"Not enough Catholic priests? End celibacy, ordain women"/Baltimore Sun

"Parishioners need to speak up to remove a theologically dubious barrier to the priesthood"

By Dan Rodricks/The Baltimore Sun

October 27, 2010

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-rodricks-priests-20101027,0,5192421.column

"Their church is not a democracy, but Catholics who still care about this can do something about it. They can speak up. They can demand change. They can present their bishops with sensible solutions."

"The Rev. Richard McBrien, a professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, has suggested that the church could welcome back the many priests who, over the last few decades, left to marry and might still be willing to serve as married priests. Celibacy needs to go, and so does the equally theologically dubious ban on the ordination of women."

Vatican Refuses Permission for Filming of Victims of Clergy Abuse to Gather at St. Peters Square

NEWS ALERT October 26, 2010 Boston Massachusetts For Immediate Release Contact: Gary Bergeron / 978-606-3193 Bernie McDaid / 617-529-2029 Survivors Voice Inc Vatican Refuses Permission for Filming of Victims of Clergy Abuse to Gather at St. Peters Square October 26, 2010 Boston Massachusetts: Survivors Voice (www.survivorsvoice.org) co-founders Gary Bergeron & Bernie McDaid plan to move ahead with the Reformation Day event on Sunday, October 31, 2010. Survivor's Voice was informed today that the Vatican social communications officer, Mr. Scelzo, began informing members of the media yesterday that they will not be allowed to cover the Reformation Day event or film from the grounds of the Vatican. Survivors Voice has also been denied permits for victims of clergy abuse to gather as a group on Vatican property. The event which is described as "A gathering of people from around the globe standing together with survivors of childhood sexual abuse in one united voice to say "Enough!" will go on as planned at the City Square in front of the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome beginning at 6:00 pm on Sunday Evening, October 31st. "Although we are disheartened by the news, we are not discouraged. An invitation was extended to them for what could have been a moment in time that may have helped heal victims of abuse. They said no. With groups of survivors and individuals coming from over a dozen countries around the world, we have been forced to move our event to 500 meters away from St. Peters Square, but we will proceed. What began as humble expectations has grown to the point where we are humbled by the numbers of survivors who will be making the journey to stand with us and say 'Enough'. It was one thing for the Vatican to say that we were not welcomed, but now to hear that they are trying to stop people around the world joining us in sprit, by attempting to stop the filming of anything that happens at St. Peter's square is quite frankly, Enough." This event will include the introduction of a petition calling on the United Nations to define and include the Systemic Sexual Abuse of Children under Article 7 of its charter definitions of Crimes Against Humanity. (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/survivorsvoice/) For more information visit www.survivorsvoice.org Contact: Gary Bergeron / 978-606-3193 garymbergeron@gmail.com Contact: Bernie McDaid / 617-529-2029 bernie.mcdaid@gmail.com End Release--------------------------------------------------------------------- Bridget Mary's Reflection: How sad that the Pope and Bishops will not meet with you and embrace you in St. Peter's Square. In my view, it is an opportunity of grace for the hierarchy to ask forgivenesss, and to pledge justice and reform. But, know that you have many sisters and brothers in the Catholic community who support you on your journey to healing. We stand in solidarity with you as you call the Vatican to do justice for survivors of sexual abuse, and to adopt new structures of accountability. We hold you in our hearts as you journey to Rome. We too join you in saying, "enough" Bridget Mary Meehan RCWP, Oct. 26, 2010. sofiabmm@aol.com

"'Don’t even think about it' just isn’t working anymore" NCR / Roman Catholic Womenpriests - A Revolution for Justice/Equality for Women in Church

http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/don%E2%80%99t-even-think-about-it-just-isn%E2%80%99t-working-anymore

Sr. Joan Chittister/NCR/Oct. 25, 2010

"Change always happens one way or another. If it happens through the system, we call it evolution. If it happens despite the system, we call it revolution. The problem is that the spirit of revolution -- that unguided burst of change so often triggered by frustration or despair -- is in the air now, politically, economically and spiritually..."

Women have begun to open their own seminaries and ordain their own priests.
Priests for Equality published a non-sexist edition of the scriptures in the face of the Vatican’s refusal to admit that God is speaking to all of us, not simply to men.

..."It looks as if the church may have to choose whether it will foster evolution or risk revolution one more"

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

Thank you, Sister Joan Chittister for naming the elephant in the living room , women's ordination in the Catholic Church, which appears to be the Vatican's worst nightmare. The good news, is that it has already begun with Roman Catholic Womenpriests.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests are the revolution that is rocking the Vatican. Church authorities have done everything possible to stop the movement from excommunication of our members and supporters to punishments for anyone associated with us. I am sure there are many more examples of serious consequences and job loss that could be added to St. Joan Chittister's list of Vatican reprisals.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests are a revolution for justice and equality for women in the church. We are a change that is already happening despite the system . The Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement is a revolution, but one that is peaceful, loving and passionate, rooted in the heart of the Church, the people of God. We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers who long for justice and equality for all God's family everywhere.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests are following our well-formed consciences, which Pope Benedict In his earlier writing affirmed, "Over the pope as expression of the binding claim of ecclesiastical authority, there stands one's own conscience, which must be obeyed before all else, even if necessary against the requirements of ecclesiastical authority." (Joseph Ratiznger, Commentary on the Documents of Vatican ll, Herder and Herder, 1967)

Jesus called women and men to be disciples and equals. It is the Vatican that is out of step with Jesus who appeared first to Mary of Magdala, the apostle to the apostes. It is the hierarchy that is out of step with St. Paul, who called Junia, "an outstanding apostle" in Romans 16:7. It is the Vatican that rejected its own scholarship that stated that there is nothing in the bible to prohibit women's ordination. (Papal Biblical Commission, 1976)

It is the Vatican that is out of step with the early church where women served as leaders of house churches in whose homes the community celebrated Eucharist. Scholars believe that these women presided at the Holy Banquet, and provide evidence that women were ordained in the first twelve hundred years of the church's history. (Gary Macy, The Hidden History of Women's Ordination, Ute Eisen, Women Officeholders in Early Christianity, and Dorothy Irvin's archaeological discoveries of tombstone inscriptions and evidence in catacombs and churches in Italy, North African and the Middle East) So it is Vatican's hostile attitude toward womenpriests that is out of step with Jesus, St. Paul and with the church's early tradition, and is a blessing, helping the Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement to grow.

One could say that the Vatican is the gift that keeps on giving to the Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement! Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004

"The need for closure: When a parish shuts its doors" U.S. Catholic/ downsizing of churches/ movement to house churches

Judy Lee, RCWP ministers to youth in
house church in Ft. Myers, Florida

http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2010/08/need-closure-when-parish-shuts-its-doors?page=0%2C1

The need for closure: When a parish shuts its doors

Thursday, September 16, 2010

By Online Editor

J.D. Long-García

"According to the Code of Canon Law, a diocesan bishop can entrust the pastoral care of a parish to a layperson so long as a priest directs that pastoral care. Parish life coordinators run about 4 percent of parishes in the United States, but such appointments appear to be less popular in recent years. There seems to be reluctance on the bishops' part..."

Suggesting alternatives such as parish life coordinators is fairly common among parishes threatened with closure or merging. And for some, the shortage of priests has fueled discussion about ordination of married and women Catholics. "We don't believe the priest shortage is a valid reason to close parishes," says Sister Chris Schenk, C.S.J., of FutureChurch, a national network of parish-based activists. "We're closing parishes rather than opening ordination. Why couldn't we open the conversation to the married priesthood?..."

"...I get the sense that we've gone from a ‘family-owned business' to a ‘corporation model...'

WASHINGTON POST: "A Special healer is called when the church itself needs saving"

(Washington Post, Oct. 24, 2010) by Michelle Boorstein

Researchers say that there is a decline among white Catholics, mainline Protestants, and non-Orthodox Jews. Even among growing nondenominational Christianity, younger Americans are nowhere to be seen. They are much more alienated from organized religion than young people were in past years. Robert Putnam said in his book "American Grace" that organized religion is suffering particularly among people in their 20s and 30's -from being too closely tied to divisive political issues, "I don't think that new hymns or new seating will help until the overall public association between intolerance, as young people see it, and religion fade.

The article went on to report that churches are hiring consultants to help them reach out. The central question is what nurtures you spiritually. Everything is put on the table including whether they congregation closes the building and moves to a store house or to home churches. In these tough economic times, there are many who don't want to upkeep church buildings. "The rejection of institutionalized religion by many America, in the view of Phyllis Tickle, a consultant, is experiencing "evidence of a major upheaval she believes happens in Christianity about twice a millenium. Right now, she says 'church' is a "middle-class institution in an economy that's becoming increasingly polarized.'

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

Catholic parishes are shutting down in record numbers, some faithful parishoners have occupied church buildings for years in places like Boston. Young adults are missing in churches including the Catholic Church. Yet the newest trend is house churches, where people meet in small groups, share faith, and pray together. There between 6 and 12 million Americans who attend house churches. (SEE article in blog on house churches/NBC's program. Sounds like a return to our beginnings in early Christianity. Read Romans 16:3-5, and note that Paul greets the church that meets in the homes of prominent leaders like Prisca and Aquila. The Church gathered in their home in Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus. (see also Acts 18:18, 2 Tim:4;19, 1Cor.16:9)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#39787679


"Pastoring" in not about title but about function, it is about nurturing and caring in context of a faith community.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#39784379

Roman Catholic Womenpriests are now serving grassroots communities in 23 states in the U.S. Our communities are inclusive and welcoming to all. Sounds likes the Holy Spirit speaking loud and clear to me as we head back to basics- women and men, partners and equals, proclaming the Word, sharing faith around the Eucharistic table and building community.

"'Rites' for women, 'rights' for gays: Cardinal George's double standards"/NCR

http://ncronline.org/blogs/young-voices/rites-women-rights-gays-cardinal-georges-double-standards

by Jamie L Manson on Oct. 21, 2010

"For the cardinal rights may not have any claim within a rite, but a rite possesses the power to take away rights...

"The cardinal tells his readers: “In the order of grace, no one has rights and everything is gift from a God who loves us. . . . We can’t demand it from God; nor can we tell God to change it to suit us.”

"The cardinal doesn’t seem to realize that no one who fights for the inclusion of women in priestly ministry is demanding anything from God. God has already given the gift of calling forth women to service and leadership in God’s church. The demand is being made of the institutional church."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

Speaking out for for justice for gays and for women in the Catholic Church, equal rights and equal rites for all, is the voice of God in our time! Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, sofiabmm@aol.com

Polish Magazine- POLKI - Cover Story on Janice Sevre-Duszynska's Journey as a Roman Catholic Womanpriest

http://polkiwswiecie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=29&Itemid=66

Roman Catholic Womanpriest Gabriella Velardi Ward Shares Journey to Priesthood on CNN

(left to right: Gloria Carpeneto,
Judy Lee, Gabriella Velardi Ward
at priestly ordinations in Boston in 2008)

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/22/the-life-of-a-so-called-woman-priest/

"...Velardi Ward, ordained by a worldwide organization called Roman Catholic Womenpriests, says some express surprise that she is a woman of the cloth. Like her sister many years ago, others say that's not even possible."

"Women and men are created equal by God and can therefore equally represent Christ," the vision statement of Roman Catholic Womenpriests says in its counterpoint...."

NEW MOVIE: Pink Smoke Over the Vatican' Portrays Growth of Women's Ordination Movement

http://ncronline.org/news/women/pink-smoke-portrays-growth-womens-ordination-movement

By Marjorie Reiley Maguire

"As part of its anniversary celebration in Chicago on Sept. 18, 2010, WOC had the first public showing of "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican," a one-hour documentary on the women priest movement made by Jules Hart for her company, Eyegoddess Films."

"Hart, who is not Catholic, said she was moved to make this film after she met some of the women priests and their supporters because "it is not every day that you meet people who give up everything for what they believe in."

"Pink Smoke features interviews with some of the women who claim to have been ordained in the same line of apostolic succession that male priests and bishops also claim - women such as Bishop Patricia Fresen, Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, Bishop Dana Reynolds, Victoria Rue, Janice Sevré-Duszynska, Kathleen Kunster, Juanita Cordero, Alta Jacko, Jean Marchant, and Mary Ramerman."

A DVD will then be available for purchase for $20 from Jules Hart at www.eyegoddess.com.

"Vatican Pitbulls Make Cardinals "by Mary Hunt

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/politics/3602/vatican_pitbulls_make_cardinal

"...But perhaps it was the case of Sister of Charity Louise Lears that gave him the boost he needed. Louise Lears, who has a Ph.D. in medical ethics, served on the pastoral team of Saint Cronan Parish and was an adjunct professor at St. Louis University. Her support for, and presence at, the ordination of two members of the Roman Catholic Women Priests group in 2007 that got Burke’s Irish up. The ceremony was held not in the local cathedral but in a synagogue whose rabbi was a strong supporter of her sisters’ ministry."

"Archbishop Burke, with scant attention to dialogue and little regard for her well-being, placed Louise Lears under interdict, prohibiting her from working in diocesan venues or receiving the Catholic sacraments. In fact, he issued the decree the day before he left St. Louis for greener pastures in Rome. He now heads the court that would be one of the few ecclesial venues for appealing Sister Lears’ case. So much for due process."

"Catholic Women Need to Challenge Hierarchy for Good of the Church " / Those who Speak for Equality of Women Are Voice of God in our Time

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/catholic-women-need-to-challenge-hierarchy-for-good-of-the-church-20101021-16vxh.html

by Laura Beth Bugg
Oct. 22, 2010

.... Roman Catholic Womenpriests, a movement for women's ordination that began in 2002, supervised the ordination. Since that time nearly 100 women worldwide have been ordained, although none have been recognised by the church.

These are not women who wish to break off from the church; they want to reimagine it...

As St Mary's celebration recedes, there is already talk of another Josephite, Sister Irene McCormack, becoming Australia's next saint.

"Sister McCormack lived and worked among the poor in a remote village in Peru. When the male priests left the village because of threats of violence, Sister McCormack stayed. She and a fellow sister led communion, celebrated the Eucharist, and performed weddings and baptisms. "

Bridget Mary's reflection:

I sincerely hope that Sister McCormack is Australia's next saint. Her courage to stay with the people and serve as their "unofficial priest" led to her execution by a military group.

Indeed as Professor Laura Bugg concludes it is time for the next generation to stand up, claim their authority and address the hierarchy "on matters concerning the good of the church" as Vatican ll mandated. The future of the church is in our hands and we are called to live the Gospel of justice and equality now. Let us be grateful for holy women like St. Mary Mackillop and Sister Irene McCormack who have gone before us as role models of courage in living their vocations- Mother Mary was not deterred by a bishop's excommuniction, Sr. Irene ministered as a priest in spite of great danger. Those who live justice and speak for the equality of women in our church and world are the voices of God in our time.

House Churches Growing in USA /MSNB TV Program/Roman Catholic Womenpriests Minister in House Churches

Judy Lee, RCWP, baptizes
on Easter Sunday at
House Church, Ft. Myers, Florida


Dena O'Callaghan, RCWP
presides at liturgy with
community in Florida


Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP,
presides house Church Liturgy

MSNBC: Houe Churches Between 6 and 12% of Americans attend House Churches

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#39787679


"Pastoring" in not about title but about function, it is about nurturing and caring in context of a faith community.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#39784379

Archbishop Nienstedt Promotes "A Smaller Church"/Roman Catholic Womenpriests Offer Inclusive Church that Welcomes All

Enthusiastic Catholics pray at
Roman Catholic Womenpriests'Ordination Liturgy
on Feb. 6, 2010 in Sarsota, Florida

http://anothervoice-greenleaf.org/

John GreenLeaf's Blog/Another Voice
(Special thanks for this excellent article)

"Catholicism has lost more people to other religions or to no religion at all than any other single religious group in the United States.

More than 10% of the adult population in the United States now consists of people who have left the Roman Catholic Church for another religion or for no religion at all. To put it another way, one out of every 10 people in the United States (or 22,725,000) is a former-Catholic.

These are individuals who were baptized and raised Catholic but who now no longer identify themselves as Catholic. Furthermore, if one excludes immigrants and converts from the calculations, the Catholic Church has lost to other religions or to no religion at all, 35.4% or more than one-third of the 64,131,750 of its native born members. This amounts to almost 7 out of every 20 adults who were baptized as Catholics."

"Archbishop John Nienstedt has the answer! SMALLER IS BETTER……A couple days ago, in an interview with The Associated Press, Archbishop John Nienstedt (Archbishop of St. Paul / Minneapolis) talked about plans to close 21 churches in the archdiocese. “A smaller church isn’t a bad thing if the people in it are more strongly committed to Catholic principles” the Archbishop stressed, because “a shrinking church can still be influential on cultural issues.” This is what we call the “holy remnant” idea that is also very popular with Pope Benedict."Archbishop Nienstedt recently refused to give Communion to a group of college students from St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict because they were wearing rainbow-colored buttons in support of gay rights.

Bridget Mary's Reflection

I think it is deplorable to refuse communion to anyone. Ask yourself, what would Jesus do? I hope that Catholics who have had it with such heavy-handed behavior by the hierarchy will claim their power. If your parish is being closed or merged, you can join with other members of the community and CONTINUE as a Catholic Community. Find your own priest, celibate, married, or call forth a womanpriest to serve in a people-empowered, vibrant grassroots community. Think early church/house church. Hey, that's how it all began. Read Romans 16 for inspiration! Contact: www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

"St. Mary MacKillop and the Communion of Saints by Janice Sevre-Duszynska

http://ncronline.org/blogs/st-mary-mackillop-and-communion-saints

"We women, devoted daughters of the Church who have said “Yes” to priesthood, reject our misguided excommunication. So do the majority of Catholics and people of other faiths. Our faith and theirs teaches us to obey our conscience and disobey an unjust law.
With St. Mary MacKillop now in the Litany of Saints the good news is that excommunication could be the new fast track to sainthood! Our brother priests at the Vatican would do well to make her their patron saint, too."
[Janice Sevre-Duszynska was ordained a Roman Catholic Womanpriest in 2008.]

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: MOVIES: Update on Growth, Historic Florida Ordination, and Growth of Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNNpgnDDHoE
(high quality, slow download)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHBWt0e4RPI
(lower quality, faster download)

In this clip, Bridget Mary Meehan presents the good news about the Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement's growth. There are now more then 100 who serve in 23 states in the USA, in Canada, Germany, Austria, France, Scotland, and coming soon South America. Catholics flock to our ordinations to demonstrate their support.
See some photos of historic Florida ordinations and Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota which grew from a house church setting to worshiping in St. Andrew United Church of Christ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K5CiSXcy6Y
(higher quality, slower download)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYz1sChQjew
lower quality, faster download)
In this clip Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, addresses the Vatican's recent decision to label the ordination of a woman priest a crime and put it in the same category as pedophilia. She also discusses the implications of Pope Benedict's canonization of Mother Mary MacKillop, an excommunicated Australian nun on Oct. 17, 2010. One day, the institutional church may proclaim Roman Catholic Womenpriests as role models and perhaps even canonize a saintly womanpriest. Bridget Mary Meehan is a bishop serving the southern region of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests' Movement. Contact Bridget Mary at sofiabmm@aol.com,
www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org
www.godtalktv.org


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5kH-vtkdVg
In this clip, you will meet some of our Roman Catholic Womenpriests serving in our Southern Region. Judy Lee, Janice Sevre -Duszynska, Eleonora Marinaro, Dena O'Callahgan and Roberta Meehan.

www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

www.godtalktv.org

www.marymotherofjesus.org

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Movie -Gabriella Verlardi Ward Shares Journey to Renewed Priestly Ministry/New York

Boston Ordinations: July 2008
( left to right:
Judy Lee, Gloria Carpeneto,
Gabriella VelardiWard)

For more information on liturgies in the New York area: Contact Gabriella at gabriellavelardiward@verizon.net
Visit website: www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

LINK to Movie:

http://exposureroom.com/members/jonobeirne/63cc9a4dfa6c4c6fb1cf36ff83a90c5d/

Pope Benedict Canonizes Mother Mary MacKillop, An Austrialian Nun Who Was Excommunicated for Exposing a Pedophile Priest

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101017/ap_on_re_eu/eu_vatican_saints

Nicole Winfield/Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (Oct. 17) -- Pope Benedict XVI gave Australia its first saint on Sunday, canonizing a 19th century nun who was briefly excommunicated and also declaring five other saints in a Mass attended by tens of thousands of people...Benedict solemnly read out the names of the six new saints, declaring each one worthy of veneration in all the Catholic Church. "Let us be drawn by these shining examples, let us be guided by their teachings," Benedict said in his homily..."
"As a young nun, MacKillop and 47 other nuns from her order were briefly dismissed from the Roman Catholic Church in a clash with high clergy in 1871. In addition to bitter rivalries among priests, one of the catalysts for the move was that her order had exposed a pedophile priest." "Five months later, the bishop revoked his ruling from his deathbed, restoring MacKillop to her order and paving the way for her decades of work educating the poor across Australia and New Zealand."

Bridget Mary' Reflection:

Brava for Pope Benedict's canonization of an excommunicated 19th century Australian nun , Mother Mary Mackillop. Mother Mary Mackillop challenged the hierarchy, exposed a pedophile priest, spoke truth to power and bore the stigma of excommunication for herself and her order! Mother Mary Mackillop was a woman of truth-telling and integrity.The hierarchy would do well to pray to her as we work toward a more just and transparent church. We can affirm St. Mary Mackillop as the patron saints for Survivors of Sexual Abuse, and for advocates of Church accountability and reform. We can affirm St. Mary Mackillop as a patron saint for all those whom the Catholic Church condemns for their prophetic stances for justice and equality for all people in our church including Roman Catholic Womenpriests.

Who knows one day, one of our Roman Catholic Womenpriests may be declared a saint by the Vatican. Can't you just see the millions around the world who will rejoice on that great day!

The good news is that , Pope Benedict by his canonization of Mother Mackillop has placed the "excommunicated" members of our church on what could be a new fast track to sainthood!

Excommunication is no longer a barrier to sainthool. The important thing to remember is that God has called us to live as radiant reflections of God's love, and sometimes that means disobeying the man-made laws of church that discriminate against others. We must always follow our conscience.


A Prayer to Saint Mother Mary Mackillop
Saint Mary Mackillop, pray for us and for all the courageous women and men who are working for justice and equality in our church Your courageous witness reminds us that no earthly power, including church authorities can separate us from Christ's love and that no bishop or pope can cancel our baptism. May we, like you, serve the people of God, especially those on the margins, who face discrimination and who are rejected by church and society. Like you, may our hearts be filled with Christ's passionate love for all as we do justice , work for a more inclusive church and walk humbly with our God. Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004

Pope canonises Australian nun

From the Irish Times -PÁDRAIG COLLINS in Sydney

"She was excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 1871 after exposing the activities a paedophile Irish priest. She discovered that children were being abused by Fr Patrick Keating in the Kapunda parish near Adelaide in south Australia.

She told Josephites director Fr Julian Tenison-Woods about the abuse. It was then reported to the vicar general and Fr Keating was sent back to Ireland, where he continued to serve as a priest.

Fr Charles Horan, a Galway man who was a colleague of Fr Keating, swore revenge on Sr MacKillop and her order. After only four years as a nun, she was excommunicated by Adelaide’s bishop Laurence Shiel, who was originally from Wexford.

She was turned out on the street with no money and nowhere to go. Five months later, on his deathbed, Bishop Shiel instructed that Sr MacKillop be absolved and restored.

After being reinstated by the Catholic Church, Sr MacKillop became known for her work with disadvantaged children, female ex-prisoners and prostitutes."

Linda Spear/Quebec Woman Ordained a Roman Catholic Womanpriest/Article in French

Bishop Andrea Johnson (left)
presents newly ordained woman priest,
Linda Spear to Congregation in historic Quebec ordinations

Sutton - L'unité pastorale s'oppose à l'ordination d'une prêtre

http://cowansville.enregion.ca/

Janice Sevre-Duszynska: "Serving the Ministry of Irritation "by Gregory Flannery

http://streetvibes.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/serving-the-ministry-of-irritation/

Streetvibes: Advocating Justice, Building Community

"The issue of women’s ordination isn’t Sevre-Duszynska’s only criticism of the contemporary Catholic Church.
“It’s not just adding women and stirring,” she says. “We’re worker priests. We’re about reforming and transforming.”
She believes the church has strayed from its founder’s mission, reflected in the absence of people whom, she says, Jesus would welcome.
“Where are women?” she says. “Where are homosexuals? Where are street people? The God of Jesus is full of compassion, walking with us, a fierce defender of the poor and marginalized.”

Roman Catholic Womanpriest, Linda Spear, First Woman To Be Ordained in Quebec// Article in French

(left to right)
Roman Catholic Womenpriests:
Kim Sylvester, British Columbia,
Bishop Andrea Johnson, USA/East
newly ordained priest,
Linda Spear, Quebec,
and Marie Bouclin ,
Ontario, Canada



Bishop Andrea Johnson Presents
newly ordained Roman Catholic
Womanpriest,
Linda Spear, to Assembly

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/la-voix-de-lest/actualites/201010/12/01-4331633-linda-spear-ordonnee-pretre.php?utm_categorieinterne=trafficdrivers&utm_contenuinterne=cyberpresse_B13b_en-region_661151_section_POS2

Maxime Massé La Voix de l'Est

"(Sutton) Pour la première fois au Québec, une femme a été ordonnée prêtre samedi après-midi devant une centaine de personnes réunies à l'église Grace anglicane de Sutton. Malgré l'opposition du Vatican, Linda Spear, une enseignante à la retraite originaire de Montréal, a reçu le sacerdoce catholique qui accorde traditionnellement tous les pouvoirs aux prêtres..."

"A Saint for Our Time" /America /St. Mary Mackillop, an excommunicated nun/ Patron Saint of Sex Abuse Survivors

The Editors |America/ OCTOBER 18, 2010

http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12496

"The news that a soon-to-be-saint had once been excommunicated for her order’s part in urging the church to act against an accused sex offender is a reminder of the virulence and long history of crimes of abuse by members of the Catholic clergy."

"...But the fuller story is that Mother Mary MacKillop was excommunicated partially out of revenge for her order’s part in pointing to a case of abuse by a Father Keating. ..

"What might this episode mean for contemporary Catholics? First, it is no surprise that a saint found herself at odds with the church hierarchy. Joan of Arc, to take an extreme example, was burned at the stake in 1431 after being convicted of heresy by an English ecclesiastical court. Thomas Aquinas found his own writings under censure in the 13th century. The most recently canonized American saint, Mother Theodore Guérin, the independent-minded founder of the Sisters of Providence of St.-Mary-of-the-Woods, was instructed in 1847 by the bishop of Vincennes, Ind., to resign from her religious order. (The bishop was later removed from his post by the Vatican.)"

..."The prophet faces dismissive attitudes, hostile denials or, as in the case of Blessed Mary MacKillop and the Josephite Sisters, outright punishment. Only recently has the church begun to see whistleblowers in its own ranks as necessary—and sometimes holy.And what is more heroic than standing up for a victim when advocacy costs you membership in the church that you love?

Like all saints, she is a model for all Catholics. But at this time, abuse victims and their families especially need all the help they can get—from heaven as on earth."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Let us praise God for courageous women like Mother Mary Mackillop, who will be canonized a saint on Oct. 17th, 2010 by Pope Benedict. She is the patron saint of Survivors of Sexual Abuse and of Advocates for Justice for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse in our Church. St. Mary Mackillop, pray for us that we may all work together for justice and equality for all especially for victims of clerghy sexual abuse and for all those who are marginalized and ostracized in our church.

"Latest female priest is Montrealer"/ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/10/10/quebec-woman-ordained-priest.html

"Linda Spear, originally from Winnipeg, became the sixth woman in Canada to defy Rome and become unofficially ordained, and just like the five women before her, Spear now faces excommunication..."

"...She said she will perform the sacraments — such as baptism, marriage and confession — even though they won't be recognized by the Vatican, which limits the priesthood to men..."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/10/10/quebec-woman-ordained-priest.html#ixzz124KAD6G3

"The Case of the Pope" by Juliette Hughes/Sydney Morning Herald

October 9, 2010 - The Sydney Morning Herald

..."Recognition of the Vatican as a state has privileged Roman Catholicism over all other religions but ordinary people have not benefited."

"...The Vatican has exploited its position not only to hamper the UN's contraceptive programs and the use of condoms against AIDS in Africa but also to indulge in money laundering and other activities that subvert the laws of countries where its adherents live. The most egregious of these transgressions has been the Vatican's refusal to respect the anti-paedophile laws of other countries. It developed a culture of concealing crimes and a widespread practice of transferring criminal clerics from place to place to commit more."

"There have been whistleblowers, but they were often ostracised, even excommunicated (as with Mary MacKillop)..."

"...What the current Pope does not seem to get is that no expressions of personal anguish over the abuses committed on his watch can substitute for what is needed: an acknowledgement that he and many bishops covered up crimes — and a commitment to change...."

Juliette Hughes is a practising Catholic.

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Two thoughts:
1) Pope Benedict will canonize Mother Mary MacKillop, an excommunicated nun. Perhaps, this pope is offering hope to the many thousands of Catholics who have been excommunicated, including women priests. Excommunication is not a barrier to canonization.

2) We should ask ourselves what other religion would get away with acting like a crime family- transferring criminals from place to place in violation of civil law as this article points out!
It is ironic that Roman Catholic Womenpriests who love the church and are serving the people of God in grassroots in inclusive communities are excommunicated. The Vatican categorizes our ordinations as "crimes"; yet the Pope has not excommunicated the pedophiles nor has he punished the bishops who have kept clergy abusers in ministry or transferred them from place to place . Something is wrong with this picture!

"Women Fight Exclusion in Catholic Priesthood

http://itwouldbefunny.blogspot.com/2010/10/women-fight-exclusion-in-catholic.html

Engendering a firestorm of criticism, their new canonical guidelines for handling and punishing the most "grave crimes" in church law revealed just how enraged the hierarchy is at women who dare to challenge them. Along with the crimes of sexually molesting children and developmentally disabled adults, and of using and distributing pornography, the Vatican listed: "the attempted sacred ordination of a woman."

"In other words, the two greatest problems the Catholic hierarchy faces are women and children..."

"In reality, this action is yet another desperate response by the Catholic hierarchy to the small but highly visible movement by Catholic women -- sisters and lay women -- to defy the church's ban on women's ordination. .."

Quebec's 1st" Female Catholic Priest Ordained"/Montrel Gazette

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Quebec+female+Catholic+priest+ordained/3649972/story.html

..."The group Roman Catholic Womenpriests ordained Linda Spear, a retired teacher from Quebec, in an Anglican church in Sutton..."

"Spear is the first Quebecer but the sixth Canadian woman to become a Catholic priest this way. She was symbolically ordained by U.S. bishop Andrea Johnson. Spear can celebrate the sacraments such as marriage, but they will not be recognized by the Vatican, which limits the priesthood to men."

"We are not leaving the church, we are leading it into living Jesus's example of Gospel equality. Jesus called men and women to be disciples," Meehan said.

"We are disobeying an unjust church law that prohibits women's ordination and is rooted in discrimination," she explained. .."

Read more:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Quebec+female+Catholic+priest+ordained/3649972/story.html#ixzz11yN5qCX3

"High time for Vatican to Signal End of Patriarchy" by Sean O'Conaill/Irish Times

The following article was written by VOTF’s Sean O’Conaill and appeared in the Irish Times.

With the Vatican-appointed Church inspectors due in Ireland this autumn, Sean O'Conaill wonders if the patriarchs will announce the failure of patriarchy.

How many in Ireland believe that the pending visit to Ireland of nine Vatican-appointed inspectors, or visitators, can reverse the rapid decline in the authority of the Irish Catholic hierarchy?

So far, scant enthusiasm for the visit has been shown by Ireland's bishops themselves. It was left to the Irish Catholic to strike a tentative note of optimism in its headline of June 3rd: “Could this be the renewal we have been waiting for?”

For that to happen the visitors will need to do something quite sensational and unprecedented. They must announce that the patriarchal governing system of the Catholic church has been finally exposed as anachronistic, stifling and dangerous—and call upon the Pope to reform it...."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Well said, Sean! The Vatican needs to come to grips that the end of patriarchy is already a reality. The institutional church has lost its moral credibility. It must reform and renew to survive. Jesus showed us how to live as the beloved of God. Both men and women were his disciples and called to be the Good News as well as to share the Good News. The Roman Catholic Church is one of the last bastions of male clerical privilege and gender apartheid. Structural change is the only solution. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said 16 years before the the demise of apartheid in South Africa: "... our God... is a God of justice and liberation and goodness. Our cause...must triumph because it is moral and just and right. .." Reflecting recently on the collapse of apartheid, Tutu told TIME, "The texture of our universe is one where there is no question at all that good and laughter and justice will prevail." (TIME Oct. 11, 2010) So too the time for the full equality of women in our church has come. No more excuses, please, from the prelates in the Vatican.

"Quebec Gets First Female Priest"/ Montreal Headlines Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/headlines-in-montreal/quebec-gets-first-female-roman-catholic-priest

"Quebec will soon have its first female Roman Catholic priest.

Linda Spear, a former Montreal teacher originally hailing from Winnipeg, will become the sixth Canadian woman ordained as a catholic priest.

The ceremony is presided by the group Roman Catholic Women Priests. It's been around since 2001 and includes about a hundred women priests in Europe and 75 in the U.S. Spear said she'd prefer to wait until after she's ordained before doing an interview..."

"Female priest says Vatican 'out of touch' "By Nancy Haught/Religious News Service

Ordination in Portland, Oregon
Toni Tortorilla/ center
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/7236969.html

PORTLAND, Ore. — It's been three years since Toni Tortorilla was ordained in the Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement, and the Vatican's decision to label both pedophilia and women's ordination as grave offenses, she says, is an insult to clerical abuse victims and women seeking ordination.

"The sexual abuse of children is morally reprehensible by any possible standard," Tortorilla, 63 said. "The ordination of women has been happening for decades in many denominations."

Pairing the issues in one statement "shows how out of touch with reality the Vatican really is," said Tortorilla, who serves the Sophia Christi Catholic Community in Portland and Eugene, Ore., where between 30 and 40 people attend monthly services.

"Church Crisis Reflects Lack of Pastoral Leadership"/ Richard McBrien/ National Catholic Reporter

http://ncronline.org/blogs/essays-theology/church-crisis-reflects-lack-pastoral-leadership

"...Our church today, Curran insisted, is in serious trouble, and not just in Europe and the United States, although the problems there are great and need to be recognized as such and addressed."

"Indeed, the second largest religious denomination in the United States today consists of Catholics who are no longer active in the church. The sense of alienation from the church is especially acute among women. "

“Our love for the church and our role as Catholic moral theologians call for all of us to address these issues no matter what our positions are....We are called to put flesh and blood on the ancient axiom, “In necessariis, unitas; in dubiis, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.” (“In necessary matters, unity; in doubtful matters, freedom; in all things, charity.”

"What Curran did not provide is a basic reason for this crisis. It is a crisis, after all, of pastoral leadership..."

Bridget Mary's Reflection

The basic reason for the alienation of women from the church is that women are treated as second class citizens in their own church. Roman Catholic Womenpriests are leading the way toward a new era of justice and equality for women in the church. Why wait? The time is now. Join us! For more information, visit http://www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

"There is no one to watch Vatican watchmen" by John Cooney/ Irish Independent/ People of Ireland leading the way

(left, Marie Collins, Andrew Madden (dark suit),
Irish Survivors of Sexual Abuse, right Bridget Mary Meehan
Castlebar, Ireland at Humbert Summer School)
http://www.independent.ie/search/?q=there+is+no+one+to+watch+the+vatican+watchmen&eceExpr=there+is+no+one+to+watch+the+vatican+watchmen

By John Cooney

Monday October 04 2010

"Behind the closed Vatican portals Roman officials and "apostolic visitors" will "offer assistance" to the Irish "as they seek to respond adequately to the situation caused by the tragic cases of abuse perpetrated by priests and religious upon minors".

The sparse wording clearly implies that Rome is not yet satisfied that the Irish bishops have adequately repaired the basket. Overseeing them in its remaking to Roman specifications will be two cardinals, three archbishops, two male religious and two nuns.

So the Irish visitation bears all the hallmarks of being a Roman affair with the imprint of pontifical secrecy...

The ultra-loyal collaboration of the four Irish church leaders with the apostolic visitation is a sad sign that they are more intent on being Roman courtiers than leaders of their Church in Ireland.

Veteran commentator TP O'Mahony hits the nail on the head in his new book, 'Why the Catholic Church needs Vatican III', when he writes that the Irish visitation "is just Rome-speak for a group of enforcers who, with the Pope's full approval, will camp out here and seek to reinforce the Vatican's system of centralised control".

"Will we get an explanation, for example, as to why two Irish bishops, Eamonn Walsh and Raymond Field, who resigned after being named in the Murphy report into clerical sexual abuse, had their resignations rejected by the Vatican? Or hear any apology for the Vatican's past failure to communicate with the Murphy investigation?

Irish priests and Catholics deserve explanations for decisions which further wounded and alienated victims such as Andrew Madden, Marie Collins, Michael O'Brien and Christine Buckley.

Will the four Irish churchmen have the moral courage to say to Rome: "Physician, heal thyself."

jcooney@eircom.net

- John Cooney

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
John Cooney raises important questions that the Vatican needs to answer. Until Pope Benedict demands the resignation of bishops who kept pedophiles in ministry, he will have little credibility. Indeed, our pope needs to explain his decisions to delay the dismissal of well-known pedophiles when he was head of the CDF. Why did protection of a corrupt clerical system so often trump the protection of children? Again, the visitation of Ireland by outside prelates appears like another exercise of Vatican power and control when what is needed is a top-down shakeup and reform of the Roman Catholic Church. What do you think Jesus would say to Pope Benedict , the Vatican, the Irish bishops, and survivors of sexual abuse? Are the people of Ireland leading the way, including the new Association of Irish Priests and courageous women, who are calling for equality? Perhaps, they are the prophetic voice of God to the Vatican.

"Patience Running Thin for Church in Ireland" by Daniel O'Carroll /It is time for Womenpriests in Ireland

http://www.irishcentral.com/story/news/danny_boy/patience-running-thin-for-church-in-ireland-104235494.html

"The writing is well and truly on the wall that the female ordination issue will be a major bone of contention between the Church and its faithful in Ireland, and opposition to the stalemate now seems to be springing from within the ranks of the Church and the faithful itself. The Irish Examiner reports yesterday that a campaigning nun from Fermoy (Co.Cork) is challenging the Church's no-go stance on ordaining female priests. "People are looking for change now," wrote Sr Louvenagh Heffernan in the Cork-based daily, "and that means the priesthood has to change." But Sister Heffernan is just the latest figure within 'the fold' to criticize the way the modern Roman Catholic Church is run, and to take issue with the notion that the issue of female ordination isn't up for discussion. "

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Right on Daniel O'Carroll. Thank you Sister Louvenagh for speaking up for women's ordination. May our Church practice the equality that Jesus modeled to embrace all women and men whom the Holy Spirit has called for sacramental service. Now is the time for courageous Irish women who are unafraid to embrace their vocation for priestly ministry. Do it in the name of Jesus who called Mary Magdalene and Junia as apostles, and Phoebe as deacon, Theodora and Brigit of Kildare as bishops. Join the growing movement of ordained women serving the People of God in egalitarian, inclusive Catholic communities. The full equality of women in the church is the voice of God in our time. For more information, visit
www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004

Homily for the 27th Sunday – Cycle C – 03 October 2010/Roberta Meehan, RCWP

Homily for the 27th Sunday – Cycle C – 03 October 2010

Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
2 Timothy 1:6-8; 13-14
Luke 17:5-10

“How long, O God! I cry for help but you do not listen!” (Habakkuk 1:2)

I wrote a homily on this passage in 2001. When I began writing that homily, my internet server was down. I laughed. After all, “How long, O God, can I go without my connection to the outside world? Do you not understand, God? I want my server back and you are not reconnecting me!”

This week (2010), the IRS is after me. And I am screaming once again. “How long, O God, can I go on until the IRS stops hounding me?”

Absolutely shocking – screaming at God that way – particularly about something as mundane as an internet provider or the IRS….

But, the Israelites were always screaming at God. Habakkuk’s rendition is nothing new. The Israelites screamed as individuals and as a nation – and not just on one occasion. And what are Lamentations if not a series of protracted screams at God – screams lasting sometimes 40 years. (If my internet server back in 2001 – or even today – shows any signs of being out that long, I’ll get a new server. Can I scream at God about that? What about the IRS? Can I scream about God about that?)

Forty years, God? This is 2010 and 40 years sounds like such a long time in our instant gratification society.

Laugh, I suppose. Our reliance on the material world is funny – from computers to the IRS. But, the real question has to do with FAITH. FAITH is the entire theme of today’s liturgy.

Can I be a person of FAITH and still scream at God? Or does FAITH somehow involve blind and silent submission?

Interestingly, Jesus does not provide a direct answer in today’s gospel. The apostles make a demand on Jesus. “Increase our faith,” they say. Jesus tells them something silly – or seemingly silly – about having faith the size of a mustard seed. That is a very small seed – not the tiniest known today but still very small and definitely one of the most minute known in the time of Jesus. What does this have to do with acquiring FAITH? That seems to be a statement about the quantity of FAITH rather than instructions on how to increase FAITH.

To repeat: Can I be a person of FAITH and still scream at God?

YES. And I am screaming now. In 2001 did I have FAITH that my petulant purveyor of pixels would return? Yes! If I had not had FAITH that I would soon be reconnected with the world, I would not have been screaming at God, would I? And today, if I did not have FAITH that the IRS could be beaten, I would not be screaming at God, would I? Maybe that is part of the answer. Maybe the louder I scream at God, the more assured I am that God is listening! But, of course God listens -- regardless. I have known that since I was a child, at least in theory. The question is, do I believe it? Even as one who is no longer a child, do I believe it? Maybe screaming at God is an indication that I do believe.

Belief? FAITH? How are these two related? Are they the same thing? No, not exactly, but in one way, they are. We won’t worry today about how FAITH and belief are un-related. Let us look at the way they are identical – the way they are really the same thing. Do I truly believe that if I scream loudly enough at God that God will help me? Do I have the FAITH to scream?

Can I let go of my own struggle long enough to scream loud enough for my FAITH to grow to the size of a mustard seed? Do I believe that God will hear me?

How absurd! Why would God care about my internet provider? Or about my struggles with the IRS? What kind of FAITH or belief system is that? Maybe God doesn’t really care about my internet provider or the IRS; maybe what God really cares about is ME. Maybe God won’t turn the server back on or the IRS off. But, the louder I scream, the more God will hold me and give me what I really need. And when I can surrender that, my FAITH can grow. When I can believe that my God will take absolute care of me, then the FAITH of a mustard seed can move mountains. Maybe not the mountains of planet earth, but definitely the mountains of my mind.

To repeat: Does FAITH somehow involve blind and silent submission?

I think not. God does not tell me to check my humanity at the door when I come into the Almighty’s presence! Not at all! I am human. I scream, I am not blind, I cannot be silent and submit until I have told God what I believe and until I have been told – and until I believe – that I have everything I need.

“How long, O God! I cry for help but you do not listen!” (Habakkuk 1:2)

No, that prayer should be: Here I am, God! I just want my problems solved! My voice shrinks to silence – no, what I really want is my God holding me. I can scream from the depths of my soul until there is no room for anything but that mustard seed of FAITH. And then I can believe that my God truly loves me and that my God will take absolute care of me – regardless of the problems that need to be solved.

-- Roberta M Meehan