prepare for a birthday party! People are happy. They are singing. They are wrapping gifts. They are decorating. Why does the church think advent must be so somber? What is wrong with Christmas Carols during Advent? Nothing, I say! We’re getting ready for a wonderful birthday party. We know the story of Advent. We know about waiting for the Messiah. Well, here in our readings today we have the whole story! We have the initial promise, the basic rules for doing what pleases God, and the final coming. What more could we ask for? Why are we glum during Advent? I have never understood that. And I am excited that this year I have heard a number of people wishing each other a “Happy Advent!” Indeed, it should be a Happy Advent!! We know the whole story! We know how the story will end for each of us individually and we know how it will end for the world. Our individual ends are in sight; the end of the world is probably several million years in the future. Regardless, we must still be prepared. And, we do have those directions. So we should rejoice. At least that old stand by “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” has the word “rejoice” in it – even if too many people do sing it like a funeral dirge! So, what is Advent really about? Advent is a reenactment of the wait for the Messiah. The Messiah is already here; Advent is a reminder, a reenactment. It is also a time for planning a birthday party. Let us rejoice that Jesus has come as promised. Let us rejoice that we know the story. Let us rejoice that we are each invited to take part in his birthday celebration. The actual wait was over 2000 years ago. Let us reenact the wait but let us do so with a sense of jubilation because he did come and he is still here among us. Oh, and have a very Happy Advent!!
Roberta M. Meehan, rcwp

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community worships at St. Andrew UCC in Sarasota, Dec.-April

http://www.marymotherofjesus.org/

Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community You are invited to celebrate inclusive Catholic Liturgy with us on Sat. evenings at 6:00pm from Dec.- April at St. Andrew UCC 6908 Beneva Rd. Sarasota, Florida 34238 We are a community of equals where all are welcome to come and celebrate God's extravagant love in our midst We are passionate about loving God living Jesus' call to Gospel equality and justice.
For more information,
email Bridget Mary at sofiabmm@aol.com
email Mike Ridgon at mikerigdon.verizon.net

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Ireland /Dublin Archdiocese Covered up child sexual abuse/Catholic Church laws facilitated cover-up by hierarchy

Dublin Archdiocese Commission Report- Links and Conclusion

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1126/Partone.pdf

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1126/Parttwo.pdf

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1126/appendices.pdf

Conclusion

"1.113 The Commission has no doubt that clerical child sexual abuse was covered up by the Archdiocese of Dublin and other Church authorities over much of the period covered by the Commission‟s remit. The structures and rules of the Catholic Church facilitated that cover-up. The State authorities facilitated the cover up by not fulfilling their responsibilities to ensure that the law was applied equally to all and allowing the Church institutions to be beyond the reach of the normal law enforcement processes. The welfare of children, which should have been the first priority, was not even a factor to be considered in the early stages. Instead the focus was on the avoidance of scandal and the preservation of the good name, status and assets of the institution and of what the institution regarded as its most important members – the priests. In the mid 1990s, a light began to be shone on the scandal and the cover up. Gradually, the story has unfolded. It is the responsibility of the State to ensure that no similar institutional immunity is ever allowed to occur again. This can be ensured only if all institutions are open to scrutiny and not accorded an exempted status by any organs of the State."

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: "Continous Communion" Reflection by Ed Hays in NCR

Continuous Communion

by Ed Hays on Nov. 25, 2009
"Life is perpetual communion. First, you are constantly in communion with your feelings, thoughts, and yourself. Further, you are endlessly in communion with others in conscious and unconscious ways...Holy Communion is more than simply another religious ritual; it is the model for and the definition of all life. So ask yourself, “Am I self-excommunicated?”"

http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/continuous-communion

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Roman Catholic Canon Law Favors Abusive Priests/Vatican Stonewalls / Irish Times Editorial and Other links/Murphy Report

"Canon law, which favors abusers over abused, has contributed in a malign way. In future, there can be no ambiguity concerning criminal acts and church cover-ups that pervert the course of justice. These offences are equally unacceptable.Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is to be commended for making diocesan files available to the commission against the wishes of his predecessor. But a studied silence by Vatican authorities and by the Apostolic Nuncio to recent requests from the Murphy commission for any additional information they might hold concerning child sexual abuse in Dublin will feed suspicion that the church remains fixated on protecting its tattered image."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/1127/1224259545409.html

Read the complete Editorial in today's Irish Times regarding the latest report
on abuse by priests in Ireland. The Murphy report itself contains grim evidence of
an appalling legacy of abuse. If you want to read the Murphy Report, you'll find the
link on the RHS of the home page http://www.justice.ie/

Bishops covered up priests child abuse
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_IRELAND_CATHOLIC_ABUSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-11-26-18-12-53

November 26, 2009

Experts: Bishops covered up priests' child abuse

By SHAWN POGATCHNIK
Associated Press Writer

EXCERPT:

"Roman Catholic Church leaders in Dublin spent decades sheltering child-abusing priests from the law and most fellow clerics turned a blind eye, an investigation ordered by Ireland's government concluded Thursday. ... investigators found, successive archbishops and their senior deputies - among them qualified lawyers - already had compiled confidential files on more than 100 parish priests who had sexually abused children since 1940. Those files had remained locked in the Dublin archbishop's private vault."

My Comment:
When will the Catholic family, the people of God, say "enough is enough"? This is our church! When will the people refuse to allow church leaders to cover up criminal activity of their clergy? When will the Irish state stop treating the Catholic church with deference?
We, the people of God, are the church. All of us are equals by our baptism.
It is our beloved family that has been torn apart by these clergy crimes and by the bishops' cover-ups.I hope the anger generated by this appalling cover-up by the Dublin hierarchy, will lead people of Ireland to a tipping point- a call to action.

What can be done?

We must change the clerical culture and empower the people of God in local communities with oversight review and decision-making power in the Roman Catholic Church. Christ calls all of us to be disciples to live the Gospel. Therefore, we are all co-responsible for the welfare of the Catholic family. In my view, it is also time to reclaim our ancient Celtic tradition of women priests and married priests in a more open, transparent, inclusive Catholic church, where all are welcome and all are accountable. Let us look to the partnership model set by St. Brigit and Bishop Conleth who co-administered the large Kildare monastic community.
Bridget Mary Meehan, rcwp
sofiabmm@aol.com
www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Support Patrick Kennedy and all Legislators Who Are Being Banned from Communion

For Immediate Release
Roman Catholic WomenPriests Support Patrick Kennedy and all Legislators Who Are Being Banned from Communion

Contact: Eileen DiFranco, East Region Administrator
267-258-6966
emdifranco@aol.com

Roman Catholic Women Priests stand on the side of all of their Roman Catholic sisters and brothers who are being denied the Eucharist by their local bishops. The Eucharist is not a weapon that should be used by anyone to punish our sisters and brothers in Christ. To deny people the Eucharist is to deny them spiritual sustenance and food for their journey. It also denigrates the Body and Blood of Christ.

Jesus directed those who would follow him to forgive seventy times seven. As he wrote the sins of the righteous in the sand, Jesus stated unequivocally, “Let the person who is without sin cast the first sin.” Jesus, the One who lived among us as our Emmanuel, does not require protection from frail human beings, all of whom have fallen short of the glory of God. It is the Word of God and not the words of the bishops that we acknowledge at Mass.

RWCP requests that the American bishops cease and desist from fatally wounding the Body of Christ. We ask all people of good will to understand that best Christian practices do not include exclusion but rather love and forgiveness.

RCWP welcomes all people to the altar of God in their respective communities. You will be welcomed with hospitality and good will. Please check our website www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org for a community near you.

Roman Catholic Womenpriest s: "Women Religious NOT complying with Vatican Study" National Catholic Reporter News

Women religious not complying with Vatican study
"There's been almost universal resistance. We are saying 'enough!' "
http://ncronline.org/news/women/women-religious-not-complying-vatican-study

Article by Tom Fox, Nov. 24, 2009
"There's been almost universal resistance," said one women religious familiar with the responses compiled by the congregation leaders. "We are saying 'enough!' In my 40 years in religious life I have never seen such unanimity."
"Some of the women interviewed by NCR cite an irony involved in the investigation. One said that it is "unlikely the Vatican wanted us to come out of this being more confident of our identity as self-defining religious agents, but that is exactly what has happened."


Bridget Mary's Comment:
The women religious stand on the prophetic edge as gutsy women, unafraid of speaking truth to power- this time to the oppressive power of the Vatican. Women religious are using their gifts to build a more just, peaceful world rooted in Gospel values-- whether or not the Vatican likes it. The people in the pews are with you! Thank you.
Bridget Mary Meehan, rcwp

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Ordination of Deacon Theresa Novak Chabot from New Hampshire on Nov. 21, 2009

In this photo, newly ordained deacon, Theresa Novak Chabot sets the table for the Eucharistic banquet.

Bishop Andrea Johnson presents new Deacon Theresa Novak Chabot to Assembly






In her homily, Bishop Andrea Johnson reflected on this historical ordination:
"This is a pivotal crossroads in Theresa’s life, and in the life of the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire. Theresa has come here to state publicly her submission to God’s call to ordination, and to offer her life in service to God’s people as an ordained minister, called forth from the community."

Roman Catholic Womenpriests :Homily by Bishop Andrea Johnson at Ordination of Theresa Novak Chabot as Deacon

Homily For Diaconal Ordination of Theresa Novak Chabot
Saturday, November 21, 2009

Andrea M. Johnson

Today is a day of great joy for all of us as we gather to witness the ordination to the order of deacon of Theresa Novak Chabot. For Theresa, it is a day of fulfillment and of affirmation of a call she has been discerning over many years of listening to the voice of God in the many experiences and people she has encountered on her journey. It is equally a day of great promise for her ministry yet to come!

This is a pivotal crossroads in Theresa’s life, and in the life of the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire. Theresa has come here to state publicly her submission to God’s call to ordination, and to offer her life in service to God’s people as an ordained minister, called forth from the community.

Theresa has carefully chosen readings from the scriptures for today’s celebration of her yes to God. Her choice of Isaiah 61 confirms for us her clear understanding of her call to serve all God’s people, especially those who are marginalized or suffering. Theresa is clear about God’s abiding presence in all of the circumstances in her own life, and she is mindful that everything that has gone before has been for a purpose – preparing her for this day – and for moving forward in service. She is grateful that she has been blessed with many gifts to share. She feels particularly blessed to be called to serve the people of New Hampshire who, as God’s people everywhere, need to be welcomed into an inclusive and nurturing Catholic community. The meaning of anointing as described in Isaiah 61 is not lost on Theresa. She affirms it as nothing less than being chosen to effect the lifting up and empowerment of people. What a blessing her ordination offers to the Catholic community in New Hampshire!

I must tell you that we in Roman Catholic Womenpriests rejoice in Theresa’s ordination as much as you do. The empowerment of God’s people, particularly the most marginalized, is what our work within the Roman Catholic Church is all about. It is our heartsong! Roman Catholic Womenpriests is about singing a new song to our God – about singing a new church into being. For many years now, many in the Roman Catholic Church have recognized that the ordained ministry in our church has lacked integrity. Many wonderful women and men have prepared themselves, and have offered their gifts of pastoral ministry. But, they have had to “color within the lines” (i.e., accept the roles pre-determined for them by a patriarchal structure that, quite frankly, has been willing to use the gifts of women without offering them a share in the full sacramental and decision-making roles that rightly belong to pastoring). Pastoral ministers in the Roman Catholic Church – women and men – have been required to fulfill their calls within the structures mandated by decision-makers who represent only the viewpoint of ordained men. The initiative called Roman Catholic Womenpriests has intervened to challenge that process! In that light, I take particular delight in Theresa’s choice of gospel reading for today’s liturgy. This stunning passage about the woman with the flow of blood is all about challenging the ground rules! Throughout the gospels, typically a story of healing by Jesus involves Jesus laying hands on people who need healing. This alone was shocking to many, especially when women were involved. But this (quote/unquote unclean) woman took the initiative. She had the audacity to touch Jesus! Note that she also took responsibility for her action! Theresa chose this gospel reading because she clearly understands that she is taking the initiative in the face of stone-walling by the Roman Catholic authorities. She is taking the initiative to say yes to God’s call. Theresa clearly understands what she is undertaking by being ordained into Roman Catholic Womenpriests. She knows that in joining RCWP, she is moving from strategy into prophetic action – from waiting for God to make her path smooth and comfortable to accepting the pilgrim’s walk on the bumpy road, with all its attendant consequences.

Like Isaiah, Theresa understands her prophetic role as empowerer of God’s people. She leads by example! Like the hemorrhaging woman, Theresa is a bold and prophetic and faith-filled initiator of God’s reign of justice and peace. As Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA, it is our joy to welcome her as a sister pilgrim on the way.

Let me close with Theresa’s own words in praise of our faithful and loving God, who never asks more of us than we can give:

Let me take the chance to climb the mountain,
beginning at the base.
I look up and cannot see the summit,
but know it is there,
For I have been called by God.

*********************

For the Spirit of God is upon me,
and I state boldly, “Here I am.”
Whatever else could I say?
I have been called by God.

Amen.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests :Fr. Roy Bourgeois, supporter of women priests, nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

(Left to Right, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, Bishop Dana Reynolds, Janice Sevre-Duszynska
on Aug. 9, 2008 at Janice's priestly ordination)
Father Roy Bourgeois and SOA Watch Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
Father Roy Bourgeois, MM, and School of the Americas Watch (SOA Watch) have been nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in the world - the Nobel Peace Prize - for their sustained faithful nonviolent witness against the disappearances, torture, and murder of hundreds of thousands of civilians (peasants, community and union organizers, clerics, missionaries, educators, and health workers) by foreign military personnel trained by the U.S. military at U.S. taxpayer expense at the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia.

The candidacy of Father Roy and SOA Watch for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize has been officially submitted to the Nobel Committee in Oslo, Norway by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The official announcement was made by AFSC representative John Meyer on Sunday, November 22 at 9am at the gates of Fort Benning (home of the School of the Americas) during the annual November vigil to close the SOA.

"We are deeply honored, and deeply humbled, to be nominated for this prize for peace," commented Bourgeois, a Vietnam veteran, Purple Heart recipient and a Catholic priest, who helped found SOA Watch. "This nomination is a recognition of the work of the thousands struggling against militarism across the Americas."

SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement that works through creative protest and resistance, legislative and grassroots media work to stand in solidarity with the people of Latin America, to close the School of the Americas (renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) and to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy that institutions like the SOA/ WHINSEC represent.

This weekend, SOA Watch is gathering by the thousands at the gates of Ft. Benning to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the killings of 14-year-old Celia Ramos, her mother Elba Ramos, and the six Jesuit priests she worked with at the Central American University in San Salvador in November 1989. Human rights defenders from Colombia and Bertha Oliva, founder of human rights organization COFADEH, Committee of Family Members of the Detained and Disappeared in Honduras, which has been actively resisting the SOA graduate-led coup as part of the resistance front.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams Confronts Pope Benedict-Would Jesus Confront Pope Benedict on women priests?

"The Vatican says its invitation came in response to pleas from Anglicans unhappy about the imminent consecration of women bishops.

Speaking after meeting the Pope, Dr Williams told Vatican Radio: 'I wanted to express some of my concerns about the way in which the announcement of the Constitution had been handled and received because clearly many Anglicans, myself included, felt thatit put us in an awkward position."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1229923/Rowan-Williams-confronts-Pope-poaching-clergy.html#ixzz0XYr7WTV8

Bridget Mary's Comment:
Pope Benedict should have apologized to Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams for the Vatican's lack of openness, dialogue and consultation. How would Pope Benedict feel if the Anglican Archbishop had swooped in and announced the conversion of Roman Catholics to the Anglican Church?
Pope Benedict should also apologize to the world's women for the Roman Catholic Church's ongoing discrimination against women priests and women bishops. I do not understand how a church, rooted in the Gospel, can act in a manner so out of sync with Jesus' example. The Risen Christ appeared first to Mary of Magdala and called her to proclaim the Good News to the male apostles. Therefore, Mary of Magdala was chosen by Christ to be the apostle to the apostles. Why doesn' the Vatican get it?
If Jesus treated women and men as equals, how can Pope Benedict justify the Roman Catholic Church's discrimination against women priest and bishops?
He can't. The good news is that mainstream Catholics are embracing Roman Catholic Womenpriests as their pastors. Why? They want a church that follows Jesus' example.
Ask yourself, would Jesus confront Pope Benedict for discriminating against women priests and bishops? It's a no-brainer! Read the Gospels. Study the tradition. For twelve hundred years, women were ordained deacons, priests and bishops. The real question is why is it taking the Roman Catholic Church so long to catch up with Jesus and its own tradition?
Bridget Mary Meehan, rcwp
sofiabmm@aol.com

Roman Catholic Womenpriests : Anglican Archbishop tells Pope: there will be no turning back on women priests"

Archbishop tells Pope: there will be no turning back on women priests
Ruth Gledhill and Richard Owen in Rome

"The Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday made his most outspoken challenge to the Roman Catholic Church since the Pope invited disaffected Anglicans to switch to Rome.
Speaking before he meets Benedict XVI tomorrow, Dr Rowan Williams told a conference in Rome that the Catholic Church’s refusal to ordain women was a bar to Christian unity."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6923807.ece

Bridget Mary Meehan's comment:
Three cheers for Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams' challenge to Pope Benedict: -women priests are here to stay! So are Roman Catholic Womenpriests here to stay! Roman Catholic Womenpriests are growing in numbers and on the move in the Roman Catholic Church. See map below indicating growth in the United States. We love our church and are working to renew it in grassroots inclusive communities where all are welcome at the table. Now wouldn't it be wonderful if more of our bishops, like Bishop Tom Gumbleton of the United States and Bishop Willie Walsh of Ireland, would advocate for women's ordination in the Roman Catholic Church. Let's pray that many bishops worldwide will take a page out of their books, and speak up as prophets for justice and equality for women in the Roman Catholic Church. After all, women are half of the population!

Article on Roman Catholic Bishops:
Bishops Try to Reassert Control of a Restive Flock
by DAVID GIBSON
BALTIMORE -- The leader of the Catholic hierarchy in the United States on Monday launched a new effort to rein in Catholic debates and dissidents and to remind the flock that the bishops will be the arbiters of what it means to be a Catholic.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/17/bishops-try-to-reassert-control-of-a-restive-flock/

Bridget Mary Meehan's Comment:
No amount of power and control tactics will stop the Holy Spirit, Bishops! Let go and let God move among the Catholic family. Ask yourselves, what would Jesus do? His harshest criticism was against the religious leaders of the time who tried to control the people of God! Our Roman Catholic Womenpriests were in Baltimore where the USCCB met this week. Some of you were fortunate enough to receive prayer cards for vocations to a renewed priestly ministry. (See story below about Suzanne Thiel, rcwp sharing Prayer for Vocations with U.S. Bishops)
All Roman Catholics are equal members of the church by their baptism. The hierarchy does not own the "franchise" or the name, "Roman Catholic". Let us pray for a deeper awareness of teachings of Vatican 11 --that the people of God are the church. The hierarchy's role is not to dominate or control the movement of the Holy Spirit within the community, but to serve as Jesus did.
We are beloved sisters and brothers. It is time for the whole Catholic family to own our identity and live our tradition. Let us be open and work together to heal the wounds of divisiveness. May we be united in prayer and loving service to God's people and follow the example of Jesus in our work for justice and equality in our world.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests : Map - Red dots represent locations of womenpriests in the U. S.

Left to right: Andrea Johnson, rcwp (bishop of Eastern region), Zemaya Jones, (representative of Living Water Inclusive Catholic Community , Catonsville, MD. woman on right, name unknown)
Roman Catholic Womenpriests and CORPUS (association of married priests) witnessed on our behalf at the recent USCCB meeting on Wednesday of this week. The red dots on the map represent all of our ordained women.
Click on photo to enlarge.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Share Our Prayer for Vocations and Map where RCWP Serve With U.S. Catholic Bishops at Meeting in Baltimore

Suzanne Thiel, rcwp, with new banner showcasing
our loving service to God's people. Click on picture to enlarge.

Left to right:Fred Ruof, a married priest, Andrea Johnson, rcwp, bishop of eastern region,
and Zemaya Jones, representing Living Waters Inclusive Catholic Community
in Catonsville, near Baltimore, MD. (co-pastors Gloria Carpeneto, rcwp and
Andrea Johnson, rcwp)
If you click on the map above, you will see red dots that indicate where there are womenpriests-led communities in the United States.


Left to right; Bill Manseau, married priest and president of
The Federation of Christian Ministries and prominent
leader in CORPUS, a married priest advocacy community,
Suzanne Thiel, rcwp, Andrea Johnson rcwp, and Zemaya Jones, ( Living Waters Inclusive Catholic Community)
Unidentified man

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 Suzanne Thiel,a Roman Catholic Womanpriest from our Western Region, distributed our Year of the Priest- Prayer for Vocations to some of the bishops who were attending the United States Catholic Bishops' meeting in Baltimore.

Suzanne was able to share the prayer cards with the bishops during their lunch break.Only one bishop responded negatively. He yelled, " wait a minute!" This did not slow down Suzanne. She continued to move from table to table, smiling graciously at each bishop as she placed the vocation prayer in his hands.

Then, on Wednesday, Nov. 18th, several representatives of Catholic renewal organizations gathered together outside the hotel including Bill Manseau, a married priest who is president of the Federation of Christian Ministries, Fred Ruof, a prominent elder and leader of justice and peace causes in the Baltimore area, Zemaya Jones, a representative from Living Waters Inclusive Catholic Community in Catonsville, Andrea Johnson, Roman Catholic Womanbishop of the Eastern region and (co-pastor with Gloria Carpeneto, rcwp of Living Waters Inclusive Catholic Comunity) and Suzanne Thiel, rcwp. They held up banners including a map with red dots indicating the states where Roman Catholic Womenpriests serve the Catholic family in the United States.
(Click on the map with red dots, to enlarge the photo and see the places in the United States where Roman Catholic Womenpriests serve)
Then at lunch time, our womenpriests, accompanied by their companions, came into the hotel, took off their coats and sat at a table near the bishops. According to one report, the male bishops practiced custody of the eyes when the women took off their coats and their clerical collars became visible!
Just in case, any bishop missed out on receiving a copy of our rcwp prayer the day before, Suzanne took one final stroll through the dining area where the bishops were seated. She was even able to catch the bishops as they left the hotel on their way to the airport! Unforgettable encounters!

I hope our bishops will join us in the prayer for vocations and "practice the equality that Jesus modeled to embrace all women and men whom you have gifted for sacramental ministry."
On one side of our vocation prayer is the text below. On the other side of our vocation prayer is a colorful collage of pictures depicting Roman Catholic Womenpriests serving the people of God (similar to banner above) that is entitled:

Ordained Women are serving the People of God.

If you want this prayer for your local parish, diocese, or community, contact Suzanne Thiel at suzthiel@yahoo.com,

Year of the Priest
Roman Catholic Womenpriests' Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood

Ever present God; open the hearts and minds of all people,
and inspire us to use the unique gifts you have given us for loving service to each other.
We pray especially now, for those women whose gifts are best suited to serve your Church as ordained priests.
Empower them with the courage as they answer your call and strengthen them for humble service, great compassion, and insightful wisdom.
Support them through their ministries and enlighten the leadership of your Church to practice the equality that Jesus modeled to embrace all women and men whom you have gifted for sacramental service.
Strengthen your Holy Spirit within those you have chosen for priestly ministry.
May they answer your call and follow with generous hearts.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, who called Mary Magdalene and Phoebe- as well as Peter and Paul- to be ministers in the early Christian communities. Amen.

www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

Bridget Mary Meehan, rcwp

Roman Catholic Womenpriests : "RCWP: A Renewed Model of Ordained Ministry in a Renewed Church" by Dr. Patricia Fresen

Bishop Patricia Fresen was one of the women bishops ordained by
a male Roman Catholic bishop with apostolic succession. He told Patricia
that he ordained her to promote justice for women in the church.

RCWP: A RENEWED MODEL OF ORDAINED MINISTRY

IN A RENEWED CHURCH

(Patricia Fresen)

This renewed model of ordained ministry is part of the great post-modern paradigm-shift in which the earth, the world and the church are involved.

As the church changes, we need a model of ministry that fits into the model towards which the church is being led. The people of God are moving ahead of the official church in this regard, towards a church of the people rather than a clerical church. Therefore we in RCWP try to avoid clericalism. We do not want to join the “clerical caste” with the negative implications of this. So we cherish a community-based, inclusive model of servant-leadership. This implies simplicity in vestments and liturgical vessels, and also in our attitudes and behaviour. We are called to be women and men of prayer, building into our lives regular times of prayer, reflection and contemplation as well as times of retreat, individual and communal.

Principles:

1. A reflective, contemplative lifestyle which seeks to follow, in prophetic

obedience, where the Spirit leads. We do this individually and together.

2. Servant leadership: empowerment, rather than domination & control

(both within RCWP and in pastoral ministry and relationships).

3. Communitarian rather than hierarchical structures. Leadership elected

by community and constitution written by community.

4. No mandatory celibacy.

5. Inclusiveness: re gender, sexual orientation, other church traditions.

(We try to be consciously ecumenically inclusive at ordinations and

whenever possible. We also include within our RCWP regions, people who are supportive even if they have no intention of ever being ordained, or are already priests.)

6. Separation of administrative and sacramental leadership. Both elected

by community. (Regions are administered by administrator, not bishop.)

7. Accountability of all elected leaders to community (according to agreed

mandate). Financial accountability and transparency.

8. Unity in diversity, rather than uniformity. 

(This applies to our RCWP Regions, which differ from one another, but also to different countries in

 their RCWP “styles” and liturgical expression, e.g. Germany is very different from the

Netherlands and these are both different from Canada,

in the way the Regions function and in the liturgy.) 

9. Justice and human dignity.

10.We are worker-priests, in the sense of being self-supporting & financially independent of hierarchy. (Hopefully, once we are ordained and serving a community, the community will contribute something towards the priest’s income. This is arranged locally.)

11. Understanding chaos as having creative potential: interplay between

chaos and self- organization is part of organic growth.

12. Non-violence & interdependence: earth, human community, churches.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests : "Reflections of a quiet revolutionary: Ida Raming recalls the 'first days' of the movement" Interview by Lorraine Nagy

from left to right, Bishops: Christine
Mayr-Lumetzberger, Patricia Fresen,
Ida Raming at
historic U.S. ordinations of bishops)


Reflections of a quiet revolutionary : Ida Raming recalls the ‘first days’ on the occasion of the ordination of four American bishops: Santa Barbara, California April 20, 2009

Interview and recollections by Lorraine Lynch Nagy

In Santa Barbara, California an historic gathering of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests took place this year on April 19, in a quiet, rustic setting and a small chapel. Within this sacred space the first episcopal ordination within the United States, and the second in history was conducted amid joyous singing and prayer. With full liturgical splendor four women humbly accepted the signs of their calling: a Book of Gospels, ring and cross. Dana Reynolds, Womenpriests’ first American bishop, sent her blessing but was not able to preside. She and her sister bishops in the United States: Bridget Mary Meehan, Joan Houck, Andrea Johnson and Maria Regina Nicolosi have now entered a new stage in the movement, with regional representation and responsibilities for the growing cadre of candidates for the priesthood. I wonder what must have been going through the minds of the presiding bishops during this ceremony. They had come a very long way in a remarkably short time span. Christine Mayr Lumetzberger, Ida Raming and Patrician Fresen stood together at the entrance to the chapel, in readiness for what all realized to be something bigger than themselves or any of the faithful in the pews. These bishops (including Gisela Forster who remained in Germany) were the first to (in the words of the Civil Rights Spiritual) ‘wade in the waters’ of this deeply challenging issue and by doing so to ‘trouble’ the institutional church’s intransigence over who in the world may ‘image Christ’ in the sacrament of Holy Orders. From the ordination of the Danube Seven in 2002 to this ordination of four American womenpriests – now womenbishops-an epic battle has been waged, quietly and with the full weight of the magisterium pitted against the determination of revolutionaries who are equally set to remain with the Catholic Church even as they struggle by example to bring it in line with the inclusive spirit of church of Holy Scriptures. . As they lay prostate before their bishops on that warm spring afternoon in California, these four women, priests since 2005-2006 and veterans each one of them of the struggle to reform ‘from within’ one could feel the energy of a powerful transformation in the making. With this passing down of apostolic succession, a rallying cry for justice, and all of the books , meetings and lectures that prepared for this moment, were quietly transforming them, from prophets to disciples of this vision of a church in the world. . As each was called to give witness to her intention to be consecrated as bishop, the story of 2002-2003 played out in continuity for the movement and its prayerful, spirit filled protest against an unjust exclusion from the priesthood. How did this happen and why now? To answer this question one must follow the journey of those answering this call, and especially those called first. This ceremony was the culmination of thirty years of hard work, painful conflicts and profound personal sacrifices suffered in making this vision of an inclusive priesthood a reality for this generation.

What were these leaders thinking when they set off to take on the Roman Catholic Church on this issue? The many documents written in support of this reform, to include women in sacramental ministry, and the few published historical accounts beg more questions about the motivation of these leaders. In light of the impressive growth of the movement it is obvious that the Womenpriests have touched a deep chord in the religious sensibilities of the faithful. As I followed the intricate liturgy of this episcopal ordination ceremony, I was struck by what I didn’t know about ‘in the beginning’ A brief conversation with Ida Raming at the reception following the service inspired me to learn more. Ida tried to explain more details about the earliest days of their reform efforts, but we were interrupted and could not continue. Quakers use the term, “a leaning” to define moments when the Holy Spirit guides the person to say or act upon an inspiration from within the heart. I had such a ‘leaning’ the next day when I called the house where Ida was staying, and asked to speak with her. She graciously agreed to meet with me for one hour, to finish our conversation of the day before. Fortunately for me, I had the privilege of speaking at length that day with Dagmar Celeste whose experience as one of the ‘Danube Seven’ and comprehensive history of the movement steered me on the right path to getting the answers I sought. There were practical questions to raise in the privacy of guest quarters’ living room, such as how did it come about that Christine, Gisela and Ida (priests from the 2002 Danube ordination and the first to be excommunicated) were within one year approached by three male Roman Catholic bishops in full Apostolic Succession, to enter into ‘full ordination’ as bishops? Whose decision was it to take the their ordination to the next level?

Ida revealed a statement by the ordaining bishop in 2003 that may shed light on his motivation. He told her that these ordinations were part of a larger goal, not about them and their personal calling, but something more. Perhaps in the spirit of a ‘leaning’ for him, he told her, “You must have full ordination, to be able to ordain priests in apostolic succession”. By coming forward to assume this role, she was told, she would be accepting a very difficult mission, to ‘save the Church ‘which in practical terms meant returning to the practices and values of the founders. In ordaining Christine and Gisela, he passed on full power and authority (potestas) to ordain priests, establish communities of faith and nourish those living out this heart wrenching mission. In accordance with canon law, three bishops were needed to perpetuate the movement through the ordination of more womenpriests. It was simply too dangerous for him to continue to do so . Ida was approached to join the rank of bishop at this time but due to reasons of health was unable to do so. Later that same year, 2003, Patricia Fresen accepted ordination and left her Dominican order to work with Gisela in preparing the theological foundation of Womenpriests. & nbsp; Patricia was also told that this ordination was “not about you but for the Church” as she accepted the call to become the third bishop of Womenpriests. The movement then embarked on the next phase, a revolution for women by women and for the ‘good of all the church’.

For Ida, the personal connections worked hand in hand with her academic preparation to mold her image of a Roman Catholic priesthood without the barrier of gender. She understood that the roots of this idea are found in the seminal20documents of Vatican II. In addition to her dissertation, “The Priesthood of Women- God’s Gift to a Renewed Church” her concept was developed under the guidance of leading theologians ( Iris Muller among them) historians (including Dorothy Irwin) who helped her find her way from research to activism.=2 0 What, I asked, what moved you, Ida, to take the actions needed to finally ordain women as priests? Doing so would mean great losses, both personal and career, not to mention the separation from tradition, at the heart of Catholicism? The answer was surprising, as it is a story that is sometimes overlooked in the recounting of what happened between 1975 and the Danube ordination of 2002. In 1994 John Paul II decreed that women were to be permanently barred from the priesthood in that they “did not image Christ”. The irony of this statement struck Ida who knew well of the ordination of women ‘behind the wall’ in Czechoslovakia and in more modern times, the ordination of women within the Anglican Communion. She and others were convinced that women in fact and in history do ‘image Christ’ in sacrament and ministry. This inclusion of women in full sacramental priesthood was for her at the core of church tradition. Starting with the earliest disciples, many of them women, in house churches, living their faith in service to others. In the years leading up to the ordination on the Danube much was being done, to lay the foundation stones, in keeping with earliest church practices. But it was frustrating work, with many disappointments. As in the reformation of the 16 ^th century, the spark that ignited the fires of this revolution came from an academic exercise which put scholars in a direct path of opposition to a top-down clergy dominated ‘imperial’ church. For Ida, Christine and the priest candidates who would follow them, they had all had enough of “no” Once they had exhausted all channels of appeal she perceived that it was their duty to act.

As the story of her own election as bishop unfolded, Ida first reminded me of the importance to her of the Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC), starting with their first convocation in Detroit, Michigan, 1975. She recalled that WOC helped her understand that defiance of an unjust law was a divine calling. Some laws need to be broken to allow the Church to be true to its mission, given by Christ, to take people at the margins into full communion in the ‘kingdom of God’. This understating of Scripture and tradition would lead her group, known now as Roman Catholic Womenpriest s, to take the final step of ordaining women to the priesthood. The curriculum of formation, prepared by Christine, would be used to guide the first class, Ida among them. She was joined by students from the US, Canada and Europe. The Danube Seven were on their way….

Three years later, on Pentecost Monday, June 5 , 2006 Ida was ordained bishop in a private ceremony within her apartment in Stuttgart. As Christine, Gisela and Patricia followed the ancient rite that day, it was for the first time in written church history that women alone called forth a sister bishop, ‘in full apostolic succession’. Ironically, what might seem to future historians as a “Hegelian moment” was not central to Ida’s thinking or her decision to accept episcopal ordination during this Pentecost weekend. She had to think through the question, “Did you realize that you were the first bishop ‘of woman born’? When I translated the American (Irish) turn of phrase, she responded that yes, this is historically correct. For her, the ordination to priesthood, this breakthrough was the defining moment, and her willingness to serve as bishop had most to do with the needs of the growing movement for a theologian. She was qualified to do so and now healthy enough to take on this role, so she agreed. Whit Sunday morning was also a practical choice, for these women who needed to travel at some distance, and to begin the work week the next day. This poignant reflection helps me realize how silently, and sometimes more practically than not, momentous changes take place. Looking back we are able to understand the meaning, but to those in the vortex of this change, the flow of events is often perceived quite differently. Someday, the faithful may barely recall that there were no women bishops before 2003 or that Ida was the first to be ordained by women, but the revolution that made this happen, she insists, was the result of careful planning. Following this ordination, she insisted, a new w definition of ‘called to serve’ took shape. Ida reminded me that Womenpriests is not only about ordaining women priests and bishops, but about what her ordaining bishop exhorted her to remember, the reformation of the priesthood, and a model of service and full inclusion of the people of God in the work of transformative Christian principles.

In watching each bishop lay hands upon the American priests, joining with the congregation in asking the blessing of the Holy Spirit to guide their ministry, I understand Ida’s injunction, to think about this movement as a means to recapture the divine spark of the early church and its close knit communities of faith and service. The real revolution is a quiet one, as womenpriests and bishops leave the sacred space to create communities and to lead by example, a new church, and a church in desperate need of them.