Pope cites St. Joan of Arc as model for political leaders
January 26, 2011
At his weekly public audience on January 26, Pope Benedict spoke about “one of those strong women who brought the light of the Gospel in history at the end of the Middle Ages”—St. Joan of Arc.
Speaking to about 3,000 people in the Paul VI auditorium, the Pope recounted the story of St. Joan’s short life: her mystical visions, her military career, her trial and martyrdom. The entirety of her life, he said, forms “a beautiful example of holiness for lay people involved in politics.”
The trial of St. Joan for heresy was “a shocking page in the history of the saints and also an illuminating page on the mystery of Church—which, in the words of Vatican II is at once holy and always in need of purification,” the Pope said. Her judges, he observed, were "theologians who lacked the charity and humility to see the action of God in this young woman." Her condemnation was unjust, and was formally overturned 25 years after her death.
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
It sure does take a long time ( around 600 years in this case) for the institutional church leadership to admit that it was wrong. I applaud Pope Benedict for his humble admission that St. Joan's trial for heresy was " a shocking page" in the history of the church, both unjust and wrong. When Joan was asked if she was bound to obey church leaders. Her response was yes, but God must be obeyed first!. (See my book, Praying with Visionary Women, for story of Joan's heroic witness in the midst of church authorities persecution.) St. Joan of Arc is not only an appropriate patron for political leaders, but also for church leaders, who at the moment are in the midst of "nunquisition", a contemporary witch hunt directed by the Vatican that is aimed at U.S. women religious because, among other things, (gasp!!!) they support women priests. What nunsense!
In addition, the Vatican, in July of 2010, placed women priests in the same despicable category of serious crimes against the church as pedophile priests!
Let us hope that Pope Benedict and the Vatican realize their error in this unjust decision. Roman Catholic Women Priests are leading the church into a new era of justice and equality for women in the church.
I pray that one day that a woman pope will apologize for the many ways the institutional church has discriminated against women in church and in society and affirm the people of God as a vibrant community of equals.
Let's keep dreaming the dream of justice and equality for women in church and society. Let us act as if the vision of partnership, equality and inclusion is a reality now in our grassroots communities now. St. Joan of Arc, courageous role model of the primacy of conscience, pray for women priests, for our supporters and for our opponents! May we follow our consciences and live with integrity Jesus' vision of Gospel equality in our time.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
sofiabmm@aol.com
Living Gospel Inclusivity and Empowerment Now- https://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/2025/10/rev-dr-bridget-mary-meehan-arcwp-chat.html
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
"Tussling Over Jesus" Nicholas Kristof/New York Times/ Many Catholics Support Excommunicated Nun and Hospital that Saved Pregnant Woman's Life
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/opinion/27kristof.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
"The National Catholic Reporter newspaper put it best: “Just days before Christians celebrated Christmas, Jesus got evicted.”
"The thought that keeps nagging at me is this: If you look at Bishop Olmsted and Sister Margaret as the protagonists in this battle, one of them truly seems to me to have emulated the life of Jesus. And it’s not the bishop, who has spent much of his adult life as a Vatican bureaucrat climbing the career ladder. It’s Sister Margaret, who like so many nuns has toiled for decades on behalf of the neediest and sickest among us...."
"Then along comes Bishop Olmsted to excommunicate the Christ-like figure in our story. If Jesus were around today, he might sue the bishop for defamation."....
...."Yet in this battle, it’s fascinating how much support St. Joseph’s Hospital has had and how firmly it has pushed back — in effect, pounding 95 theses on the bishop’s door. The hospital backed up Sister Margaret, and it rejected the bishop’s demand that it never again terminate a pregnancy to save the life of a mother.
Anne Rice, the author and a commentator on Catholicism, sees a potential turning point. “St. Joseph’s refusal to knuckle under to the bishop is huge,” she told me, adding: “Maybe rank-and-file Catholics are finally talking back to a hierarchy that long ago deserted them.”
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Amen to Sister Margaret and St. Joseph's Hospital for their compassionate stance that saved the life of a pregnant woman. The -take away- message for Bishop Olmsted and the hierarchy is -- if your moral theology does not reflect the compassion of Jesus Christ and you persist in employing excommunication against nuns like Sr. Margaret and institutions like St. Joseph's Hospital, you will further alienate Catholics who follow their consciences in their moral decision-making . The male hierarchy are simply undermining their own authority.
The bottom line is what would Jesus do? I believe he would stand with Sr. Margaret and St. Joseph's team in opting to save the life they could save- the pregnant woman's. All of us need to ask ourselves if bishops intervene in such cases in Catholic hospitals in the future, will pregnant women feel safe? Will Catholic hospitals disobey a bishop who mandates that no life-saving procedure is allowed for pregnant women in similar situations? Will Catholics support hospitals like St. Joseph? Will they refuse to support hospitals that are under the control of a male hierarchy? This is another reason we need women priests and women bishops!
Looks like Catholics may have made up their minds with the outpouring of support that St. Joseph has received from the public including prominent Catholic commentators. I wonder if the Vatican will speak up next!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
"The National Catholic Reporter newspaper put it best: “Just days before Christians celebrated Christmas, Jesus got evicted.”
"The thought that keeps nagging at me is this: If you look at Bishop Olmsted and Sister Margaret as the protagonists in this battle, one of them truly seems to me to have emulated the life of Jesus. And it’s not the bishop, who has spent much of his adult life as a Vatican bureaucrat climbing the career ladder. It’s Sister Margaret, who like so many nuns has toiled for decades on behalf of the neediest and sickest among us...."
"Then along comes Bishop Olmsted to excommunicate the Christ-like figure in our story. If Jesus were around today, he might sue the bishop for defamation."....
...."Yet in this battle, it’s fascinating how much support St. Joseph’s Hospital has had and how firmly it has pushed back — in effect, pounding 95 theses on the bishop’s door. The hospital backed up Sister Margaret, and it rejected the bishop’s demand that it never again terminate a pregnancy to save the life of a mother.
Anne Rice, the author and a commentator on Catholicism, sees a potential turning point. “St. Joseph’s refusal to knuckle under to the bishop is huge,” she told me, adding: “Maybe rank-and-file Catholics are finally talking back to a hierarchy that long ago deserted them.”
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Amen to Sister Margaret and St. Joseph's Hospital for their compassionate stance that saved the life of a pregnant woman. The -take away- message for Bishop Olmsted and the hierarchy is -- if your moral theology does not reflect the compassion of Jesus Christ and you persist in employing excommunication against nuns like Sr. Margaret and institutions like St. Joseph's Hospital, you will further alienate Catholics who follow their consciences in their moral decision-making . The male hierarchy are simply undermining their own authority.
The bottom line is what would Jesus do? I believe he would stand with Sr. Margaret and St. Joseph's team in opting to save the life they could save- the pregnant woman's. All of us need to ask ourselves if bishops intervene in such cases in Catholic hospitals in the future, will pregnant women feel safe? Will Catholic hospitals disobey a bishop who mandates that no life-saving procedure is allowed for pregnant women in similar situations? Will Catholics support hospitals like St. Joseph? Will they refuse to support hospitals that are under the control of a male hierarchy? This is another reason we need women priests and women bishops!
Looks like Catholics may have made up their minds with the outpouring of support that St. Joseph has received from the public including prominent Catholic commentators. I wonder if the Vatican will speak up next!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Pastor Judy Lee, RCWP, Shares Good News Story: A Couple's Journey from Homelessnes to a Home in Ft. Myers, Florida
left to right:
Robert, Pastor Judy, and Beverly
(seated)
Our people love to sing “This Little Light of Mine”, a simple song about letting your light shine. We sing it in our Tuesday prayer and Bible Study time before the meal, and we sing it on Sunday in church with the poor who have a hot meal and Sunday School afterward. But, it is not so easy to be the light when it means sharing your bread, and spending your very selves with the poor as Isaiah says. Often we are truly spent. It is, however, far more difficult to be homeless and to be poor and hungry. And so I begin with a story we have duplicated in some version at least thirty times this year.
It is a story of a couple who moved from homelessness, hunger and poverty to having a home and an income. Beverly and Robert Kolhoff are a married couple in their fifties who have been sporadically homeless for several years depending on Ron’s employment. They have asked me to share their story using their own names as they hope that the story may help someone they know or a stranger. Robert is a good worker who has been clean and sober for five years (since they were married) but his age (59) and the economy are powerful factors in his unemployment. Beverly, despite arthritis, held a supervisory level clerical job but she lost it as she suffers from major depression exacerbated by the tragic death of her son. When we first met them in Lion’s Park in 2008, they lived in the woods in a small tent that we gave them and her mental and physical health worsened as she tried to cope with the harsh conditions of living outside. Robert found a job in his home state of Ohio and we paid for their tickets. He worked there for several months and they lived modestly well but when the job was over they were homeless again.
They returned to Florida and sporadic employment. They shuttled from the woods to a motel as they could. Finally he worked enough to get unemployment insurance when the job stopped. They were then able to afford a small room in a very crowded and run down house. This was a step up and was minimally acceptable until unemployment benefits were cut in July of 2010.
Now they faced living outside again and Beverly fell apart. They turned to us in desperation. We gave them enough money to hold their room for a while and had Robert work for us on occasion to make ends barely meet. We helped Beverly to receive mental health treatment and apply for Social Security Disability Insurance. They also applied for public housing for the disabled over 55. All resources were now gone and Beverly, terrified of returning to the woods, had new profound mental health symptoms. She was voluntarily hospitalized. She was barely coping and Robert was distraught at seeing this happen and her difficult adjustment to the medications. He accompanied her weekly to see me. She began to feel better and wrote two poems and did art work reflecting her thankfulness to God for a return of hope. She is phobic of crowds but came one Tuesday to our worship to ask for prayer, give us her poetry and tell the group gathered that the ministry was saving her life.
This opened the door for several others to say the same thing in a moment of pure light and grace. We were so moved by this, especially as it was a major effort on her part. The core group was wonderful in reaching out to her and offering prayer and support. But, had there not been a few miracles they may have had to return to the woods as they waited for a reinstatement of unemployment insurance and what is usually a long wait for housing. Miracle number one was receiving news from the housing supervisor that they had several unexpected openings and Robert and Beverly were in the next cohort of those called for an interview. If they had all of their papers ready they could probably get in soon. Beverly then realized that she had lost her Birth Certificate. We immediately applied for it from Ohio and, miracle two, got it quickly. They were ready and within three weeks got their own little apartment with an awesome river view, their first real home. They had no furniture and, lo and behold, someone called up and offered a queen size bed and delivered it! The Lamb of God Thrift store then cut prices to a bare minimum and the apartment was thereby furnished.
Beverly was so happy that she returned to her crafting and took a bed sheet with a dolphin print on it and made curtains, lamp shades, covered shelves and a wall covering. She then fashioned jigsaw puzzles of sea and land creatures into three dimension masterpieces in an old fish tank, and their home was truly beautiful for our first visit and home blessing.
When we visited again with a Christmas dinner, they had already invited Mario, another formerly homeless man who lived by himself upstairs to share dinner with them, saying that they were now “family” through the Ministry. The final miracle happened about three weeks later. Beverly was approved for SSI and the first check arrived to her utter amazement. Now the family has a home and an income, but most of all, says Beverly, she has her mental health back as she lives with some basic security and diligently follows up on her treatment plan.
As we begin our fourth year of service as Good Shepherd Ministries of SWFL, Inc., and look back on 2010, there is so much to be thankful for that it is difficult to pull it all together so the light can shine. We are especially glad for the thirty plus volunteers (Roman Catholic and Lutheran-Episcopal and other backgrounds) that help us with cooking and regularly donating other items. An additional six people ( five are Roman Catholic from this diocese ) have become regular members of our Good Shepherd church, worshipping with us regularly and sharing the work of the church. We are glad for many stories like Beverly and Robert's, though not all have such wonderful “endings”.
It often takes years to get housing or benefits. Many cannot access health services without incomes, and many are sick and too afraid of physical or mental health services to use them, and alcohol and drug addiction and troubled relationships may cause setbacks and bumpy and painful rolls down hill. But with tiny steps each one can and does move forward toward the light. In 2010 we helped 30 people to move from homelessness into housing making our total 48 individuals, including two families with five children, housed. For all of these miracles we join our people in saying "Thanks be to God!"The attached are pictures of Robert and Beverly who are very happy to share their success story here.
Pastor Judy Lee is a Roman Catholic Women Priest
who ministers to and with the homeless in Ft. Myers, Florida
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
Sister Theresa Kane, RSM: A Vision for the Catholic Community in the 21st Century
"I want to identify what I listed as four qualities. There are many more; and I encourage you to think about qualities that will bring about this Church as community in the 21st century. "
"The ones that I listed were:
A passion for social justice;
A gospel mandate for solidarity with economically poor people;
A discipleship of equals; and
A zeal, and I say a passion, and a thirst, for peace and non-violence."
"I think we also have a Gospel mandate for solidarity with the economically poor people. The essence of the Gospel is a challenge of justice; and it’s also the works of mercy. I mean, we know what Jesus did. He went around. He fed the poor people. He raised the dead. He comforted people. He was doing the works of mercy all the time. He did justice. He did social justice. "
,,, "We need to be extremely conscious to say, “Are we indeed a discipleship of equals?” We have to look at our habits and our customs. And many of our customs have been institutionalized into mindsets, structures and systems. So when I again refer to sexist language people will say, “Well, it’s really not a problem for me, because I know it doesn’t mean men. I know it means women as well as men,” you see. But it’s part of our customs. In a sense we’ve been propagandized to think that that’s all right. We even hear it very often on our television programs, where we use the male language, and we don’t do the inclusive language, we don’t use the female. So we won’t have a discipleship of equals if we don’t become conscious that we are women and men forming this community. I believe a discipleship of equals means the absence of chauvinism, machoism, imperialism, subjugation, inferiority and superiority. ..".
From: ELEPHANTS IN THE LIVING ROOM
Website: elephantsinthelivingroom.com
sr. theresa kane, rsm
a vision for the catholic community
in the 21st century
mercy center
farmington hills, mi
january 6, 2011
"The ones that I listed were:
A passion for social justice;
A gospel mandate for solidarity with economically poor people;
A discipleship of equals; and
A zeal, and I say a passion, and a thirst, for peace and non-violence."
"I think we also have a Gospel mandate for solidarity with the economically poor people. The essence of the Gospel is a challenge of justice; and it’s also the works of mercy. I mean, we know what Jesus did. He went around. He fed the poor people. He raised the dead. He comforted people. He was doing the works of mercy all the time. He did justice. He did social justice. "
,,, "We need to be extremely conscious to say, “Are we indeed a discipleship of equals?” We have to look at our habits and our customs. And many of our customs have been institutionalized into mindsets, structures and systems. So when I again refer to sexist language people will say, “Well, it’s really not a problem for me, because I know it doesn’t mean men. I know it means women as well as men,” you see. But it’s part of our customs. In a sense we’ve been propagandized to think that that’s all right. We even hear it very often on our television programs, where we use the male language, and we don’t do the inclusive language, we don’t use the female. So we won’t have a discipleship of equals if we don’t become conscious that we are women and men forming this community. I believe a discipleship of equals means the absence of chauvinism, machoism, imperialism, subjugation, inferiority and superiority. ..".
From: ELEPHANTS IN THE LIVING ROOM
Website: elephantsinthelivingroom.com
sr. theresa kane, rsm
a vision for the catholic community
in the 21st century
mercy center
farmington hills, mi
january 6, 2011
Equally Blessed Coalition Accuse Diocese of Colorado Springs of "Bad Theology"/Need Equally Blessed InclusiveTheology Worthy of God and our Church
contact: Jim Naughton, 202-288-5125,
jim@canticlecommunications.com
"Coalition urges Catholics to recognize fruits of lifelong, committed relationships"
January 20, 2011—
Equally Blessed, a coalition of four Roman Catholic organizations that support full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families both in the church and in civil society, today called upon the Diocese of Colorado Springs to reconsider its decision to offer a 12-step program for LGBT Catholics in which participants are asked to state that they are “defective.”
“We are all sinners, but in this instance, the sin lies not in gay and lesbian Catholics, but in those who describe children of God in such demeaning language,” said Frank DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, an Equally Blessed partner.
“The notion that homosexuality is an illness similar to alcoholism or addiction to narcotics finds no support in psychological literature,” DeBernardo added. “But you don’t need an advanced degree to understand that the fruits of lifelong, committed, monogamous relationships are quite different than the damage and heartache done by chemical dependencies.”
Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan has said that the diocesan program is different than the widely discredited “reparative therapy” programs favored by organizations such as Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council, and seeks only to support participants in living a chaste life.
“We appreciate the bishop’s pastoral intentions and his rejection of reparative therapy, but this 12-step initiative points out a contradiction at the core of church teaching,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, an Equally Blessed partner.
“Catholics are taught that heterosexual celibacy is an act of heroic sacrifice accomplished through special grace, while homosexual celibacy is simply mandatory—part of the hand thatGod dealt you. Perhaps unwittingly, the church has made God the author of human prejudice. And that’s not very good theology.
“There are many community programs and churches in Colorado Springs that can provide support for LGBT people and families seeking to live with integrity and joy,” said Duddy-Burke.“We encourage people who are interested to find places that will offer affirmation and positive guidance.”
Equally Blessed suggests that Catholics who support equality for lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered people share their views with Bishop Sheridan by writing him at the DiocesanPastoral Center, 228 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
Equally Blessed is a coalition of Call To Action, DignityUSA, Fortunate Families, and New Ways Ministry. We are faithful Catholics who have worked more than a combined 112 years to support full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families both in the church and in civil society.
http://www.fortunatefamilies.com/docs/statement12step.pdf
Casey Lopata, Fortunate Families, Inc. PO Box 18082 Rochester, NY 14618-0082585-698-6100 www.fortunatefamilies.orginfo@fortunatefamilies.com
Bridget Mary's Reflection: "Reject Defective Theology, Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered are Equally Blessed/ Need Inclusive Theology Worthy of God and our Church"
How long, O God, how long will it take for the institutional Roman Catholic Church to affirm gays, lesbians and the transgendered as beloved sisters and brothers, equally blessed and not "defective." It is ironic that the hierarchy continue to push the "bad theology" that LGBT Catholics are "defective ", when according to experts, like Father Donald Cozzens, 50% of Roman Catholic clergy are gay!
"Father Donald Cozzens, an author, psychologist, and Catholic seminary president says that there is such a high percentage of gay priests in the church that he is concerned that 'the priesthood is or is becoming a gay profession.' In his book, "The Changing Face of the Priesthood," -- published in the year 2000 -- he estimates that 50% of Roman Catholic priests have a homosexual orientation."
"Richard Sipe, a psychotherapist and former priest, has studied celibacy, chastity, and sexuality in the priesthood for four decades. He has authored three books on the topic. He is quoted as estimating that between 25% and 45% of American priests are homosexual in orientation. Dr. Richard Sipe told the Boston Globe: "If they were to eliminate all those who were homosexually oriented, the number would be so staggering that it would be like an atomic bomb; it would do the same damage to the church's operation...It would mean the resignation of at least a third of the bishops of the world. And it's very much against the tradition of the church; many saints had a gay orientation, and many popes had gay orientations. Discriminating against orientation is not going to solve the problem." See article for more statistics and analysis by church experts: http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_rcc.htm
It is time for the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church to step out of the closet of fear and denial and acknowledge the reality that no one, including priests and bishops with a homosexual orientation are defective. Imagine what a change that would bring in the Catholic Church! Imagine Pope Benedict affirming an "equally blessed" theology in a new pastoral letter!
We believe God does not make junk, and all persons are created in God's image. Therefore, all are equals in God's family. Our gay, lesbian and transgendered sisters and brothers have suffered too long in our homophobic institutional Roman Catholic Church. Let us profess and live the acceptance, gratitude and love that is in the heart of God for all. Now, this is an inclusive "equally blessed"theology that is worthy of our God, our LGBT sisters and brothers and the Roman Catholic Church.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.assocationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
jim@canticlecommunications.com
"Coalition urges Catholics to recognize fruits of lifelong, committed relationships"
January 20, 2011—
Equally Blessed, a coalition of four Roman Catholic organizations that support full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families both in the church and in civil society, today called upon the Diocese of Colorado Springs to reconsider its decision to offer a 12-step program for LGBT Catholics in which participants are asked to state that they are “defective.”
“We are all sinners, but in this instance, the sin lies not in gay and lesbian Catholics, but in those who describe children of God in such demeaning language,” said Frank DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, an Equally Blessed partner.
“The notion that homosexuality is an illness similar to alcoholism or addiction to narcotics finds no support in psychological literature,” DeBernardo added. “But you don’t need an advanced degree to understand that the fruits of lifelong, committed, monogamous relationships are quite different than the damage and heartache done by chemical dependencies.”
Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan has said that the diocesan program is different than the widely discredited “reparative therapy” programs favored by organizations such as Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council, and seeks only to support participants in living a chaste life.
“We appreciate the bishop’s pastoral intentions and his rejection of reparative therapy, but this 12-step initiative points out a contradiction at the core of church teaching,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, an Equally Blessed partner.
“Catholics are taught that heterosexual celibacy is an act of heroic sacrifice accomplished through special grace, while homosexual celibacy is simply mandatory—part of the hand thatGod dealt you. Perhaps unwittingly, the church has made God the author of human prejudice. And that’s not very good theology.
“There are many community programs and churches in Colorado Springs that can provide support for LGBT people and families seeking to live with integrity and joy,” said Duddy-Burke.“We encourage people who are interested to find places that will offer affirmation and positive guidance.”
Equally Blessed suggests that Catholics who support equality for lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered people share their views with Bishop Sheridan by writing him at the DiocesanPastoral Center, 228 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
Equally Blessed is a coalition of Call To Action, DignityUSA, Fortunate Families, and New Ways Ministry. We are faithful Catholics who have worked more than a combined 112 years to support full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families both in the church and in civil society.
http://www.fortunatefamilies.com/docs/statement12step.pdf
Casey Lopata, Fortunate Families, Inc. PO Box 18082 Rochester, NY 14618-0082585-698-6100 www.fortunatefamilies.orginfo@fortunatefamilies.com
Bridget Mary's Reflection: "Reject Defective Theology, Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered are Equally Blessed/ Need Inclusive Theology Worthy of God and our Church"
How long, O God, how long will it take for the institutional Roman Catholic Church to affirm gays, lesbians and the transgendered as beloved sisters and brothers, equally blessed and not "defective." It is ironic that the hierarchy continue to push the "bad theology" that LGBT Catholics are "defective ", when according to experts, like Father Donald Cozzens, 50% of Roman Catholic clergy are gay!
"Father Donald Cozzens, an author, psychologist, and Catholic seminary president says that there is such a high percentage of gay priests in the church that he is concerned that 'the priesthood is or is becoming a gay profession.' In his book, "The Changing Face of the Priesthood," -- published in the year 2000 -- he estimates that 50% of Roman Catholic priests have a homosexual orientation."
"Richard Sipe, a psychotherapist and former priest, has studied celibacy, chastity, and sexuality in the priesthood for four decades. He has authored three books on the topic. He is quoted as estimating that between 25% and 45% of American priests are homosexual in orientation. Dr. Richard Sipe told the Boston Globe: "If they were to eliminate all those who were homosexually oriented, the number would be so staggering that it would be like an atomic bomb; it would do the same damage to the church's operation...It would mean the resignation of at least a third of the bishops of the world. And it's very much against the tradition of the church; many saints had a gay orientation, and many popes had gay orientations. Discriminating against orientation is not going to solve the problem." See article for more statistics and analysis by church experts: http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_rcc.htm
It is time for the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church to step out of the closet of fear and denial and acknowledge the reality that no one, including priests and bishops with a homosexual orientation are defective. Imagine what a change that would bring in the Catholic Church! Imagine Pope Benedict affirming an "equally blessed" theology in a new pastoral letter!
We believe God does not make junk, and all persons are created in God's image. Therefore, all are equals in God's family. Our gay, lesbian and transgendered sisters and brothers have suffered too long in our homophobic institutional Roman Catholic Church. Let us profess and live the acceptance, gratitude and love that is in the heart of God for all. Now, this is an inclusive "equally blessed"theology that is worthy of our God, our LGBT sisters and brothers and the Roman Catholic Church.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.assocationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Monday, January 24, 2011
Courageous Priest Robert Marrone Threatened by Bishop for Celebrating Masses with Congregation after Cleveland Diocese Closed Parish
http://connect.cleveland.com/user/momalle/index.html>
by Michael O Malley, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "Bishop Richard Lennon of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese has threatened the Rev. Robert Marrone with punishment through church law for celebrating unauthorized Masses in a breakaway church. "
"Marrone and his congregation set up worship space in a commercial building in August, four months after Lennon closed their parish, St. Peter's near downtown Cleveland. "
"On Wednesday, Lennon handed Marrone a letter saying the priest was engaged in "scandal" and "corruption" by saying Masses in a space not sanctioned by the diocese. "
"Today, 48 hours past the deadline, Marrone read to his congregation a letter he had sent to the bishop in response to the threat: "It is my decision to remain in my present position with the Community of St. Peter."
The congregation of about 300 people jumped to its feet in applause and shouts of "Bravo!"
..."In his sermon, before he announced the bishop's threat, he talked about visiting Ireland and seeing myriad shades of green across the landscape. He compared the shades to different groups of Christianity, yet they are all of the same color. "
"The church of Jesus Christ is wide and open," he said. "The church is like the Irish landscape. Differences are not unhealthy. The wonder of our faith is our ability to embrace them."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Bravo, Fr. Robert Marrone and the Community of St. Peter, for your courage and prophetic obedience to the Spirit of God as you witness your fidelity to the Gospel and love for your beloved faith community! Indeed, the church is " "like the Irish landscape, wide and open" and able to embrace differences with respect and loving acceptance. Do not be afraid of excommunication or any other ecclesial punishment. Pope Benedict canonized two excommunicated nuns so far! So , like Roman Catholic Women Priests and others who have been condemned by the hierarchy, you too could be on the fast track to canonization, role models for a future generation of Catholics!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
by Michael O Malley, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "Bishop Richard Lennon of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese has threatened the Rev. Robert Marrone with punishment through church law for celebrating unauthorized Masses in a breakaway church. "
"Marrone and his congregation set up worship space in a commercial building in August, four months after Lennon closed their parish, St. Peter's near downtown Cleveland. "
"On Wednesday, Lennon handed Marrone a letter saying the priest was engaged in "scandal" and "corruption" by saying Masses in a space not sanctioned by the diocese. "
"Today, 48 hours past the deadline, Marrone read to his congregation a letter he had sent to the bishop in response to the threat: "It is my decision to remain in my present position with the Community of St. Peter."
The congregation of about 300 people jumped to its feet in applause and shouts of "Bravo!"
..."In his sermon, before he announced the bishop's threat, he talked about visiting Ireland and seeing myriad shades of green across the landscape. He compared the shades to different groups of Christianity, yet they are all of the same color. "
"The church of Jesus Christ is wide and open," he said. "The church is like the Irish landscape. Differences are not unhealthy. The wonder of our faith is our ability to embrace them."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Bravo, Fr. Robert Marrone and the Community of St. Peter, for your courage and prophetic obedience to the Spirit of God as you witness your fidelity to the Gospel and love for your beloved faith community! Indeed, the church is " "like the Irish landscape, wide and open" and able to embrace differences with respect and loving acceptance. Do not be afraid of excommunication or any other ecclesial punishment. Pope Benedict canonized two excommunicated nuns so far! So , like Roman Catholic Women Priests and others who have been condemned by the hierarchy, you too could be on the fast track to canonization, role models for a future generation of Catholics!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
"Women in the Sacramental Priesthood" by Bernard Cooke and Pauline Turner/ Roman Catholic Women Priests Renewing Eucharistic Celebrations
"Women In the Sacramental Priesthood"
by Bernard Cooke and Pauline Turner
from Women Priests, Arlene Swidler & Leonard Swidler (eds.), Paulist Press 1977, pp. 249-250.
..."Early Christianity avoids applying to any individual in the Church the term “priest.” Only Jesus himself is designated this way, and the term is extended to the community (1Pet 2:4-6) because it is the body of the risen Christ. Christian priesthood is, therefore, a power and a function that Christians bear corporately, which they exercise corporately in the sacramental liturgies, and to which they give expression in the intrinsic sacramentality of their entire life as a community of faith (Vatican II, “Church,” 31, 34)... "
"Given the fact that the entire Christian community does the eucharistic action, that the entire community professes its faith prophetically in the eucharistic proclamation, that the entire community shares the eucharistic sacrifcial meal, there is a special role played by the celebrant (Vatican II, “Liturgy,” 7, 10, 14). Obviously, this is a complex role, a highly specialized instance of leadership; but the heart of this role—as the Declaration accurately indicates—consists in the celebrant’s being a sacrament within a sacrament..."
..."Early Christianity avoids applying to any individual in the Church the term “priest.” Only Jesus himself is designated this way, and the term is extended to the community (1Pet 2:4-6) because it is the body of the risen Christ. Christian priesthood is, therefore, a power and a function that Christians bear corporately, which they exercise corporately in the sacramental liturgies, and to which they give expression in the intrinsic sacramentality of their entire life as a community of faith (Vatican II, “Church,” 31, 34)... "
"Given the fact that the entire Christian community does the eucharistic action, that the entire community professes its faith prophetically in the eucharistic proclamation, that the entire community shares the eucharistic sacrifcial meal, there is a special role played by the celebrant (Vatican II, “Liturgy,” 7, 10, 14). Obviously, this is a complex role, a highly specialized instance of leadership; but the heart of this role—as the Declaration accurately indicates—consists in the celebrant’s being a sacrament within a sacrament..."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
According to Cooke in The Future of Eucharist, while individuals may have specific functions within the gathered assembly, the entire community performs the Eucharistic action. (p. 32.) Therefore the gathered assembly is the celebrant of Eucharist. It is the community that "does" the Eucharist, not the Presider alone.
Historical scholarship supports this conclusion and goes even further. Dr. Gary Macy concludes that from his research that in the Middle Ages manuscripts, regardless of who spoke the words of consecration, man or woman, ordained or community, the Christ Presence became a reality among the assembly.
This is the reason in our liturgies that the entire community recites the words of consecration. At our Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Communty liturgies, we invite members of the assembly to recite sections of the Eucharistic Prayer as they gather around the altar. Roman Catholic Women Priests are reclaiming the early Christian tradition that the community is the celebrant of liturgy. We are offering the gift of a renewed priestly ministry in partnership with the people we serve in a community of equals. This gift, although not appreciated by the Vatican at the moment, is a genuine gift to the Catholic community that is bringing new life, inclusiveness and creativity to the church and beyond.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Sunday, January 23, 2011
"God is not 3 guys: Martin Luther King and Catholics"
http://godisnot3guyscom-jeanette.blogspot.com/2011/01/king-catholics.html
"Another center is Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP), and a third is the Catholic press, publications such as National Catholic Reporter and America. ""Here are quotations from King’s Letter and their relevance to the conflict in the Catholic Church. "
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
"Church rulings with unjust effects for some threaten unjust effects for everyone. The whole institution is undermined by these:• excluding women from ordination and governance, • punishing persons who demonstrate exceptional moral courage (Roy Bourgeois and others for supporting women priests),• punishing Catholic health care institutions for disobeying bishops whose decisions ethicists disagree with"•...
"Another center is Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP), and a third is the Catholic press, publications such as National Catholic Reporter and America. ""Here are quotations from King’s Letter and their relevance to the conflict in the Catholic Church. "
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
"Church rulings with unjust effects for some threaten unjust effects for everyone. The whole institution is undermined by these:• excluding women from ordination and governance, • punishing persons who demonstrate exceptional moral courage (Roy Bourgeois and others for supporting women priests),• punishing Catholic health care institutions for disobeying bishops whose decisions ethicists disagree with"•...
Saturday, January 22, 2011
German Catholic Politicians Call for Married Priests
http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-54322320110122
German Catholic politicians call for married priests
BERLIN Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:46am IST
(Reuters) - "Several prominent Roman Catholic politicians have urged German bishops to lobby their countryman Pope Benedict for a change in Church policy to ordain married men in response to a worsening shortage of priests."
"The group, including the speaker of parliament and a cabinet member, backed up its call by quoting a 1970 essay by the present pope where he predicts the Church "will know new forms of ministry and ordain upstanding (lay) Christians as priests."
"The German bishops estimate that two-thirds of all Catholic parishes in the country will not have their own priest by 2020. .."
"German Catholicism was shaken by the sexual abuse scandals that swept through Europe last year. Some critics blame clerical abuse of minors on celibacy, a link the Church denies."
"In the wake of the scandals, polls have found that about a quarter of German Catholics are considering leaving the Church."
German Catholic politicians call for married priests
BERLIN Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:46am IST
(Reuters) - "Several prominent Roman Catholic politicians have urged German bishops to lobby their countryman Pope Benedict for a change in Church policy to ordain married men in response to a worsening shortage of priests."
"The group, including the speaker of parliament and a cabinet member, backed up its call by quoting a 1970 essay by the present pope where he predicts the Church "will know new forms of ministry and ordain upstanding (lay) Christians as priests."
"The German bishops estimate that two-thirds of all Catholic parishes in the country will not have their own priest by 2020. .."
"German Catholicism was shaken by the sexual abuse scandals that swept through Europe last year. Some critics blame clerical abuse of minors on celibacy, a link the Church denies."
"In the wake of the scandals, polls have found that about a quarter of German Catholics are considering leaving the Church."
Are Catholic Bishops Losing Authority or Have Catholics Evolved in Moral Decisions?
NCR: Are strong declarations of doctrine the right answer to contemporary culture?
http://ncronline.org/
"What does it mean, then, when a bishop (or bishops) draws a line in the sand, only to have it washed away beneath a tide of Catholic expert analysis or the consciences of faithful Catholics or other recognized Catholic leaders who come to different conclusions?"
“Once upon a time nuns, no matter what they thought of their bishops, would probably be willing to go along” with pronouncements even if they disagreed with them, said Margaret Steinfels, codirector of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University in New York. At least, she said, “they would not go public on these matters. And now, they’re willing to.”
Keehan, on the health care debate, “is absolutely right, and I suspect she has a vast number of Catholics agreeing with her,” Steinfels told NCR in an interview.
Different kinds of authority
That debate and the one surrounding the hospital controversy in Phoenix demonstrate “the fact that there are many different kinds of authority or credibility,” she said. “If the bishop is merely asserting a juridical authority here, claiming that church teaching has been violated, Sr. McBride has all sorts of other kinds of authority” validating her view, said Steinfels. “She has the opinion of the medical professionals who say this was necessary to save the life of the mother.”
The pregnant mother of four who was dying also brought an authority to the situation, she said. “A lot of people,” said Steinfels, “think that bishops haven’t the foggiest idea of what it means to be pregnant, or to be pregnant and sick, or to be pregnant and dying. I’m not opposed to juridical authority. After all, we depend on it in many ways, either in the state or in the church.” But, she said, people today weigh against juridical authority “many other types of authority or ideas about what should have happened, and the bishop’s authority has been found wanting.”
Such open debates and disagreements, she said, might signal a crisis of authority, “but I think what we’re seeing is the evolution of an adult church.”
http://ncronline.org/
"What does it mean, then, when a bishop (or bishops) draws a line in the sand, only to have it washed away beneath a tide of Catholic expert analysis or the consciences of faithful Catholics or other recognized Catholic leaders who come to different conclusions?"
“Once upon a time nuns, no matter what they thought of their bishops, would probably be willing to go along” with pronouncements even if they disagreed with them, said Margaret Steinfels, codirector of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University in New York. At least, she said, “they would not go public on these matters. And now, they’re willing to.”
Keehan, on the health care debate, “is absolutely right, and I suspect she has a vast number of Catholics agreeing with her,” Steinfels told NCR in an interview.
Different kinds of authority
That debate and the one surrounding the hospital controversy in Phoenix demonstrate “the fact that there are many different kinds of authority or credibility,” she said. “If the bishop is merely asserting a juridical authority here, claiming that church teaching has been violated, Sr. McBride has all sorts of other kinds of authority” validating her view, said Steinfels. “She has the opinion of the medical professionals who say this was necessary to save the life of the mother.”
The pregnant mother of four who was dying also brought an authority to the situation, she said. “A lot of people,” said Steinfels, “think that bishops haven’t the foggiest idea of what it means to be pregnant, or to be pregnant and sick, or to be pregnant and dying. I’m not opposed to juridical authority. After all, we depend on it in many ways, either in the state or in the church.” But, she said, people today weigh against juridical authority “many other types of authority or ideas about what should have happened, and the bishop’s authority has been found wanting.”
Such open debates and disagreements, she said, might signal a crisis of authority, “but I think what we’re seeing is the evolution of an adult church.”
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Yes, I do believe that Margaret Steinfels has it right. Nuns, like Sister Carol Keehan of Catholic Health Care West, speak up for patient's rights, including pregnant women's rights to life in situations when that life is threatened and can be saved. Nuns are no longer afraid of incurring the wrath of the bishops or the Vatican for that matter. (Read about the backfire of Vatican's investigations of nuns. Hint, U.S. Catholics supported the good Sisters and stopped writing checks.)
As the article states bishops have no idea what it means to be pregnant and sick or pregnant and dying. Neither does anyone who has not been pregnant. In the Phoenix case where a pregnant woman was facing death, the ethics board made a decision to save her life. The Bishop of Phoenix excommunicated Sr. McBride, the nun who was on this ethics board, for participating in this decision . Later, he removed St. Joseph's official status as a "Catholic" hospital. In the battle of "authorities", the bishop represents one authority, but there are other authorities that must be heard- in this case the medical professionals and the pregnant woman. I agree that we are witnessing a transformation of consciousness that points to adults making moral decisions according to the principles of the Gospel and the wisdom of the lived experience of their faith. It appears that the majority of Catholics agreed with the ethics board and not the Bishop of Phoenix in this tragic case. St. Joseph's Hospital continues to receive public support from the people for their decision not to cede to the authority of the bishop. The irony is that now St. Joseph's Hospital, although no longer officially recognized as a "Catholic" hospital has become truly "catholic" because the community of faith has affirmed its compassionate care and courageous stance to speak truth to power and protect life, including pregnant women's lives. This is a victory for the common sense branch of the Roman Catholic Church-- the people of God, who make ethical decisions all the time that reflect Jesus' vision in the Gospels in their daily lives. (See link to article below)
"Earth to male Roman Catholic bishops", listen to the voice of God speaking through the people of God including women! We are witnessing the full equality of women in our times and it is about time!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
http://ncronline.org/news/withdrawal-catholic-status-impacted-hospitals-operations-little
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Vatican: 1997 Irish Abuse Letter 'Misunderstood'/ Will Irish Bishops Push Vatican Toward Reform?
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_IRELAND_CATHOLIC_ABUSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Vatican: 1997 Irish abuse letter 'misunderstood'
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) --" In a new round of damage control, the Vatican insisted Wednesday that a 1997 letter warning Irish bishops against reporting priests suspected of sex abuse to police had been "deeply misunderstood."
"The Associated Press on Tuesday reported the contents of the letter, in which the Vatican's top diplomat in Ireland told bishops that their policy of mandatory reporting such cases to police "gives rise to serious reservations of both a moral and canonical nature."
"The letter confirms that the cover-up goes as far as the Vatican, that Vatican officials knew exactly what was going on, and that they proactively sought to deter Irish bishops from cooperating with civil authorities in Ireland," said Andrew Madden, a former Dublin altar boy who was raped repeatedly by a priest, Ivan Payne, in the 1980s.
"This letter also documents how the church remained of the view that it is a law unto itself, how its rules and regulations regarding the handling of a criminal offense take precedence over civil society's laws," said Madden, who in 1995" became the first victim in Ireland to go public with a lawsuit against the church.
..."Yet as a result of the 1997 letter, most Irish dioceses never implemented the 1996 commitment to report all suspected abuse cases to police, according to the conclusions of the government-mandated investigation into the Dublin Archdiocese published in 2009."
"This in fact never took place because of the response of Rome," the commission said in its report, although it quoted Dublin Archdiocese officials as saying it was implemented there."
"That eight-year inquiry interviewed two senior Dublin Archdiocese canon lawyers involved in handling abuse complaints. They were quoted as saying the letter discouraged bishops from pursuing their 1996 initiative for fear of being overruled by Rome, as had already happened in one notorious case of a serial pedophile."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
No amount of spin by the Vatican will justify their refusal to "defrock" serial pedophile priests who raped Catholic children. How could Vatican policy NOT demand mandatory reporting to civil officials of clergy crimes everywhere in the world? How could the Vatican return these pedophiles to ministry and risk more attacks on innocent children? In some instances, the Vatican explained,that the reason they did not defrock priests was to avoid scandal. What? The real scandal here is the crimes against thousands of children and youth, and the hierarchy's efforts to cover up such hideous acts. And now, this letter provides evidence, that the blame for the sexual abuse scandal belongs at the Vatican's doorsteps.
It was reported in the RTE Special television report that the bishops in Ireland and the United States appealed to the Vatican to get rid of serial pedophiles, and were rebuffed.
So now it appears the Vatican is denying that it is responsible.
I honestly hope that the Irish bishops challenge the Vatican and inform the Pope that they will not be part of a global cover-up any longer or take the blame for the Vatican's failure to tell the truth about its role in this tragic debacle! This summer the Pope refused to accept the resignation of two of these bishops involved in the sex abuse crisis in Ireland. Why? Did the Irish bishops complain about the lack of pastoral response on the part of the Vatican? Now the ball appears to be in the Irish bishops' court with the release of this letter. The question is will the Irish bishops have the courage to confront the Vatican and demand systemic change? Or will they close ranks and protect their own and keep the clerical system intact?
The Catholic Church is at a crossroads. Will we continue to support a corrupt hierarchical, clerical system, turn a blind eye to its failures that are tearing the Body of Christ apart or will the people of God, in genuine faithfulness to the Gospel, demand a reformation and renewal of our church?
Let us pray that the Catholc community in Ireland and around the world will move forward and support genuine structural reforms in our church. It is time for a renewed priestly ministry that will transform clericalism and will include women priests, and married priests in Spirit-led, Christ-centered, people empowered, inclusive grassroots communities of equals.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Vatican: 1997 Irish abuse letter 'misunderstood'
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) --" In a new round of damage control, the Vatican insisted Wednesday that a 1997 letter warning Irish bishops against reporting priests suspected of sex abuse to police had been "deeply misunderstood."
"The Associated Press on Tuesday reported the contents of the letter, in which the Vatican's top diplomat in Ireland told bishops that their policy of mandatory reporting such cases to police "gives rise to serious reservations of both a moral and canonical nature."
"The letter confirms that the cover-up goes as far as the Vatican, that Vatican officials knew exactly what was going on, and that they proactively sought to deter Irish bishops from cooperating with civil authorities in Ireland," said Andrew Madden, a former Dublin altar boy who was raped repeatedly by a priest, Ivan Payne, in the 1980s.
"This letter also documents how the church remained of the view that it is a law unto itself, how its rules and regulations regarding the handling of a criminal offense take precedence over civil society's laws," said Madden, who in 1995" became the first victim in Ireland to go public with a lawsuit against the church.
..."Yet as a result of the 1997 letter, most Irish dioceses never implemented the 1996 commitment to report all suspected abuse cases to police, according to the conclusions of the government-mandated investigation into the Dublin Archdiocese published in 2009."
"This in fact never took place because of the response of Rome," the commission said in its report, although it quoted Dublin Archdiocese officials as saying it was implemented there."
"That eight-year inquiry interviewed two senior Dublin Archdiocese canon lawyers involved in handling abuse complaints. They were quoted as saying the letter discouraged bishops from pursuing their 1996 initiative for fear of being overruled by Rome, as had already happened in one notorious case of a serial pedophile."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
No amount of spin by the Vatican will justify their refusal to "defrock" serial pedophile priests who raped Catholic children. How could Vatican policy NOT demand mandatory reporting to civil officials of clergy crimes everywhere in the world? How could the Vatican return these pedophiles to ministry and risk more attacks on innocent children? In some instances, the Vatican explained,that the reason they did not defrock priests was to avoid scandal. What? The real scandal here is the crimes against thousands of children and youth, and the hierarchy's efforts to cover up such hideous acts. And now, this letter provides evidence, that the blame for the sexual abuse scandal belongs at the Vatican's doorsteps.
It was reported in the RTE Special television report that the bishops in Ireland and the United States appealed to the Vatican to get rid of serial pedophiles, and were rebuffed.
So now it appears the Vatican is denying that it is responsible.
I honestly hope that the Irish bishops challenge the Vatican and inform the Pope that they will not be part of a global cover-up any longer or take the blame for the Vatican's failure to tell the truth about its role in this tragic debacle! This summer the Pope refused to accept the resignation of two of these bishops involved in the sex abuse crisis in Ireland. Why? Did the Irish bishops complain about the lack of pastoral response on the part of the Vatican? Now the ball appears to be in the Irish bishops' court with the release of this letter. The question is will the Irish bishops have the courage to confront the Vatican and demand systemic change? Or will they close ranks and protect their own and keep the clerical system intact?
The Catholic Church is at a crossroads. Will we continue to support a corrupt hierarchical, clerical system, turn a blind eye to its failures that are tearing the Body of Christ apart or will the people of God, in genuine faithfulness to the Gospel, demand a reformation and renewal of our church?
Let us pray that the Catholc community in Ireland and around the world will move forward and support genuine structural reforms in our church. It is time for a renewed priestly ministry that will transform clericalism and will include women priests, and married priests in Spirit-led, Christ-centered, people empowered, inclusive grassroots communities of equals.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Judge Anne Burke Challenges Hierarchy to be Truth Tellers in Global Sex Abuse Scandal
Justice Anne M. Burke , Supreme Court Justice, State of Illinois ,was the second president of the National Review Board appointed by the US bishops. The following is a guest blog by Judge Burke published in from Father Lasch's Blog:
"Instead of ejecting women from the sanctuary, silencing discussion among the baptized, or blurring the lines between the earthly Vatican City-State and the Body of Christ, let’s tell the truth. Let’s focus on not fibbing for the sake of the Kingdom of God and not lying for the sake of the One who died and now is Risen. Let’s leave the clerical theocracy behind and trade it for the Kingdom of God; let the grace of our sacramental life carry us further than we can see. A good dose of dignity and truth would do us all good. "
"Instead of ejecting women from the sanctuary, silencing discussion among the baptized, or blurring the lines between the earthly Vatican City-State and the Body of Christ, let’s tell the truth. Let’s focus on not fibbing for the sake of the Kingdom of God and not lying for the sake of the One who died and now is Risen. Let’s leave the clerical theocracy behind and trade it for the Kingdom of God; let the grace of our sacramental life carry us further than we can see. A good dose of dignity and truth would do us all good. "
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Irish Television Program Reveals Shocking Role of Vatican in Clergy Sexual Abuse Scandal
http://www.rte.ie/tv/wouldyoubelieve/av_index.html
January 17, 2011
The Pope has blamed Irish bishops for their mishandling of "unspeakable crimes" by priests, but reporter Mick Peelo reveals how not only did the Vatican secretly block the bishop's efforts to improve child protection and bring abuser priests to justice, but were every bit as inept in their own handling of abuse.
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Excellent program by Irish Television revealing the Vatican's Policy of Protecting Abuser Priests When the Irish bishops tried to get the Vatican to remove priests abusers, the Vatican opposed them- citing it was not the role of the bishop to be a cop but a father to his priests.
If trust is to be restored and justice is to be done for the survivors of abuse, the Vatican must admit its role in this grave scandal. A major part of the problem is clericalism, the system of power and priviledge at the heart of this scandal that protected priests, and failed to protect the victims of abuser priests. As I have said many times, we need major reform in our church, and that reform must include systems of accountability, the empowerment of the community of faith and a renewed priestly ministry of women and men called by God and their communities to serve as sacramental ministers, spiritual leaders and prophetic witnesses to justice and equality for all our sisters and brothers.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
January 17, 2011
The Pope has blamed Irish bishops for their mishandling of "unspeakable crimes" by priests, but reporter Mick Peelo reveals how not only did the Vatican secretly block the bishop's efforts to improve child protection and bring abuser priests to justice, but were every bit as inept in their own handling of abuse.
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Excellent program by Irish Television revealing the Vatican's Policy of Protecting Abuser Priests When the Irish bishops tried to get the Vatican to remove priests abusers, the Vatican opposed them- citing it was not the role of the bishop to be a cop but a father to his priests.
If trust is to be restored and justice is to be done for the survivors of abuse, the Vatican must admit its role in this grave scandal. A major part of the problem is clericalism, the system of power and priviledge at the heart of this scandal that protected priests, and failed to protect the victims of abuser priests. As I have said many times, we need major reform in our church, and that reform must include systems of accountability, the empowerment of the community of faith and a renewed priestly ministry of women and men called by God and their communities to serve as sacramental ministers, spiritual leaders and prophetic witnesses to justice and equality for all our sisters and brothers.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
Monday, January 17, 2011
Vatican Edict n 1997: "A Mandate... to conceal the Reported Crimes of a Priest"/Irish Times/Time for Boycott of Vatican
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0117/1224287680501.html
A 1997 VATICAN directive rejected a recommendation by the Irish Catholic Church that priests who abused children should be reported tothe civil authorities, it has emerged.
..." an Irish bishop described the Vatican directive as “a mandate . . . to conceal the reported crimes of a priest”.
.... "at a 1998 meeting with Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy (1996 until 2006), then archbishop of Dublin Desmond Connell thumped a table in frustration as the cardinal insisted it was Vatican policy to defend the rights of an accused priest above all."
Last month, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said that, in the past “most of the Irish bishops felt that dealing with the Congregation for Clergy was disastrous”.
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
More proof that the Vatican behaved like a crime family in the sexual abuse crisis. Finally, an Irish bishop has told the sad tale of the Vatican's "mandate to conceal the reported crimes" of priests.
What other church would get away with hiding criminals? What other church would get away with promoting bishops to prestigious positions in the Vatican, like Cardinal Law, who was at the epic center of the U.S. scandal?
This occured under Pope John Paul II's watch, and now church authorities appear to be in a rush to canonize him in May. Something is wrong here!
Clericalism is at the heart of this terrible sexual abuse scandal that has devastated the lives of thousands of sexual abuse victims. When protecting the accused cleric, trumps the rights of the alleged sexual abuse victim to an open and fair investigation by civil authorities, the Vatican 1997 mandate smacks of clericalism run amock in the Catholic Church! It is unjust and unbecoming to a church, whose role model is Jesus Christ.
It is time for the people of God, the church, to demand that the Vatican to initiate reforms of the clericalism that is at the heart of this sexual abuse crisis in the church. How about a world-wide boycott of money to the Vatican until this happens! It is time to open up to a renewed priestly ministry that includes Roman Catholic Women Priests serving in a people-empowered, community of equals where all are accountable to the standards of the Gospel and all are equal.
by Patsy McGarry/Irish Times/RTE Special Report
Vatican edict in 1997 rejected calls to report priests who abusedA 1997 VATICAN directive rejected a recommendation by the Irish Catholic Church that priests who abused children should be reported tothe civil authorities, it has emerged.
..." an Irish bishop described the Vatican directive as “a mandate . . . to conceal the reported crimes of a priest”.
.... "at a 1998 meeting with Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy (1996 until 2006), then archbishop of Dublin Desmond Connell thumped a table in frustration as the cardinal insisted it was Vatican policy to defend the rights of an accused priest above all."
Last month, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said that, in the past “most of the Irish bishops felt that dealing with the Congregation for Clergy was disastrous”.
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
More proof that the Vatican behaved like a crime family in the sexual abuse crisis. Finally, an Irish bishop has told the sad tale of the Vatican's "mandate to conceal the reported crimes" of priests.
What other church would get away with hiding criminals? What other church would get away with promoting bishops to prestigious positions in the Vatican, like Cardinal Law, who was at the epic center of the U.S. scandal?
This occured under Pope John Paul II's watch, and now church authorities appear to be in a rush to canonize him in May. Something is wrong here!
Clericalism is at the heart of this terrible sexual abuse scandal that has devastated the lives of thousands of sexual abuse victims. When protecting the accused cleric, trumps the rights of the alleged sexual abuse victim to an open and fair investigation by civil authorities, the Vatican 1997 mandate smacks of clericalism run amock in the Catholic Church! It is unjust and unbecoming to a church, whose role model is Jesus Christ.
It is time for the people of God, the church, to demand that the Vatican to initiate reforms of the clericalism that is at the heart of this sexual abuse crisis in the church. How about a world-wide boycott of money to the Vatican until this happens! It is time to open up to a renewed priestly ministry that includes Roman Catholic Women Priests serving in a people-empowered, community of equals where all are accountable to the standards of the Gospel and all are equal.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
We Are Church:" Beatification of a Controversial, Contradictory Pope"
International Movement
We Are Church
Media Contact:Christian WeisnerTel.: +49-172 518 40 82
Email: media@we-are-church.org
Web: www.we-are-church.org
See below for U.S. media contacts and other international contacts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rome / Lisbon, January 16, 2011
We Are Church: Beatification of a controversial, contradictory Pope
Pope John Paul II, whose beatification on 1 May 2011 was announced earlier this week, was a pope of great contradiction. His tragedy lies in the discrepancy between his commitment to reform and dialogue in the world and his return to authoritarianism within the church.
It was his penchant for spiritual authoritarianism that contributed to the greatest tragedy of his tenure as pope: the sexual abuse of thousands of children globally. By holding church hierarchy paramount above the needs of the people, John Paul II perpetuated a toxic environment in which priests were permitted, often repeatedly, to sexually abuse children as long as the criminal behaviour was kept secret, preserving the public image of untarnished leadership.
Perhaps one of the best reflections of this is seen in John Paul II's strong relationship with the Legion of Christ and its founder Marcial Maciel. Maciel is accused of decades of serious abuse against women and youth, much of which was allowed to percolate due in part to the 1983 bylaws John Paul II approved for Maciel's religious order that demanded secrecy and prohibited criticism of its founder.
It was John Paul II's same need for hierarchical control that also lead to the constriction of theology with scarring impact on people's lives. His attempt to discredit liberation theology left thousands working for liberation without the full theological and ecclesial support they deserved while suffering under brutal political regimes.
Spiritual authoritarianism was also seen in John Paul II's attempt to suppress discourse on gender equality which, in turn, deprived the Catholic world of the gifts women would bring to church leadership. His stance against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people places him in complicity with local churches and governments who continue to deny the civil and moral equality of LGBT persons. Additionally, his repeated denouncements of condom use complicated the moral choice of millions around the world attempting to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and promote sexual health.
The International Movement We Are Church believes that beatification and ultimately sainthood should not be measured by whether a "miracle" can be attributed to a particular person, but rather, whether someone's life truly embodies the values of Christ who sought, not power, but the well being of God's people.
Please contact / Póngase en contacto con / Contatti / Contacter /Kontakt/ Por favor entre em contato:
Austria:
Hans Peter Hurka
+43-650-315 42 00
hans_peter.hurka@gmx.at
Belgium:
Edith Kuropatwa-Fèvre
+32-(0)-2-567-09-64
ekf.paves@happymany.net
Brazil:
Irene Cacais
+55-61 3223 4599
luisirenecacais@solar.com.br
Canada:
Jean Trudeau
+1-613)745-2170
trudeau.jean@videotron.ca
Cataluña:
Francesc Bragulat
somescat@somesglesia-cat.org
Chile:
Enrique Orellana
+56-696 4491
lapazesobradelajusticia@yahoo.com
Denmark:
Kaare Rübner Jorgensen
+45-367 81 804
ruebnerjo@webspeed.dk
Finland:
Giovanni Politi
giovanni.politi@kolumbus.fi
France:
Hubert Tournès
+33-240119873
hubertournes@orange.fr
Germany:
Christian Weisner
+49-172-518 40 82
media@we-are-church.org
Hungary:
Dr. Marcell Mártonffy
+36-1 2190621
martonffy@pantelweb.hu
Ireland:
Helen McCarthy
+353-61-310562
wearechurchireland@eircom.net
Italy:
Vittorio Bellavite
+39-02-70602370
vi.bel@IOL.IT
Netherlands:
Henk Baars
+31-6-41170229
hbaars@steknet.nl
Norway:
Aasmund Vik
+47-47269148
aasmund.vik@nationaltheatret.no
Peru:
Franz Wieser
+51-1-4492716
fwieser@speedy.com.pe
Portugal:
Maria Joao Sande Lemos
+351-91 460 2336
mjoaosandel@gmail.com
South Africa:
Brian Robertson
+27-21-7945527
brian.r@mweb.co.za
Spain:
Raquel Mallavibarrena
+34-649332654
rmal@telefonica.net
Sweden:
Krister Janzon
+46-86620802
krister.janzon@comhem.se
Switzerland:
Brigitte Durrer
+41-819212725
bridu@gmx.ch
United Kingdom:
Valerie Stroud
+44-(0)7904 332201
valeriejstroud@we-are-church.org
United States:
Anthony Padovano
+1-973-539-8732
tpadovan@optonline.net
United States:
Nicole Sotelo
+1-773.404.0004 x285
nicole@cta-usa.org
We Are Church
Media Contact:Christian WeisnerTel.: +49-172 518 40 82
Email: media@we-are-church.org
Web: www.we-are-church.org
See below for U.S. media contacts and other international contacts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rome / Lisbon, January 16, 2011
We Are Church: Beatification of a controversial, contradictory Pope
Pope John Paul II, whose beatification on 1 May 2011 was announced earlier this week, was a pope of great contradiction. His tragedy lies in the discrepancy between his commitment to reform and dialogue in the world and his return to authoritarianism within the church.
It was his penchant for spiritual authoritarianism that contributed to the greatest tragedy of his tenure as pope: the sexual abuse of thousands of children globally. By holding church hierarchy paramount above the needs of the people, John Paul II perpetuated a toxic environment in which priests were permitted, often repeatedly, to sexually abuse children as long as the criminal behaviour was kept secret, preserving the public image of untarnished leadership.
Perhaps one of the best reflections of this is seen in John Paul II's strong relationship with the Legion of Christ and its founder Marcial Maciel. Maciel is accused of decades of serious abuse against women and youth, much of which was allowed to percolate due in part to the 1983 bylaws John Paul II approved for Maciel's religious order that demanded secrecy and prohibited criticism of its founder.
It was John Paul II's same need for hierarchical control that also lead to the constriction of theology with scarring impact on people's lives. His attempt to discredit liberation theology left thousands working for liberation without the full theological and ecclesial support they deserved while suffering under brutal political regimes.
Spiritual authoritarianism was also seen in John Paul II's attempt to suppress discourse on gender equality which, in turn, deprived the Catholic world of the gifts women would bring to church leadership. His stance against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people places him in complicity with local churches and governments who continue to deny the civil and moral equality of LGBT persons. Additionally, his repeated denouncements of condom use complicated the moral choice of millions around the world attempting to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and promote sexual health.
The International Movement We Are Church believes that beatification and ultimately sainthood should not be measured by whether a "miracle" can be attributed to a particular person, but rather, whether someone's life truly embodies the values of Christ who sought, not power, but the well being of God's people.
Please contact / Póngase en contacto con / Contatti / Contacter /Kontakt/ Por favor entre em contato:
Austria:
Hans Peter Hurka
+43-650-315 42 00
hans_peter.hurka@gmx.at
Belgium:
Edith Kuropatwa-Fèvre
+32-(0)-2-567-09-64
ekf.paves@happymany.net
Brazil:
Irene Cacais
+55-61 3223 4599
luisirenecacais@solar.com.br
Canada:
Jean Trudeau
+1-613)745-2170
trudeau.jean@videotron.ca
Cataluña:
Francesc Bragulat
somescat@somesglesia-cat.org
Chile:
Enrique Orellana
+56-696 4491
lapazesobradelajusticia@yahoo.com
Denmark:
Kaare Rübner Jorgensen
+45-367 81 804
ruebnerjo@webspeed.dk
Finland:
Giovanni Politi
giovanni.politi@kolumbus.fi
France:
Hubert Tournès
+33-240119873
hubertournes@orange.fr
Germany:
Christian Weisner
+49-172-518 40 82
media@we-are-church.org
Hungary:
Dr. Marcell Mártonffy
+36-1 2190621
martonffy@pantelweb.hu
Ireland:
Helen McCarthy
+353-61-310562
wearechurchireland@eircom.net
Italy:
Vittorio Bellavite
+39-02-70602370
vi.bel@IOL.IT
Netherlands:
Henk Baars
+31-6-41170229
hbaars@steknet.nl
Norway:
Aasmund Vik
+47-47269148
aasmund.vik@nationaltheatret.no
Peru:
Franz Wieser
+51-1-4492716
fwieser@speedy.com.pe
Portugal:
Maria Joao Sande Lemos
+351-91 460 2336
mjoaosandel@gmail.com
South Africa:
Brian Robertson
+27-21-7945527
brian.r@mweb.co.za
Spain:
Raquel Mallavibarrena
+34-649332654
rmal@telefonica.net
Sweden:
Krister Janzon
+46-86620802
krister.janzon@comhem.se
Switzerland:
Brigitte Durrer
+41-819212725
bridu@gmx.ch
United Kingdom:
Valerie Stroud
+44-(0)7904 332201
valeriejstroud@we-are-church.org
United States:
Anthony Padovano
+1-973-539-8732
tpadovan@optonline.net
United States:
Nicole Sotelo
+1-773.404.0004 x285
nicole@cta-usa.org
Saturday, January 15, 2011
"Seeking Equality for Jewish Women"/Sarasota Herald Tribune
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110115/ARTICLE/101151009/2466/news0105?p=1&tc=pg
By STEVE HEISLER Correspondent
"As Anat Hoffman prepares for her series of presentations, her intent is clear. The director of the Israel Religious Action Center remains determined and focused on bringing about an Israel in which women can pray alongside men in public without fear. Jerusalem's Western Wall includes separate lines for men and women and a strict Orthodox prohibition of women carrying the Torah, wearing a prayer shawl or praying openly and equally alongside their male counterparts.
According to Hoffman and some rabbis in the region, it is a part of Judaism's continuing struggle against an Orthodox branch imposing its rules and beliefs on all Jews. Forced segregation in public transportation and discrimination in open religious practice is part of the atmosphere liberal Jews are working to change. "
"Hoffman's efforts include working for several years with Women of the Wall. The group works to make Judaism's most sacred site a spot where all women can wear tallits or shawls and pray and collectively read aloud from the Torah"...
"...In the eyes of Jewish reformers seeking a more open society, that behavior reached its zenith July 12 when Hoffman, carrying a Torah, was arrested at the Wall. A video of the arrest on YouTube and her subsequent interrogation made Harold Caminker cry."
"Caminker, the rabbi at Bradenton's Temple Beth-El for the past two years, cited the Orthodox Jewish concept of "kol isha," a prohibition against women publicly speaking, praying or singing. Rooted in the Talmud, it has no place in a modern world, he said."
"Enlightened people in the world reject this kind of dogma," he said. "The intention is to keep women down and keep them as second-class citizens. This is something that has been accepted for many centuries unchallenged and we see it today in places where religious fundamentalists are in power."
Caminker's emotional response to the video of her arrest did not surprise Hoffman, but she said her incarceration should serve above all else as a call to action."
"Victory for her, however, could be seen as another scene unfolds at the Western Wall while a system is created to provide services to all Jews, including a girl being permitted to celebrate her bat mitzvah at the Wall in a safe manner."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Viva Anat Hoffman, Woman of Faith, courageous witness to gender equality for Jewish women.
Patriarchal religions should embrace women as equal images of the Divine. Genesis states that women and men are both created in God's image. Like Roman Catholic Women Priests who are excommunicated when they are ordained, Anat Hoffman's arrest at the Holy Wall in Jerusalem brings to mind the pain of rejection that women must endure to achieve gender justice in worship. As people of diverse faiths, let us support one another on the journey to equality for all so that future generations will experience the equality that is our birthright as daughters and sons of God.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
By STEVE HEISLER Correspondent
"As Anat Hoffman prepares for her series of presentations, her intent is clear. The director of the Israel Religious Action Center remains determined and focused on bringing about an Israel in which women can pray alongside men in public without fear. Jerusalem's Western Wall includes separate lines for men and women and a strict Orthodox prohibition of women carrying the Torah, wearing a prayer shawl or praying openly and equally alongside their male counterparts.
According to Hoffman and some rabbis in the region, it is a part of Judaism's continuing struggle against an Orthodox branch imposing its rules and beliefs on all Jews. Forced segregation in public transportation and discrimination in open religious practice is part of the atmosphere liberal Jews are working to change. "
"Hoffman's efforts include working for several years with Women of the Wall. The group works to make Judaism's most sacred site a spot where all women can wear tallits or shawls and pray and collectively read aloud from the Torah"...
"...In the eyes of Jewish reformers seeking a more open society, that behavior reached its zenith July 12 when Hoffman, carrying a Torah, was arrested at the Wall. A video of the arrest on YouTube and her subsequent interrogation made Harold Caminker cry."
"Caminker, the rabbi at Bradenton's Temple Beth-El for the past two years, cited the Orthodox Jewish concept of "kol isha," a prohibition against women publicly speaking, praying or singing. Rooted in the Talmud, it has no place in a modern world, he said."
"Enlightened people in the world reject this kind of dogma," he said. "The intention is to keep women down and keep them as second-class citizens. This is something that has been accepted for many centuries unchallenged and we see it today in places where religious fundamentalists are in power."
Caminker's emotional response to the video of her arrest did not surprise Hoffman, but she said her incarceration should serve above all else as a call to action."
"Victory for her, however, could be seen as another scene unfolds at the Western Wall while a system is created to provide services to all Jews, including a girl being permitted to celebrate her bat mitzvah at the Wall in a safe manner."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Viva Anat Hoffman, Woman of Faith, courageous witness to gender equality for Jewish women.
Patriarchal religions should embrace women as equal images of the Divine. Genesis states that women and men are both created in God's image. Like Roman Catholic Women Priests who are excommunicated when they are ordained, Anat Hoffman's arrest at the Holy Wall in Jerusalem brings to mind the pain of rejection that women must endure to achieve gender justice in worship. As people of diverse faiths, let us support one another on the journey to equality for all so that future generations will experience the equality that is our birthright as daughters and sons of God.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Friday, January 14, 2011
Vatican announces May 1 beatification for John Paul II/Survivors of Sexual Abuse Challenge Vatican's Move to Canonize John Paul II
By John Allen/NCR
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-announces-may-1-beatification-john-paul-ii
..."some victims of clerical sexual abuse and their advocates believe that John Paul’s record on the crisis is not worthy of sainthood, or at least that beatifying him now risks giving offense to victims who associate the late pope with a mixed response to the crisis. Some have argued that the study of John Paul’s life and legacy as part of the sainthood process did not give sufficient weight to his handling of the sexual abuse crisis, such as the case of the late founder of the Legionaries of Christ, Mexican Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado, a longtime favorite during John Paul’s papacy who was later disgraced as the Legionaries acknowledged he was guilty of various forms of sexual misconduct."
"Yesterday, even before the formal Vatican announcement, the Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests issued a statement asserting that the hierarchy is" “rubbing more salt into the wounds” of victims with a “hasty drive to confer sainthood on the pontiff under whose reign most of the widely-documented clergy sex crimes and cover ups took place...”
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-announces-may-1-beatification-john-paul-ii
..."some victims of clerical sexual abuse and their advocates believe that John Paul’s record on the crisis is not worthy of sainthood, or at least that beatifying him now risks giving offense to victims who associate the late pope with a mixed response to the crisis. Some have argued that the study of John Paul’s life and legacy as part of the sainthood process did not give sufficient weight to his handling of the sexual abuse crisis, such as the case of the late founder of the Legionaries of Christ, Mexican Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado, a longtime favorite during John Paul’s papacy who was later disgraced as the Legionaries acknowledged he was guilty of various forms of sexual misconduct."
"Yesterday, even before the formal Vatican announcement, the Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests issued a statement asserting that the hierarchy is" “rubbing more salt into the wounds” of victims with a “hasty drive to confer sainthood on the pontiff under whose reign most of the widely-documented clergy sex crimes and cover ups took place...”
Pope John Paul II to Be Beatified May 1/ Saint-Making Past and Future
Pope John Paul II to Be Beatified May 1
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 13, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/01/13/world/europe/AP-EU-Vatican-John-Paul-II.html?_r=1&hp
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
I don't understand the rush to beatify Pope John Paul II. If the miracle of the nun's recovery from Parkinson's is now under question", why is the Vatican moving ahead anyway? Why hasn't the Vatican named Dorothy Day, the women martyred in El Slavador, Oscar Romero as role models for their prophetic witness to justice as constitutive to the Gospel? They certainly had had plenty of time to investigate and reflect on their lives.
In addition, there are many "unnamed" saints, some we know in our families and faith communities, who live lives of heroic service and virtue. They are unrecognized by officaldom, but real saints nonetheless. Let's look around and be inspired by our sisters and brothers goodness, compassion and selfless service and heroic action, and find a way as the people of God to recognize them. In early centuries of the church's history saints were declared by the people. One example is St. Brigit of Kildare and the Celtic saints. Maybe it is time to go back to that process, and skip this whole expensive canonization process! Let's put saint-making back into the local communities and in the hands of the people where it belongs. Just think how much money that would save! Do you think God might be laughing at the whole process anyway?
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 13, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/01/13/world/europe/AP-EU-Vatican-John-Paul-II.html?_r=1&hp
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
I don't understand the rush to beatify Pope John Paul II. If the miracle of the nun's recovery from Parkinson's is now under question", why is the Vatican moving ahead anyway? Why hasn't the Vatican named Dorothy Day, the women martyred in El Slavador, Oscar Romero as role models for their prophetic witness to justice as constitutive to the Gospel? They certainly had had plenty of time to investigate and reflect on their lives.
In addition, there are many "unnamed" saints, some we know in our families and faith communities, who live lives of heroic service and virtue. They are unrecognized by officaldom, but real saints nonetheless. Let's look around and be inspired by our sisters and brothers goodness, compassion and selfless service and heroic action, and find a way as the people of God to recognize them. In early centuries of the church's history saints were declared by the people. One example is St. Brigit of Kildare and the Celtic saints. Maybe it is time to go back to that process, and skip this whole expensive canonization process! Let's put saint-making back into the local communities and in the hands of the people where it belongs. Just think how much money that would save! Do you think God might be laughing at the whole process anyway?
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Pope's sainthood setback after 'miracle cure' nun reported to be ill again
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/05/nun-cured-pope-parkinsons-ill
Pope's sainthood setback after 'miracle cure' nun reported to be ill again
guardian.co.uk, Friday 5 March 2010 13.49 GMT
EXCERPT: ....hopes that the former pope's canonisation would be fast-tracked by Sister Marie Simon-Pierre's recovery from Parkinson's disease have been set back by reports that the French nun has fallen ill again.
Pope's sainthood setback after 'miracle cure' nun reported to be ill again
guardian.co.uk, Friday 5 March 2010 13.49 GMT
EXCERPT: ....hopes that the former pope's canonisation would be fast-tracked by Sister Marie Simon-Pierre's recovery from Parkinson's disease have been set back by reports that the French nun has fallen ill again.
Monday, January 10, 2011
"Courageous Catholicism" --Roman Catholic Women Priests- A Letter by Judith Cox
Courageous Catholicism
Thank you to Bishop Kevin Rhoades who generously gave copies of Matthew Kelly’s book Rediscover Catholicism to all the parishioners in the diocese. In it he states that Catholics are in need of “bold leadership” and “courageous leaders.” He further states that “Jesus’ whole method of leadership focused on turning the hierarchy uspside down. The model of leadership that Christ himself left us was one of service and sacrifice.”
There is just that kind of leadership in the Catholic Church today in the form of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. These women and some married men as well found a way to become priests of the Catholic Church by ordination from a Bishop in apostolic succession in 2000. Their courage to continue in spite of Vatican condemnation as more sinful than the child sexual abusing priests that were protected by the hierarchy is amazing. They have determined to change the Catholic Church into the one Jesus wanted with servant leaders and all inclusive openness of Vatican II. In their model of Catholic Church, all are truly welcome.
The Catholic people have prayed long enough and hard enough for priests. Now all we have to do is accept ALL the priests God is so generously sending us in women and married men. These are the ones who have the courage to preach the Gospel, open their arms to all who seek Christ and truly be servant leaders.
Submitted by: Judith A. Cox
12108 Golden Harvest Dr.
Fort Wayne In 46845
637-4969
Thank you to Bishop Kevin Rhoades who generously gave copies of Matthew Kelly’s book Rediscover Catholicism to all the parishioners in the diocese. In it he states that Catholics are in need of “bold leadership” and “courageous leaders.” He further states that “Jesus’ whole method of leadership focused on turning the hierarchy uspside down. The model of leadership that Christ himself left us was one of service and sacrifice.”
There is just that kind of leadership in the Catholic Church today in the form of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. These women and some married men as well found a way to become priests of the Catholic Church by ordination from a Bishop in apostolic succession in 2000. Their courage to continue in spite of Vatican condemnation as more sinful than the child sexual abusing priests that were protected by the hierarchy is amazing. They have determined to change the Catholic Church into the one Jesus wanted with servant leaders and all inclusive openness of Vatican II. In their model of Catholic Church, all are truly welcome.
The Catholic people have prayed long enough and hard enough for priests. Now all we have to do is accept ALL the priests God is so generously sending us in women and married men. These are the ones who have the courage to preach the Gospel, open their arms to all who seek Christ and truly be servant leaders.
Submitted by: Judith A. Cox
12108 Golden Harvest Dr.
Fort Wayne In 46845
637-4969
Sunday, January 9, 2011
"On Sex Abuse, Benedict Needs to Bring Peace this Year" "Facing Financial Scandals, Pope Creates a New Vatican Watchdog" NCR
by Nicole Sotelo on Jan. 06, 2011
http://ncronline.org/blogs/young-voices/sex-abuse-benedict-needs-bring-peace-year
"Here is just a sampling of what survivors, and the Catholic community, continues to face nine years after the bishops’ conference passed their Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and promised change:
Within the last month, Bishop Richard J. Malone of Portland, Maine announced that new credible allegations against seven priests in that diocese had been brought forward but refused to give the priests’ names, some of whom had been identified before.
Malone is not the only one putting children at risk. Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska continues to ignore portions of the USCCB Charter and refuses to conduct diocesan-wide background checks, potentially putting thousands of children at risk. (See NCR’s 2008 story: Repeated attempts to petition U.S. bishops fail)
Last October, the San Diego diocese finally released documents chronicling years of sexual abuse -- three years late. (See NCR’s story: San Diego diocese documents released)
In a 2007 settlement with survivors, the Diocese promised to release the papers but then delayed the release for years as it battled the process in court. The documents contain the names of 48 perpetrators, some of whom had never been publicly released; this nearly nine years after the bishops promised openness and accountability for the safety of our children.
In December, the bishop of Winona, Minn. and the archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis both filed legal motions to force a survivor of sexual abuse to repay the legal costs the archdiocese incurred fighting against his claims in court -- totaling approximately $130,000...
Meanwhile, the perpetrator, Thomas Adamson, remains free despite the fact that more than two dozen survivors have accused him of sexual abuse and Adamson himself has admitted abusing youth starting in 1964, according to a database at the BishopAccountability.org Web site.
What’s more, there is no push from the top urging these bishops to make any changes in the way they obfuscate the truth and impede the progress of systemic justice that is desperately needed for the church to heal..."
[Nicole Sotelo is the author of Women Healing from Abuse: Meditations for Finding Peace, published by Paulist Press, and coordinates www.WomenHealing.com. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, she currently works at Call To Action.]
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
What other church would get away with acting like a crime family? Catholics should demand accountability from their bishops in the treatment of sexual abuse victims and the Vatican should get its financial house in order. If Pope Benedict can create a watch dog agency "to promote compliance with international rules against money laundering, insider trading, market abuse, and financing terrorism, he can also take punitive action against bishops who do not comply with child protection policies and who fail to do justice for sex abuse victims. The Vatican Bank is supposed to be the financial arm of our church, instead it is mired in corruption and scandal. Catholics should boycott the Vatican Bank until the civil authorities report that this institution has achieved true financial transparency. "the Vatican's former prefect of Propaganda Fdie, Naples Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe is suspected of making sweetheart construction deals with Italian politicans in exchange for millions of euros in public funds. The other investigation is focused on the Vatican Bank, where some 30 million in assets was seized by cvil authoriites earlier this year for violations of European anti-money laundering laws... " ( "Facing Financial Scandals, Pope Creates New Vatican Watchdog", by John Allen, National Catholic Reporter, Jan. 7,2011)
The pope should move as quickly to fire the bishops who fail to protect victims of clergy sex abuse as he did to police the Vatican Bank after its 30 million in assets were seized.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
http://ncronline.org/blogs/young-voices/sex-abuse-benedict-needs-bring-peace-year
"Here is just a sampling of what survivors, and the Catholic community, continues to face nine years after the bishops’ conference passed their Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and promised change:
Within the last month, Bishop Richard J. Malone of Portland, Maine announced that new credible allegations against seven priests in that diocese had been brought forward but refused to give the priests’ names, some of whom had been identified before.
Malone is not the only one putting children at risk. Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska continues to ignore portions of the USCCB Charter and refuses to conduct diocesan-wide background checks, potentially putting thousands of children at risk. (See NCR’s 2008 story: Repeated attempts to petition U.S. bishops fail)
Last October, the San Diego diocese finally released documents chronicling years of sexual abuse -- three years late. (See NCR’s story: San Diego diocese documents released)
In a 2007 settlement with survivors, the Diocese promised to release the papers but then delayed the release for years as it battled the process in court. The documents contain the names of 48 perpetrators, some of whom had never been publicly released; this nearly nine years after the bishops promised openness and accountability for the safety of our children.
In December, the bishop of Winona, Minn. and the archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis both filed legal motions to force a survivor of sexual abuse to repay the legal costs the archdiocese incurred fighting against his claims in court -- totaling approximately $130,000...
Meanwhile, the perpetrator, Thomas Adamson, remains free despite the fact that more than two dozen survivors have accused him of sexual abuse and Adamson himself has admitted abusing youth starting in 1964, according to a database at the BishopAccountability.org Web site.
What’s more, there is no push from the top urging these bishops to make any changes in the way they obfuscate the truth and impede the progress of systemic justice that is desperately needed for the church to heal..."
[Nicole Sotelo is the author of Women Healing from Abuse: Meditations for Finding Peace, published by Paulist Press, and coordinates www.WomenHealing.com. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, she currently works at Call To Action.]
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
What other church would get away with acting like a crime family? Catholics should demand accountability from their bishops in the treatment of sexual abuse victims and the Vatican should get its financial house in order. If Pope Benedict can create a watch dog agency "to promote compliance with international rules against money laundering, insider trading, market abuse, and financing terrorism, he can also take punitive action against bishops who do not comply with child protection policies and who fail to do justice for sex abuse victims. The Vatican Bank is supposed to be the financial arm of our church, instead it is mired in corruption and scandal. Catholics should boycott the Vatican Bank until the civil authorities report that this institution has achieved true financial transparency. "the Vatican's former prefect of Propaganda Fdie, Naples Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe is suspected of making sweetheart construction deals with Italian politicans in exchange for millions of euros in public funds. The other investigation is focused on the Vatican Bank, where some 30 million in assets was seized by cvil authoriites earlier this year for violations of European anti-money laundering laws... " ( "Facing Financial Scandals, Pope Creates New Vatican Watchdog", by John Allen, National Catholic Reporter, Jan. 7,2011)
The pope should move as quickly to fire the bishops who fail to protect victims of clergy sex abuse as he did to police the Vatican Bank after its 30 million in assets were seized.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Pray for Victims of Violent Crime: 18 people shot in Arizona, including a Congresswoman, a child and a judge
God of love,
We pray for healing for Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford, and all those who have been injured in Tuscon, Arizona
and for comfort for the families of all those who died in the tragedy.
We are one people, one world in your Heart of Love. Make us instruments of your peacewhere there is hatred, may we sow love, as St. Francis prayed.
The New York Times today reported, "Under Siege, She Offers Thousands a Refuge of Hope," by Mohammed Ibrahim and Jeffrey Gettleman:
On May 5, 2010, 750 militants surrrounded Mama Hawa's hospital in Somalia. The gunmen confronted her:" Why are you running this hospital... You are old. And you are a woman!, But in spite of the destruction , she challenged the gunmen, "if I die, I will die with my people and my dignity. You are young and you are a man, but what have you done for your society.?"In the end because of her courage and the outrage expressed by her people at the violent behavior of the gunmen, they backed down and issued an apology for their destructive behavior.
In the face of hate, anger, and outrage may our response always be non-violent and peace-filled. May we be confident that God's strength within us, will in the end, overcome evil. As Christians, may we reflect Jesus forgiveness and compassion for all. May we build bridges of understanding and mutual respect toward all our sisters and brothers in the family of God as we work for peace, justice and equality in our world.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
We pray for healing for Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford, and all those who have been injured in Tuscon, Arizona
and for comfort for the families of all those who died in the tragedy.
We are one people, one world in your Heart of Love. Make us instruments of your peacewhere there is hatred, may we sow love, as St. Francis prayed.
The New York Times today reported, "Under Siege, She Offers Thousands a Refuge of Hope," by Mohammed Ibrahim and Jeffrey Gettleman:
On May 5, 2010, 750 militants surrrounded Mama Hawa's hospital in Somalia. The gunmen confronted her:" Why are you running this hospital... You are old. And you are a woman!, But in spite of the destruction , she challenged the gunmen, "if I die, I will die with my people and my dignity. You are young and you are a man, but what have you done for your society.?"In the end because of her courage and the outrage expressed by her people at the violent behavior of the gunmen, they backed down and issued an apology for their destructive behavior.
In the face of hate, anger, and outrage may our response always be non-violent and peace-filled. May we be confident that God's strength within us, will in the end, overcome evil. As Christians, may we reflect Jesus forgiveness and compassion for all. May we build bridges of understanding and mutual respect toward all our sisters and brothers in the family of God as we work for peace, justice and equality in our world.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Friday, January 7, 2011
"Hers is the Ministry of Yes." Ministry of Janie Spahr, a Presbyterian Minister
Janie Spahr, a friend and colleague of some of our Roman Catholic Women Priests, ministers to the gay, lesbian and transgender community. Read this moving article about an inclusive community's struggle for justice.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-minister-profile-20110104,0,2374328.story?page=1&track=rss
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-minister-profile-20110104,0,2374328.story?page=1&track=rss
Thursday, January 6, 2011
"Saying Bishops are Scared, Panelists Urge Laity to Take Lead/Growing Alienation of Women
Jan. 04, 2011
Jerry Filteau is NCR Washington correspondent.
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/saying-bishops-scared-panelists-urge-laity-take-lead
“We are becoming a do-it-yourself church” for the laity, said Jesuit Fr. Thomas J. Reese, one of three senior fellows of the Woodstock Theological Center in Washington who spoke at “The Future of the Church: A Woodstock Forum on Sources of Hope,” held at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia Dec. 5.
The U.S. Catholic hierarchy today is fearful and defensive, a far cry from the collaborative, pastorally transformed hierarchy that emerged during and after the Second Vatican Council, said Dolores R. Leckey, former longtime head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Laity, Family, Women and Youth, and a noted writer on spirituality."
"He said that for him the most depressing finding of the Pew study was that 71 percent of former Catholics said the reason they left the church was “that my spiritual needs were not met by the church -- in other words, our fundamental product failed.”
"Another major negative factor in U.S. Catholic membership trends, Reese said, is that in the United States today, many of those leaving are women."
“In the 19th century we lost men in Europe. We didn’t lose the women,” he said. “Today we’re losing women too. ... Mothers are more important to the Catholic church than priests, because they are the ones that pass the faith on to the next generation. They are the ones who teach the kids how to pray, answer their questions about God, etc. Women are absolutely essential. If we lose women, we might as well close shop. And then the worst thing about this is that the more educated a woman becomes, the more alienated she tends to become from the Catholic church.”....
Jerry Filteau is NCR Washington correspondent.
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/saying-bishops-scared-panelists-urge-laity-take-lead
“We are becoming a do-it-yourself church” for the laity, said Jesuit Fr. Thomas J. Reese, one of three senior fellows of the Woodstock Theological Center in Washington who spoke at “The Future of the Church: A Woodstock Forum on Sources of Hope,” held at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia Dec. 5.
The U.S. Catholic hierarchy today is fearful and defensive, a far cry from the collaborative, pastorally transformed hierarchy that emerged during and after the Second Vatican Council, said Dolores R. Leckey, former longtime head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Laity, Family, Women and Youth, and a noted writer on spirituality."
"He said that for him the most depressing finding of the Pew study was that 71 percent of former Catholics said the reason they left the church was “that my spiritual needs were not met by the church -- in other words, our fundamental product failed.”
"Another major negative factor in U.S. Catholic membership trends, Reese said, is that in the United States today, many of those leaving are women."
“In the 19th century we lost men in Europe. We didn’t lose the women,” he said. “Today we’re losing women too. ... Mothers are more important to the Catholic church than priests, because they are the ones that pass the faith on to the next generation. They are the ones who teach the kids how to pray, answer their questions about God, etc. Women are absolutely essential. If we lose women, we might as well close shop. And then the worst thing about this is that the more educated a woman becomes, the more alienated she tends to become from the Catholic church.”....
Bridget Mary's Reflection
Of course, women are alienated! The language of the liturgy is exclusive, all male imagery is used in Catholic worship and there are no women priests at the altar in Catholic parishes. The "elephant in the Roman Catholic living room" is the issue of gender justice and the empowerment of the people of God in leadership roles that are decision-making in our church.. Women priests are integral part of justice for all. We need a people-empowered community of faith to meet the spiritual needs of Catholics today in vibrant worshipping communities as well as a strong prophetic presence as we stand in solidarity with the poor and oppressed to change the structures of domination that breed injustice and violence.
Roman Catholic Women Priests are offering a renewed model of priestly ministry in a community of equals in the grassroots communities where we serve. We are not leaving the church, but leading our beloved church into its future now. For many it is a holy shakeup whose time has come!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Archdiocese in Wisconsin. to Seek Bankruptcy Protection
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MILWAUKEE_ARCHDIOCESE_BANKRUPTCY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Jan 4, 2010, 9:29 PM EST
Archdiocese in Wis. to seek bankruptcy protection
By DINESH RAMDE Associated Press
EXCERPTS:
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee said Tuesday it would file for bankruptcy protection because pending sexual-abuse lawsuits could leave it with debts it couldn't afford.
The Milwaukee archdiocese is the eighth in the U.S. to seek bankruptcy protection since the clergy abuse scandal erupted in 2002 in Boston. The other seven are in Davenport, Iowa; Fairbanks, Alaska; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; Spokane, Wash.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Wilmington, Del.
Tuesday's announcement drew scorn from attorney Jeff Anderson, of St. Paul, Minn., who has filed 23 lawsuits against the archdiocese. He said he was scheduled to depose Milwaukee Bishop Richard Sklba on Thursday and he thought the bankruptcy filing was intended to delay that. Church officials in other dioceses also have filed for bankruptcy on the eve of trials or major depositions to avoid having to release information, he said.
Jan 4, 2010, 9:29 PM EST
Archdiocese in Wis. to seek bankruptcy protection
By DINESH RAMDE Associated Press
EXCERPTS:
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee said Tuesday it would file for bankruptcy protection because pending sexual-abuse lawsuits could leave it with debts it couldn't afford.
The Milwaukee archdiocese is the eighth in the U.S. to seek bankruptcy protection since the clergy abuse scandal erupted in 2002 in Boston. The other seven are in Davenport, Iowa; Fairbanks, Alaska; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; Spokane, Wash.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Wilmington, Del.
Tuesday's announcement drew scorn from attorney Jeff Anderson, of St. Paul, Minn., who has filed 23 lawsuits against the archdiocese. He said he was scheduled to depose Milwaukee Bishop Richard Sklba on Thursday and he thought the bankruptcy filing was intended to delay that. Church officials in other dioceses also have filed for bankruptcy on the eve of trials or major depositions to avoid having to release information, he said.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
"St. Joseph’s Hospital: A Phoenix in the Desert" by Jamie Manson/NCR Commentary/We are the Body of Christ
St. Joseph’s Hospital: A phoenix in the desert
By Jamie L Manson
Created Jan 04, 2011
by Jamie L Manson [1] on Jan. 04, 2011
http://ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/st-joseph%E2%80%99s-hospital-phoenix-desert
..."Because a mother of four had her life saved under harrowing circumstances, the sacramental presence of Jesus was forced to evacuate a Catholic hospital in the Valley of the Sun. It’s a sad loss, really, since the body of Christ dwelt peacefully at St. Joseph’s for over 115 years..."
..."Bishop Thomas Olmsted, the hierarch who made the decision to pull the Eucharist from the chapel at St. Joseph’s Hospital, has been called “ ‘a man of the rules and a company man’ who puts the institutional church ahead of people,” according to an NCR report early last summer.
But one wonders whose rules he was playing by when he chose to rip the Catholic designation from this hospital founded by the Sisters of Mercy. "
"If anyone doubts that misogyny played a role in this case, one need only recall that Olmsted is the product of a Vatican that, in March 2009, defended a Brazilian archbishop who excommunicated the mother of a 9-year-old girl who received an abortion after being raped by her stepfather. The father faced no ecclesiastical punishment. "
But in the midst of this darkness, there is an unexpected beam of hope. The response of the staff of St. Joseph’s has demonstrated as much moral courage as it has deep theological truth. Not only have they refused to allow the hierarchy to use the Eucharist to bully them into submission, they have reaffirmed the holiness of their daily work. “St. Joseph’s will continue through our words and deeds to carry out the healing ministry of Jesus,” said Linda Hunt, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital. “Our operations, policies and procedures will not change.”
..."But now institutions are reaching a breaking point. Those who once trembled in fear when the hierarchy wielded its power now tremble in holy anger.
Though St. Joseph’s can no longer call itself Catholic, it heralds a new vision of church. .."
"Though they will be denied the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist, the Eucharist will rise out of St. Joseph’s every time the sick are healed, the frightened are comforted, the lonely are visited, the weak are fed, and vigil is kept over the dying. "
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Jamie Manson's analysis of the consequences of Bishop Olmsted's decision to remove the designation of Catholic- including the Eucharist from from St. Joseph's Chapel- is excellent. Indeed, St. Joseph's response heralds a new understanding of Catholicism emerging from the heart of the church. In my view, St. Joseph's Hospital is truly a "Catholic" hospital we can be proud of and one which St. Joseph would affirm if he walked the earth today. Don't you think that St. Joseph, who saved Mary's life, would save a pregnant woman's life at risk in similar circumstances as the Phoenix mother today? Don't you think that Christ's sacramental presence is celebrated in the care for the sick, the Body of Christ, among us every day as Jamie articulated? We, the Body of Christ, share the Body of Christ with the Body of Christ in all our thoughts, words and actions-- this is what it means to be a sacramental church we can proud of and one where, no matter where we are- we, the Body of Christ, can live passionately every day of our lives. And no bishop or pope has the power to control God's presence among us, thanks be to God!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
By Jamie L Manson
Created Jan 04, 2011
by Jamie L Manson [1] on Jan. 04, 2011
http://ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/st-joseph%E2%80%99s-hospital-phoenix-desert
..."Because a mother of four had her life saved under harrowing circumstances, the sacramental presence of Jesus was forced to evacuate a Catholic hospital in the Valley of the Sun. It’s a sad loss, really, since the body of Christ dwelt peacefully at St. Joseph’s for over 115 years..."
..."Bishop Thomas Olmsted, the hierarch who made the decision to pull the Eucharist from the chapel at St. Joseph’s Hospital, has been called “ ‘a man of the rules and a company man’ who puts the institutional church ahead of people,” according to an NCR report early last summer.
But one wonders whose rules he was playing by when he chose to rip the Catholic designation from this hospital founded by the Sisters of Mercy. "
"If anyone doubts that misogyny played a role in this case, one need only recall that Olmsted is the product of a Vatican that, in March 2009, defended a Brazilian archbishop who excommunicated the mother of a 9-year-old girl who received an abortion after being raped by her stepfather. The father faced no ecclesiastical punishment. "
But in the midst of this darkness, there is an unexpected beam of hope. The response of the staff of St. Joseph’s has demonstrated as much moral courage as it has deep theological truth. Not only have they refused to allow the hierarchy to use the Eucharist to bully them into submission, they have reaffirmed the holiness of their daily work. “St. Joseph’s will continue through our words and deeds to carry out the healing ministry of Jesus,” said Linda Hunt, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital. “Our operations, policies and procedures will not change.”
..."But now institutions are reaching a breaking point. Those who once trembled in fear when the hierarchy wielded its power now tremble in holy anger.
Though St. Joseph’s can no longer call itself Catholic, it heralds a new vision of church. .."
"Though they will be denied the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist, the Eucharist will rise out of St. Joseph’s every time the sick are healed, the frightened are comforted, the lonely are visited, the weak are fed, and vigil is kept over the dying. "
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Jamie Manson's analysis of the consequences of Bishop Olmsted's decision to remove the designation of Catholic- including the Eucharist from from St. Joseph's Chapel- is excellent. Indeed, St. Joseph's response heralds a new understanding of Catholicism emerging from the heart of the church. In my view, St. Joseph's Hospital is truly a "Catholic" hospital we can be proud of and one which St. Joseph would affirm if he walked the earth today. Don't you think that St. Joseph, who saved Mary's life, would save a pregnant woman's life at risk in similar circumstances as the Phoenix mother today? Don't you think that Christ's sacramental presence is celebrated in the care for the sick, the Body of Christ, among us every day as Jamie articulated? We, the Body of Christ, share the Body of Christ with the Body of Christ in all our thoughts, words and actions-- this is what it means to be a sacramental church we can proud of and one where, no matter where we are- we, the Body of Christ, can live passionately every day of our lives. And no bishop or pope has the power to control God's presence among us, thanks be to God!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Monday, January 3, 2011
"Bishops vs. Nuns: Who Spoke for God in 2010?" Nuns and Women Priests Lead the Church into its Future Now
While bishops govern and "manage," it is nuns who save lives
By Eugene McMullan
Religion Dispatches (CA)
January 2, 2011
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/atheologies/3975/bishops_vs._nuns%3A_who_spoke_for_god_in_2010_/
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/atheologies/3975/bishops_vs._nuns%3A_who_spoke_for_god_in_2010_/
"The nuns may also see themselves as speaking for God. Many would embrace Sr. Schneider’s definition of religious life as a “prophetic life-form.” Others might see themselves simply as persons created in the reasonable image and likeness of God, persons who read for themselves, think for themselves, work, pray, attend mass and come to their own conclusions. They, too, cling to the Logos (or Sophia).
Because the bishops claim to have exclusive possession of the measuring stick of orthodoxy (Rule of Truth), nuns are less likely than bishops to make doctrinal statements. That being said, nuns are quite devout and typically orthodox. The U.S. nuns are not “bad Catholics,” as the Vatican implied with its notorious apostolic inquiries. The real issue is their criticism of the bishops, and their commitment to the principles of Vatican II. In a letter regarding women’s ordination, NCAN stated, “This teaching cannot be infallible because the teaching is unjust and, therefore, in error.”
Clearly for these religious sisters, the Word of justice/love supersedes the dictates of the church."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Excellent analysis, by Eugene McMullen!
Truly the nuns are walking in the spirit of Jesus and demonstrate the compassionate spirit and common sense approach that most Catholics profess and practice.
The National Coalition of American Nuns are a gutsy group of Sisters who speak truth to power, including the male hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. Yes surely, as the nuns speak for justice for all on the controversial issues of our time. As the nuns state, the teaching on women's ordination cannot be infallible because it is unjust, in error. Authentic teaching cannot contradict Jesus's example of inclusion of women as partners and equals and the church's early history of women in ordained leadership. The National Coalition of American Nuns and Roman Catholic Women Priests are leading the way to a holy shakeup of the Roman Catholic Church in which women will no longer be silent on issues that impact their lives and human welfare. We are putting our energies to renewing our faith worship, practices and witness in grassroots communities that are egalitarian and prophetic! Amen, Sisters, keep leading the way!
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A Celebration of Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Wise Women/Epiphany/ A Roman Catholic Liturgy Affirming Wise Women
Sheila Carey, performed a
Liturgical Dance honoring
Mary Mother of Jesus
at beginning of homily,
following by
community shared on topic:
What difference would it have made if
church and society listened to wise women?
Figurines of 3 wise women/Epiphany
beside Gospel Book
On Jan. 1, 2011, Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida celebrated the feast of Mary, Mother of God and the Epiphany. At the Gathering Hymn, "We three kings of Orient are, the presiders processed up the aisle, carrying figurines of 3 WISE WOMEN. We placed them on the altar next to Gospel Book. See photo below.
The community recited the following
Men: "What would have happened if wise women had come to the stable instead of wise men?" ;
Women: "The wise women would have arrived on time and helped with the delivery. They would have clean the stable and brought practical gifts. "
Lee and Carol Ann Breyer, one of our priest partner couples brought the wise women figurines from an artist in North Carolina and Lee was the innovator of this creative theme for our liturgy.
A couple proclaimed the Gospel from the feast of Mary Mother of God and the Epiphany. At the homily time, Sheila Carey led our reflection with a liturgical dance in honor of Mary, Mother of Jesus. See movie clip on youtubebelow.
Our homily reflection was the community's response to the the question: what difference would it have made if the church and society listened to the wise women in our tradition and in our midst. Most of the women in the assembly shared their perspectives on this fundamental issue.
Our music minister, Mindy, sang original music that drew the assembly into praise and worship on the theme of living in the light of God, our Love in this moving liturgy.
At the Eucharistic Prayer, the community gathered around the altar to recite the prayers as the Body of Christ. All were welcome to receive Eucharist at this Sacred Banquet.
See Movie of Liturgical Dance with Sheila Carey:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqYlNeJG0TQ
For upcoming events sponsored by our inclusive Catholic liturgies:visit: http://www.marymotherofjesus.org/
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
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