What can Benedict do to resolve the sexual crisis of Catholicism? -Resign- by Joe Rigert and Richard Sipe

http://www.catholica.com.au/gc3/rs/006_rs_print.php

"The world knows that Pope Benedict XVI, leader of the billion-member Roman Catholic church, has a horrible problem of child sex abuse in his church, especially in North America and Australia. Now a surge of alleged abuse cases in Europe, including almost 500 in tiny Belgium alone, shows that the problem is far more widespread than originally believed, reaching right into the papacy itself. Along with other bishops, Benedict was complicit earlier in tolerating and covering up the crimes of the priests. "

"That case involving Ratzinger was not a matter of sexual fondling or touching, as the abuses by priests are often described. This was a terrible assault on the child. The alleged victim, now an adult, said in an interview that the priest gave him alcohol, locked him in his bedroom, took off his clothes and forced him to perform oral sex. He was 11 years old. Any priest now credibly accused of such conduct should be defrocked, stripped of his priestly functions. Could any bishop who kept such a priest in the ministry be seriously considered as a credible candidate for pope?"

"...The pope could initiate this change by resigning from the papacy and calling for the resignation of all the other bishops, like him, who were complicit in the abuse scandal. (In Ireland, the archbishop of Dublin proposed such action, and five bishops offered to resign.) Other popes have quit. In centuries past nine of the 265 Roman Catholic popes have resigned or been forced out of office for the good of the church. The most recent was Gregory XII who abdicated in 1417 to help settle the claims of three competitors for the papacy."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

Excellent argument for Pope Benedict's resignations and for holding Vatican and hierarchy accountable. It is time for Vatican 111, a worldwide Council of the People of God, for a people-empowered church, for married priests, women priests and for a top-down reform of all structures in the church. It is time that the Roman Catholic Church follows the example of Jesus who calls us to live as equals and partners in an inclusive community of faith.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Serve the People of God

Katy Zatsick at Ordination
Liturgy on Feb. 6,2010

Judy Lee presides at Liturgy
in Joshua House in Ft. Myers, Florida

Frederick Buechner said--"our call is the place where our heart's deep desire meets the world's deep need?"

Surveys tell us that 10% of Americans are former Catholics. There are many baptized Catholics who no longer feel welcome in a Roman Catholic Parish. Roman Catholic Womehavpriests, like Judy Lee, are serving communities who love Jesus, their Catholic heritage, and
who seek a spiritual community where they are welcome and treated as the beloved of God. Pastor Judy works with the homeless in the Ft. Myers area. Contact Judy: judyabl@embarqmail.com


Each of us is called to love and serve to follow the Spirit's call in the depths of our hearts and to serve "the world's need." That is what it means for Christians to "become Christ" each day. Sometimes all it takes is a small act of kindness.

Sometimes, it is about listening to the "worry list" and offering comfort and prayer. While she was visiting her daughter in Florida, Katy Zatsick, one of our womenpriests fell and broke her leg in four places. She is in a rehabilitation facility near Tampa recovering from this serious injury. Her ministry now is one of presence and prayer for the staff who serve at the center. Aides who assist her in the daily tasks share their stories of faith and struggle in these difficult times. Katyhas set aside an hour in the afternoon as a special time of prayer for the staff and their intentions. This is the heart of ministry, loving in the heart of God. Contact Katy at katyrcwp@gmail.com

Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, sofiabmm@aol.com

Survivors Voice Inc, Response to Vatican Spokesperson Fr. Lombardi's Statement

PRESS RELEASE November 4, 2010 For Immediate Release Contact: Gary Bergeron 978-606-3193 Survivors Voice Inc

Survivors Voice Inc, Response to Vatican Spokesperson Fr. Lombardi's Statement Clergy Abuse Survivors Respond to Vatican's Fr. Lombardi's Public Statement November 4, 2010 Boston Massachusetts: We at Survivors Voice (www.survivorsvoice.org) appreciated the invitation and opportunity extended by Vatican spokesperson Fr. Lombardi, to meet and speak during the Reformation Day gathering in Rome on October 31. We applaud and agree with his public statement that "The scourge of sexual abuse especially against minors, but also in a general way, is one of the great scourges of today's world." We also applaud and agree that "This fight must be fought by us together, uniting our forces against the spread of this scourge.." We do not agree with your statement that "The major part of the crimes belongs to times bygone". These crimes continue in every country of the world and the damage inflicted continues. In Fr. Lombardi's own words issued in his statement "Yesterday morning, 100,000 young people were present in these places for a great celebration ..." What we do not applaud and find discouraging is the fact that unless society changes the status quo surrounding the way we address the sexual abuse of children, of those 100,000 young people that Fr. Lombardi spoke of at the celebration in Rome, statistics show that 30,000 will be sexually abused before the age of 18. What is more discouraging is that Fr. Lombardi's public statement began by informing us that the statement he issued was his alone and in no way represented the official stance of the Holy See. In 2003, while in Rome, we extended an invitation to Vatican officials to engage in an open, direct and honest dialogue about childhood sexual abuse affecting children from around the globe. They declined our invitation. Several days ago, while again in Rome, we extended that same invitation. That invitation remains open, and survivors around the world remain determined to change the status quo of society's view of this issue. Fr. Lombardi, if you cannot speak in an official capacity on this issue, please forward this invitation along to someone who can. Vatican officials detained us and photo-copied our passports. I'm sure they know how to reach us. Survivors Voice Co-Founders Gary Bergeron & Bernie McDaid Contact: Gary Bergeron Phone 978-606-3193 Email garymbergeron@gmail.com Contact: Bernie McDaid Phone 617-529-2029 Email Bernie.mcdaid@gmail.com Bridget Mary's Reflection: My prayers and support to all Survivors of Sexual Abuse. May your efflorts lead to genuine reform and renewal in our beloved church which belongs to all of us, the baptized, not the hierarchy alone. We stand in solidarity with you on your journey to healing and your mission of advocacy for a more open, transparent, and safe church for Catholic children. Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP

Belgioum Archbishop's Press Officer Calls It Quits/NCRArticle

Belgium archbishop's press officer calls it quits

by John A. Dick

Nov. 03, 2010

http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/belgium-archbishops-press-officer-calls-it-quits

BRUSSELS -- "Saying his "bucket is full" the press officer for controversial Belgium Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard quit his job yesterday.

In a Nov. 2 announcement, Jürgen Mettepenningen compared Léonard's leadership to a reckless driver headed in the wrong direction."
"In October, Léonard seemed to drop exploding bombs every time he met the press. AIDS, he said, is a matter of "immanent justice" for people who misuse their bodies. Homosexuality is a form of human sexuality that has developed in the wrong way and is a disease like anorexia. And most recently —- retired pedophile priests should not be prosecuted but allowed to live out their remaining years in tranquility."

"The Belgian secular press said Léonard's statements were outlandish and disgusting. European Union President Herman Van Rompuy, a Belgian, said in a press conference that he is "shocked, disgusted and angered" about what is happening in the contemporary Belgian church. "

John A. Dick is a retired historical theologian and long-term resident of Belgium. He currently serves as director of the Jean Jadot Chair for the Study of Religion and Values in Society being established at both Louvain universities.)

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Priests and or bishops are not above the law. Clericalism is one of the major issues at the heart of the sexual abuse crisis. We all need to say enough! We also need to find ways, including financial organizations, to support whistle blowers in our church especially those who risk the ire of the hierarchy. Are there any Catholics who want to start such a foundation? I sure hope so.

"The Cost of Looking Good in the Magic Kingdom"/ $30,000 for Vestments for Archbishop Burke

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/11896488/1685814554/name/$30,000+for+vestments+(weep).pdf
"Read all about the Sacred Threads!"

Homily for the 31st Sunday – Cycle C – 31 October 2010/ Roberta Meehan, RCWP

Wisdom 11:22 – 12:2
Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
2 Thessalonians 1:11 – 2:2
Luke 19:1-10

[The Book of Wisdom is found in the Apocryphal section of some translations of the Bible.]

One of the themes brought out in today's readings is the call. We are told we are good and we are told to follow our call. Our calls are not denied and the theme of call runs throughout today's readings. But, what else is there?

Look at this phrase from the Book of Wisdom. "You [God] love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made." Were we not all made by God? Do we not all fall in this category of God loving all things that God has made? Of course we have heard since we were small children that God loves us. But, how often have we stopped and thought about how absolute and profound that statement is?

The reading goes on with, "for what you hated, you would not have fashioned." God is absolutely and positively in love with each one of us and if God were not in love with us, we simply would not be here. We would never have been here! Look at a few more phrases from Wisdom. "And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?" Have we not been willed by God? Have we not been called forth?

Sometimes words like that sound very distant. We know them in theory but do we really know them in our heart of hearts? Think of the person you find most despicable, the person you absolutely abhor. Does it hurt you to think that God loves that person with the same absolute passion that God loves you?

How does this statement of love relate to our call today? Look at the letter to the Thessalonians. "(W)e always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith." We see a very definite progression here. God is absolutely in love with each one of us and now we hear a prayer that we may be made worthy of God's call. Yes! God is calling each of us. Our calls may be temporary or our calls may be permanent. We may have a call to listen to someone for an hour or we may have a call to spend forty years as a missionary in a foreign land. We may be called to our family situation or to our profession. We may even be called to be unemployed. But, regardless, God calls each of us.

The point is that the letter to the Thessalonians is a prayer that we may be worthy of our call. Our calls are unique. They are a part of who and what we are. They are a part of our innermost beings. Are we worthy? We are working on it! We are not perfect. Think back to that question of how we react to God loving the most despicable person we can think of even as God loves us. It does not matter that we are not perfect. Only God is perfect; all we can do is strive toward perfection and ask that we may be worthy of our call. No one in Scripture was worthy of his or her call – at least not by our standards. But, every one had a call. Every one of us also has a call (or a series of calls). We can only ask to be worthy of our call. We will falter and sometimes we will fail but if we remember that our God is absolutely in love with us, our ultimate moment is not failure but the fulfillment of God's ultimate purpose for each of us.

It is interesting that the gospel today – Luke's story of that short and bossy little chief tax collector named Zacchaeus – should be a part of this series of readings on our call. Tax collectors were held in less regard in Scriptural times than they are today. The followers of Jesus certainly had no great love for Zacchaeus! He was a tax collector and he was rich. But, he knew how to answer the call! It is entirely possible that professionally he was called to be a tax collector! He was also called by Jesus. Look at what Zacchaeus had to do just to see Jesus! Somehow he got up in that sycamore tree. This may have been quite a feat for a short fellow! He felt the call – a call that extended beyond his profession as a tax collector. And he felt it so strongly that he went to extreme lengths to answer it!

But, even though Zacchaeus was seeking to see Jesus, Jesus was actually searching for Zacchaeus and Jesus told him gently to come out of the tree because he (Jesus) was going to stay at Zacchaeus' house that night. Again we see the absolute love of God – the Hound of Heaven. And what does Zacchaeus do? He prays the essence of the message from Thessalonians! He prays to be worthy. He makes a commitment to his call from God. He will give half to the poor; he will repay anyone he has cheated four-fold; he will turn his life over to God.

And, God says that salvation has come to Zacchaeus' house. Notice that we have no indication that Zacchaeus will stop being a tax collector. That may well have been and would continue to be his professional calling. We also have no indication that he will stop being rich. Even if he gives away half of his possessions, he may still have had enough to be classified as rich.

But, notice something else. His answering the call was a change of heart. He knew that God loved him absolutely. He knew he was going to make amends for any wrongdoing and he was going to turn his will and his life over to God. He was answering his call from God. We do not know if he changed his profession; we do know he changed his life. He answered the call to be who he was – the beloved child of God, doing what he could do to be what the love that God had for him called him to be.

-- Roberta M. Meehan

"Make Room for Women Priests", Activist Urges

Fr. Roy co-celebrated Ordination Liturgy
of Roman Catholic Womanpriest Janice
Sevre-Duszynska in Lexington, Kentucky,
Aug. 9, 2008
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Religion/1209393.html

Nobel nominee campaigns for Catholics to speak up, support ordination of women
By Leslie Scrivener,
The Canadian Press
Sat, Oct 30 - 4:54 AM

TORONTO — "Roy Bourgeois knows it’s not easy to change deeply held beliefs or to cast off church teaching — but he’s living proof it can be done. He grew up in a small town in Louisiana in a family of traditional Catholics."

...."Some of this momentum may be of the church’s own making. Last July, Catholics were appalled when the Vatican, in announcing revisions to its laws on abuser priests, stated that attempts to ordain women were sins as grave as pedophilia and heresy. This was interpreted as an attempt to curb any thoughts that a married clergy or women priests might be a way of reducing abuse in the clergy."

"Surveys in the U.S. and Britain show that support for women priests is about 60 per cent or higher. "These are not voices crying in the wilderness," Bourgeois says, "This is a movement whose time has come."

"He is currently on a speaking tour across the United States, and during a stop in Toronto was joined by Marie Bouclin, a 69-year-old Sudbury, Ont., mother of three who was ordained in 2007. She’s one of about 100 women around the world ordained by a group known as Roman Catholic Womenpriests."

"A former nun, she left the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa in her 20s. "I didn’t feel called to celibacy," she says. "I wanted to marry and have a family." "...Think of all the theologians who are silent. . . . Roy Bourgeois was excommunicated for supporting us. He’s a hero among Catholics and among social activists."

..." What I see is not very complicated. As a priest for 38 years, at the very core of the issue is sexism, discrimination against women. The church’s teaching excluding women doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny."

"It’s the result of centuries of patriarchy, he adds. "It’s kind of crept into our DNA."

"When the moment came for him to speak publicly, the venue was Vatican Radio, with offices across from the Pope’s residence in St. Peter’s. It was 2008 and he’d been invited to talk about what he saw as injustices in U.S. foreign policy. He had about two minutes left in a 15-minute interview. "I put it out there: There is no justice in the Catholic Church until women can be ordained. Then the station manager came in, very upset. He told the interviewer, ‘no more.’ Then a little Gregorian chant kicked in."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

Bravo, Fr. Roy Bourgeois! You are probably the first one in Vatican history that caused a crisis for Vatican Radio. I bet some sparks flew when you stood up for justice for women in our church! When you announced that "there is no justice in the Catholic Church until women can be ordained." No wonder, they pulled the plug on you. You had crossed the line for Gospel equality! The Risen Christ who appeared first to Mary of Magdala, apostle to the apostles , would be proud!

You stood then and you stand now in solidarity with Roman Catholic Womenpriests. One day, the Vatican will recant and repent. Then, you will be one of the heroes in the story of the institutional church's affirmation of women priests! Amen! As Pope Benedict has demonstrated in his canonization of an excommunicated nun, Mother Mary McKillop, excommunication is not a barrier to canonization any more! (Contact Bridget Mary at sofiabmm@aol.com)

Prosecutors Doubt Vatican Money-Laundering Pledges : By Nicole Winfield Associated Press

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_VATICAN_BANK_SCANDAL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-10-30-07-22-02

"In recent weeks the bank has made written and in-person pledges to pass anti-money laundering legislation, report and investigate suspicious transactions, identify customers to law enforcement and create a special compliance authority."

"Prosecutors, though, aren't buying any of it. They claim that even as the bank was making such overtures, it broke the law by trying to transfer money without identifying the sender or recipient, or what the money was being used for."

"Italian prosecutors have placed bank chairman Ettore Gotti Tedeschi and his deputy Paolo Cipriani under investigation and financial police seized euro23 million (US$30 million) from a Vatican bank account on Sept. 21."

"The Vatican has reacted furiously, insisting that the omission of data was just a "misunderstanding" that could be easily clarified. It tried to get the seizure lifted, but the court refused."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

This is unbelievable! When will the Vatican bank officials and the curia get it- that they are accountable to the standards of Jesus Christ in the Gospels? They are not supposed to act like a crime family! It it time for worldwide Catholics to hold the Vatican accountable! Ask yourself, what would Jesus do? Probably get that whip out and overturn some tables stacked with money in the Vatican bank!

"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.”