Living Gospel Inclusivity and Empowerment Now- https://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/2025/10/rev-dr-bridget-mary-meehan-arcwp-chat.html
Saturday, March 10, 2012
"Pink Smoke Over the Vatican" to be shown in Milwaukee on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 7:00 PM with Janice Sevre-Duszynska
Friends, the Roman Catholic Church is one of the
few religious organization that does not recognize women as priest and
ministers. Find out what is happening on this front with the showing of the
award winning film "Pink Smoke Over the
Vatican" with our Home town Roman Catholic woman
priest.
Bob Graf
Janice and Roy Bourgeois at SOA
Bob Graf
"Pink Smoke Over the
Vatican" an award winning documentary on the ordination of
women priests in the Roman Catholic Church will make its Milwaukee premier
on Thursday, March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian
Society of Milwaukee 1342 North Astor Street. Janice
Sevre-Duszynska , Milwaukee native and Roman Catholic
woman priest featured in the film, will introduce the 58 min. film and be
available to hear comments and answer questions. For more information
contact: CatholicsforWomenPriests@nonviolentcow.org
Janice and Roy Bourgeois at SOA
Friday, March 9, 2012
"Sacred She" by Linda Longmire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrp0PCE5vJ8
Hello to all of you outstanding women of courage,
Thank you deeply for your inspiring courage, love for God and humanity.I cannot thank you enough for your leadership and pioneering spirit.
I am a Catholic woman from Nova Scotia, Canada , a contemplative poet , and I have made a 2 and 1/2 minute video on you tube .I am reciting a new poem I wrote called Sacred She . I thought you may appreciate it.Feel free to share it as it is an important message.
God bless you,
Linda Longmire
Hello to all of you outstanding women of courage,
Thank you deeply for your inspiring courage, love for God and humanity.I cannot thank you enough for your leadership and pioneering spirit.
I am a Catholic woman from Nova Scotia, Canada , a contemplative poet , and I have made a 2 and 1/2 minute video on you tube .I am reciting a new poem I wrote called Sacred She . I thought you may appreciate it.Feel free to share it as it is an important message.
God bless you,
Linda Longmire
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Another Day, Another Catholic Assault on LGBT People and Allies by John Becker/ Huffington Post
"...The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported last
week that Christian Brothers University has withdrawn its support for the
seventh annual Gerard A. Vanderhaar
Symposium, a conference founded to honor a late CBU professor of religion
and peace studies by "bringing a noted scholar or peace activist each year to
the Christian Brothers University campus to address social and moral issues
related to peace and justice and/or Catholic social teaching." Last week's
cancellation came just two weeks before the scheduled start of the conference,
forcing organizers to relocate to a nearby Congregational church.CBU's stated reason for the sudden move? This year's keynote speaker, Dr. Ada
María Isasi-Díaz, gave a sermon at her nephew's 2009 wedding to his same-sex
spouse in a Washington, D.C. Unitarian church.Dr. Isasi-Díaz co-authored the first book on Latina theology in English and
is widely recognized as a pioneer of mujerista theology, a spirituality
developed through the lens of the American Latina experience. She is Professor
Emerita of Christian Social Ethics and Theology at New Jersey's Drew University
and a contributor to Newsweek and The Washington
Post. Dr. Isasi-Díaz noted that although she's had other speaking
engagements at Catholic-affiliated institutions canceled at the last minute due
to her outspoken support for women's ordination, "this is the first time I've
been canceled because of the sermon at my nephew's wedding..."
International Women's Day: Women Are Dying Because of Denial of Human Rights
"Maternal deaths in developing countries are often the ultimate tragic outcome
of the cumulative denial of women's human rights," noted the journal Clinical
Obstetrics and Gynecology. "Women are not dying because of untreatable
diseases. They are dying because societies have yet to make the decision that
their lives are worth saving." Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wu Dunn, page 116
FutureChurch Statement on Vatican Decision to Overrule Suppression of 13 Cleveland Parishes
FutureChurch congratulates those courageous Cleveland Catholics whose love for their parish communities led them to appeal successfully to the Vatican who reversed decisions of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to suppress their parishes and close their churches.
We call on the Cleveland Diocese to meet as soon as possible with parishioners from the 13 appealing parishes and develop a plan for restoring them to their parish homes.
This is a landmark decision. For the first time the Vatican has powerfully upheld the rights of Catholics to have an appropriate voice in determining the future of their parish by overruling a diocesan bishop’s decision to suppress 13 parishes.
FutureChurch offered guidance and contact with canon lawyers to Catholics from 20 parishes in Cleveland who downloaded a special “Canonical Appeals for Dummies” resource and other prayer, educational, and organizing materials from our website. We are proud to have supported Cleveland Catholics discerning an appropriate response to Bishop Richard Lennon’s decision to close their vibrant parishes, in many cases against recommendations from his own staff and the Diocesan Priests’ Council.
For the past four years FutureChurch’s Save Our Parish Community initiative has been educating Catholics all over the US and worldwide about their right to appeal, as scores of dioceses closed hundreds of parishes, many because of the priest shortage. We have worked closely with Peter Borré and Boston’s Council of Parishes to whom much credit for this landmark ruling belongs.
Last February our Save Our Parish Community initiative experienced its first resounding success when the Vatican supported parishioner appeals from thirteen parish churches from three dioceses [Allentown, PA (9) Springfield MA (3), and Buffalo (1)] and ruled that though the bishops decision to suppress the parish was upheld, the churches could not be sold or closed. FutureChurch supplied canonical and other resources to parishioners in all three of these dioceses.
About FutureChurch Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, FutureChurch is a national coalition of 3,500 parish centered Catholics striving to educate fellow Catholics about the seriousness of the priest shortage, the centrality of the Eucharist (the Mass), and the systemic inequality of women in the Catholic Church. FutureChurch makes presentations throughout the country, distributes education, advocacy and prayer resources and recruits activists who work for changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life and leadership.
FutureChurch 17307 Madison Avenue - Lakewood, Ohio 44107
216-228-0869 - info@futurechurch.org - www.futurechurch.org <http://www.futurechurch.org>
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief.
Do justly, now.
Love mercy, now.
Walk humbly, now.
You are not obligated to complete the work,
but neither are you free to abandon it.
The Talmud
We love the Church...We’re working to make it better!
Christine Schenk csj
FutureChurch
Executive Director
17307 Madison Ave
Lakewood, Oh 44107
216-228-0869
216-228-4872 (fax)
This communication may contain privileged and/or confidential information. It is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing or using any of this information. If you received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy the material in its entirety,whether electronic or hard copy.
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief.
Do justly, now.
Love mercy, now.
Walk humbly, now.
You are not obligated to complete the work,
but neither are you free to abandon it.
The Talmud
We love the Church...We’re working to make it better!
If Jesus Came Today to the Roman Catholic Church, Would He Cleanse the Temple Again?
If Jesus came today to the Roman Catholic Church, would he cleanse the Temple again? Would he be angry with the bishops over their battle to be exempt from paying for contraception for women who work for Catholic universities and hospitals? Would he tear up the new Roman missal that states that he died for the many, not for all? Would he lament the global sexual abuse cover-up and the shabby treatment of many survivors by the hierarchy? Would he protest the shuttering of parishes and schools? Would he be outraged at the treatment of gays and lesbians? Would Jesus stand in solidarity with women priests and their supporters who have been excommunicated and harshly punished by the hierarchy? Would he challenge Fr. Ed Doughterty, the Superior of Maryknoll, for his cooperation with the Vatican in supporting the removal of Fr. Roy Bourgeois from the Order? Would Jesus call the people of God to rise up for all victims of injustice including those in the Roman Catholic Church? It is time to cleanse the Temple again!
John 2: 13-25
John 2: 13-25
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Maryknoll Votes on Bourgeois' Dismissal from Order/NCR Article
 |
| Fr. Roy Bourgeois Celebrates Liturgy at Janice Sevre-Duszynska's ordination as a woman priest in Lexington, Kentucky on Aug. 9, 2008 |
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Communion or Disunion? Sacraments do not “belong” to the clergy—and no one is excluded. By Mary E. Hunt
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/sexandgender/5759/communion_or_disunion/?comments=view&cID=26012&pID=26008#c26012
"It is evident in the struggle over President Obama’s health care plan, where it is clear that the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops is but one of many Catholic voices in the public arena. Closer to home/Rome, people no longer consider it the purview of the clergy to judge who is part of the Catholic community and thus eligible for Communion, and who is not."
Bridget Mary's Reflection
Right on, Mary Hunt! The Eucharist belongs to the Community of faith, not to the clergy or hierarchy of the church. Jesus invited all to the Banquet when he said "take and eat" - not just the rule-keepers, but all who are hungry for God's love, healing, joy and peace.
All are welcome at the Eucharistic Table because God's love knows no limits. Jesus made that clear by his life, death and resurrection.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
"It is evident in the struggle over President Obama’s health care plan, where it is clear that the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops is but one of many Catholic voices in the public arena. Closer to home/Rome, people no longer consider it the purview of the clergy to judge who is part of the Catholic community and thus eligible for Communion, and who is not."
Bridget Mary's Reflection
Right on, Mary Hunt! The Eucharist belongs to the Community of faith, not to the clergy or hierarchy of the church. Jesus invited all to the Banquet when he said "take and eat" - not just the rule-keepers, but all who are hungry for God's love, healing, joy and peace.
All are welcome at the Eucharistic Table because God's love knows no limits. Jesus made that clear by his life, death and resurrection.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
The Roman Catholic Bishops: Are They Killing Their Church? by John Shelby Spong
http://johnshelbyspong.com/2012/02/23/the-roman-catholic-bishops-are-they-killing-their-church/
..."Now this Church’s bishops have taken that battle to what seems to be both a political and a religious absurdity. Though already given a “conscience” exemption of not being required to provide contraceptive coverage in the health care offered to employees of Catholic churches, they are now demanding the right to impose that teaching on employees of their Catholic universities, hospitals and charitable institutions. Those institutions, while Catholic sponsored, serve a diverse population and receive public state and federal money to carry out their work. They have many non-Catholic employees and many Catholic employees who do not want Catholic teaching imposed upon their own health care decisions. The bishops have gone on to argue that any business run by a Roman Catholic CEO should also have the right to opt out of the requirement to provide contraceptive care to their employees. If this principle of exemption for Catholics is allowed, where will it stop? Some religions practiced in America object to blood transfusions, others do not believe that any medical intervention should be allowed since sickness is thought of as punishment for sin and still others have in the past sought to be exempted from the law that requires only one partner in marriage. Must the laws of America respect their consciences also? When the public good and religious values have come into conflict in the past, the state has always protected its understanding of public good and the various religious bodies have had to accommodate that policy. That is what it means to live in a multi-cultural state, where people enjoy freedom to worship as they wish, but where no religious system can impose any religious principle or practice on the entire nation. Are the Catholic Bishops and those politicians who want to dictate the details of health care that will be offered to employees of religiously affiliated institutions now find that this basic American premise is no longer acceptable? That is a frightening change..."
READ whole essay at following link:
http://johnshelbyspong.com/2012/02/23/the-roman-catholic-bishops-are-they-killing-their-church/
~John Shelby Spong
Monday, March 5, 2012
BC Won’t Renew Contract Of Controversial Professor/John Shea/ Time for Male Priests to Support Female Priests As Issue of Justice and Equality
http://www.wbur.org/2012/03/05/bc-professor-contract-ends
By Monica Brady-Myerov
"But after Father John Shea, a professor of pastoral care and counseling, asked church leaders for a theological explanation for why women are not being ordained to the priesthood of the Catholic church, he was let go. After nine years, Shea will leave his position at the end of this semester. He refused to comment. The school says, as a matter of policy, it does not discuss personnel decisions. But several of the BC students who are protesting the decision say there’s a climate of intolerance at the Jesuit university around openly discussing sensitive issues such as the ordination of women."
Suzanne Thiel is the president of an origination known as Roman Catholic Women Priests, and is one of approximately 100 women who have gone through ordination ceremonies and call themselves priests. Thiel said the Catholic public has accepted female ordination, but church officials won’t talk about it.
“I think we have plenty of male priests who are open to women balancing out the ministry but they just are afraid for all kinds of reasons,” Thiel said. “Probably their retirement, especially, and just their whole priesthood from being cut off, because that’s how this hierarchy has been functioning...”
By Monica Brady-Myerov
"But after Father John Shea, a professor of pastoral care and counseling, asked church leaders for a theological explanation for why women are not being ordained to the priesthood of the Catholic church, he was let go. After nine years, Shea will leave his position at the end of this semester. He refused to comment. The school says, as a matter of policy, it does not discuss personnel decisions. But several of the BC students who are protesting the decision say there’s a climate of intolerance at the Jesuit university around openly discussing sensitive issues such as the ordination of women."
Suzanne Thiel is the president of an origination known as Roman Catholic Women Priests, and is one of approximately 100 women who have gone through ordination ceremonies and call themselves priests. Thiel said the Catholic public has accepted female ordination, but church officials won’t talk about it.
“I think we have plenty of male priests who are open to women balancing out the ministry but they just are afraid for all kinds of reasons,” Thiel said. “Probably their retirement, especially, and just their whole priesthood from being cut off, because that’s how this hierarchy has been functioning...”
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Kudos to Father John Shea for his courage to challenge the Catholic Church's discrimination policy on the ordination of women. As a prominent theologian, Shea knows that there is no credible reason for the Catholic Church not to accept women priests. In 1976, the Vatican's own scholars, the Pontifical Biblical Commission concluded that there was nothing in scripture that would prohibit women's ordination. Jesus did not ordain anyone. The Twelve referred to the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Jesus chose Mary of Magdala as the first witness to the Resurrection and entrusted the Good News at the Heart of Christianity to Mary, apostle to the apostles. The Catholic Church cannot continue to discriminate against women and blame Jesus for it!
The Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland and Austria have taken a position in favor of women's ordination. Let us hope that more and more priests will rise up to speak truth to the Vatican on women's equality in the church including ordination like Maryknoll priest Fr. Roy Bourgeous, Franciscan Fr. Jerry Zawada and now Fr. John Shea have done!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
Women Triumph/Sexual Shaming Will Not Be Tolerated/ Mary Magdalene Was Apostle/Not Prostitute/Sandra Fluke Vs. Rush Limbaugh
"Mary Magdalene to Rush Limbaugh: Your apology is too little, too late "
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
" Rush Limbaugh, conservative radio talk show host, attempted to silence women’s voices in the public square through sexual shaming. The early church did the same thing to Mary Magdalene, sexually shaming her in the 6th century, mistakenly calling her a prostitute, and effectively undercutting her spiritual authority."
"But today, women are not Mary Magdalene, demeaned by church authority and made into the poster woman for the repentant prostitute. Today, women have fought back against Limbaugh’s sexual shaming and they are winning.... Limbaugh has been dropped by at least seven advertisers at last count."
Bridget Mary's Reflection: Let's stand for justice rising up in all women everywhere who will no longer tolerate sexual shaming from anyone, including Rush Limbaugh. Let's stand for justice rising up in Roman Catholic Women Priests who are serving the people of God in inclusive, grassroots, Catholic communities! Check out Facebook and Twitter pages. Links are in article above.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
People of Faith Lobby Publix for Justice for Farm Workers/ You Can Make a Difference/
Dozens
of tomato pickers and their supporters will -- starting tonight -- abstain from
food until the solemn fast-breaking ceremony
Saturday at Publix HQ in Lakeland.
For several years,
Publix -- Florida's largest corporation, with $1.5 billion in profit last year
-- has refused to even meet to discuss the possibility of implementing the
groundbreaking Fair Food provisions in its tomato supply chain. Worse, their PR
team has consistently deflected the campaign by purposely misleading the public;
a fantastic Tampa Bay Times editorial today flatly debunks Publix's
responses as "disingenuous." (Read
it here.)
On the eve
of the CIW's six-day fast, a deluge of inspirational words has been rolling in
-- below is a small taste:
"Immokalee tomato pickers will, once again,
teach Publix and actually all of us a vital lesson in courage, of how to
transform inequality and upend injustice through the sacred power of
non-violence." -- Emmy Award-winning actor Martin Sheen
"Publix
claims, in its corporate mission statement, to be 'Involved as Responsible
Citizens in our Communities.' Now it has an opportunity to give real meaning to
those words--by helping to end the exploitation of farm workers whose
backbreaking labor fills the shelves at Publix supermarkets with good food. It's
a disgrace that a Florida company refuses to take responsibility for abuses
occurring within miles of its stores." -- Best-selling author and producer
Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation; Food, Inc.)
“What I
don’t like is the arrogance of their [Publix's] leadership and their
unwillingness to even sit down and talk with the CIW... Theirs is a morally
indefensible position and they can’t look the workers in the eye." -- the
Rev. Bernice Powell Jackson, President of the World Council of Churches from
North America
"On March 10th, 1968, my father broke bread
with Cesar Chavez in Delano, California, as he ended his historic non-violent
protest for farm labor justice. And so it is my great honor to commemorate that
day with farmworkers from Immokalee and allies from around the country as they
break their own fast outside Publix headquarters, the site where we rededicate
ourselves to bringing dignity to US agriculture and real, lasting respect for
human rights to our food system." -- Kerry Kennedy, President of the Robert
F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
Please
make plans to join farm-justice advocates from across the state on Saturday at
noon in Lakeland when the CIW breaks their fast -- details here!
Sincerely,
Jordan, Brigitte & Elena
Interfaith
Action of SW Florida
239 986
9101 -- www.InterfaithAct.org
People of
faith partnering with farmworkers to cultivate justice in the
fields
P.S. Make
a financial gift to advance our work for justice in Florida's tomato industry by
clicking here --
thanks! And please don't forget to buy tickets for our marvelous upcoming
fundraiser, the Back to Beethoven
concert in Naples on Sat, March 24th!
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
If you shop at Publix, visit store manager and speak up for justice for farm workers. It is time for Publix's leadership to do justice for farm workers. Sitting down and having a conversation with CIW is a first step! Join people of faith rising up for justice for farm workers. Jesus would!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
Sarasota, Florida
sofiabmm@aol.com
Sunday, March 4, 2012
The Archbishops of Dublin Challenges the Church/ Powerful Sixty Minutes Program on Sexual Abuse Scandal in Catholic Church in Ireland
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57390125/the-archbishop-of-dublin-challenges-the-church/?tag=contentMain;cbsCarousel
"Simon: To what extent, archbishop, do you think this crisis in the church is due to the sexual scandals?
Martin: Oh, enormously."
Simon:There's overwhelming evidence that the Church hierarchy was not only aware of the sexual abuse, but did little about it. The Dublin Archdiocese knew who the predator priests were, even wrote reports about them but then locked up the files. Investigators on a state panel, the Murphy Commission, asked for the files, but the Church refused until Diarmuid Martin became archbishop.
Martin: I provided the Murphy Commission investigation into Dublin Diocese over 65,000 documents. And the material was there. It was in my archives.
The documents revealed that one priest admitted abusing over a hundred children. Another said he abused children twice a month for 25 years. Archbishop Martin believes thousands of children suffered similar fates.
Martin: Abuse isn't-- it isn't-- it isn't just the, you know, the actual sexual acts, which are horrendous, but sexual abuse of a child is-- it's a total abuse of power. It's actually saying to a child, "I control you." And that is saying to the child, "You're worthless."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
It was refreshing to see the Sixty Minutes interview with Archbishop Martin of Dublin. He states the truth. He turned over the damaging evidence, unlike the majority of his brother bishops. He is to be commended for breaking ranks with the hierarchy.
The most powerful moment for me is when the Archbishop broke down as he described a meeting with 8 year old children in a chapel in Ireland. He asked to meet with the children so he could understand better he pain that a child of this age might suffer when raped by a priest in a chapel.
When will Pope Benedict take responsibility for the global cover-up that he directed? Things are so bad that even a top Vatican official accuses the Vatican of mafia like silence in the global cover-up of sexual abuse. See Reuters story.( link is in this blog)
Protecting the clerical, good old boys network is at the heart of this horrific story. Nothing short of a complete renewal of the church, including putting structures of accountability into place at every level of church life. This encompasses a renewed priestly renewed ministry and decision making roles for the community of faith, Catholics in the pews, in how their church is run.
The good news is that the faith of the people lives on in holy women and men everywhere including leaders of the church, like Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin. Now, I wonder if some of these bishops, like Martin, will rise up and support women priests, even, dare I say, have the courage to ordain women priests-- now that's a holy shakeup that would be welcome in Ireland, the land of women leaders, like co-patron saint, Bishop Brigit of Kildare! The Association of Irish Priests are on the right track with their supportive statement on women priests. So are the Austrian and German priests and theologians!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofabmm@aol.com
"Simon: To what extent, archbishop, do you think this crisis in the church is due to the sexual scandals?
Martin: Oh, enormously."
Simon:There's overwhelming evidence that the Church hierarchy was not only aware of the sexual abuse, but did little about it. The Dublin Archdiocese knew who the predator priests were, even wrote reports about them but then locked up the files. Investigators on a state panel, the Murphy Commission, asked for the files, but the Church refused until Diarmuid Martin became archbishop.
Martin: I provided the Murphy Commission investigation into Dublin Diocese over 65,000 documents. And the material was there. It was in my archives.
The documents revealed that one priest admitted abusing over a hundred children. Another said he abused children twice a month for 25 years. Archbishop Martin believes thousands of children suffered similar fates.
Martin: Abuse isn't-- it isn't-- it isn't just the, you know, the actual sexual acts, which are horrendous, but sexual abuse of a child is-- it's a total abuse of power. It's actually saying to a child, "I control you." And that is saying to the child, "You're worthless."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
It was refreshing to see the Sixty Minutes interview with Archbishop Martin of Dublin. He states the truth. He turned over the damaging evidence, unlike the majority of his brother bishops. He is to be commended for breaking ranks with the hierarchy.
The most powerful moment for me is when the Archbishop broke down as he described a meeting with 8 year old children in a chapel in Ireland. He asked to meet with the children so he could understand better he pain that a child of this age might suffer when raped by a priest in a chapel.
When will Pope Benedict take responsibility for the global cover-up that he directed? Things are so bad that even a top Vatican official accuses the Vatican of mafia like silence in the global cover-up of sexual abuse. See Reuters story.( link is in this blog)
Protecting the clerical, good old boys network is at the heart of this horrific story. Nothing short of a complete renewal of the church, including putting structures of accountability into place at every level of church life. This encompasses a renewed priestly renewed ministry and decision making roles for the community of faith, Catholics in the pews, in how their church is run.
The good news is that the faith of the people lives on in holy women and men everywhere including leaders of the church, like Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin. Now, I wonder if some of these bishops, like Martin, will rise up and support women priests, even, dare I say, have the courage to ordain women priests-- now that's a holy shakeup that would be welcome in Ireland, the land of women leaders, like co-patron saint, Bishop Brigit of Kildare! The Association of Irish Priests are on the right track with their supportive statement on women priests. So are the Austrian and German priests and theologians!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofabmm@aol.com
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Supporters of the Blunt Amendment “are on the wrong side of history,” says Catholic leader
|
For Immediate
Release
1 March 2012 Media Contact: David J. Nolan 202 986 6093 www.CatholicsforChoice.org |
|
By a vote of 51-48 this morning, US
Senators blocked an amendment sponsored by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) that would have
allowed any employer or insurance company to override an individual employee's
right to access comprehensive healthcare and therefore to make healthcare
decisions based on their own beliefs. Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for Choice, said, “This amendment was a direct attack on coverage for healthcare services, including no-copay contraceptive coverage, under the Affordable Care Act. It is likely just the first in a long line of maneuvers by conservatives who oppose access to a range of reproductive healthcare services, not just family planning, for everybody. We know that the vast majority of sexually active women, Catholic or not, use family planning. The intent of these conservative forces, with the full support of the nation’s 271 active Catholic bishops, is to deny coverage for all. “Bishop William Lori, chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, was one of the first to issue a statement after the vote, promising that this morning’s defeat would not deter the bishops, who ‘will build on this base of support as we pursue legislation in the House of Representatives.’ “Happily, we have seen many Catholic policymakers stand up in support of the availability of comprehensive contraceptive coverage. Legislators who oppose family planning are on the wrong side of history, and several may find this out the hard way when it comes to this year’s election cycle.” View this press release on the Catholics for Choice website. |
Catholic Hierarchy’s Views on Birth Control Misguided
http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/16/3876856/catholic-hierarchys-views-on-birth.html
I’m a practicing Catholic. I also practiced what 98 percent of other practicing Catholics practice, namely birth control. As a practicing Catholic, I know the bishops are wrong. Their view that contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans infringes on religious freedom is deeply problematic for three reasons:
First, not all religious practices can be allowed on the basis of religious freedom. A few include:
n Having sex with a minor (in practice, at least 109 American bishops, archbishops and cardinals have turned a blind eye to such activities within their dioceses).
n Polygamy.
n Stoning adulterers (though infrequent, such stoning is acceptable in Muslim countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia).
n Female circumcision.
There is no valid reason for a religion to be placed above the rights of women, men and children.
Second, the bishops’ views do not represent that of the majority of practicing Catholics. Numerous recent studies reveal that 98 percent of Catholics have practiced birth control. Simple observation reveals few Catholic families with 11-12 children, as was the case decades ago, because Catholics practice birth control.
Third, the intent of the bishops is not religious freedom, but maintaining power. Pope John Paul maintained that if the Church declared contraception was OK, they’d have to admit that:
n The Holy Spirit was on the side of the Protestant churches.
n Leaders of the church had condemned thousands of innocent human acts, forbidding, under pain of eternal damnation, a practice which would now be sanctioned.
n These acts would now be OK on principles cited by Protestants.
The church has mounted a big campaign against birth control because they won’t admit they made a mistake. It’s no wonder that one out of 10 Americans call themselves a former Catholic. With views so shabby, the Catholic hierarchy is destroying itself.
Diana Milesko
Anna Maria
Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/16/3876856/catholic-hierarchys-views-on-birth.html#storylink=cpy
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
"Seeking Communion, Finding Rejection" by Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post
http://thewashingtonpost.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
"Barbara Johnson and members of her family want the Archdiocese of Washington to remove a priest at a Gaithersburg church from his ministry duties. Johnson, an art-studio owner from the District, had come to St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg with her lesbian partner. The Rev. Marcel Guarnizo had learned of their relationship just before the service.
"Barbara Johnson and members of her family want the Archdiocese of Washington to remove a priest at a Gaithersburg church from his ministry duties. Johnson, an art-studio owner from the District, had come to St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg with her lesbian partner. The Rev. Marcel Guarnizo had learned of their relationship just before the service.
“He put his hand over the body of Christ and looked at me and said, ‘I can’t
give you Communion because you live with a woman, and in the eyes of the church,
that is a sin,’ ” she recalled Tuesday.
She reacted with stunned silence. Her anger and outrage have now led her and members of her family to demand that Guarnizo be removed from his ministry.
Family members said the priest left the altar while Johnson, 51, was delivering a eulogy and did not attend the burial or find another priest to be there...."
Bridget Mary' Reflection:
We have a reached a new low in the institutional Roman Catholic Church. The refusal of Rev. Marcel Guarnizo contradicts Jesus' words and example. Jesus, who wept with Martha and Mary when Lazarus died, would weep at the treatment of Barbara Johnson by this parish priest. Jesus invited all to come to him, he did not say except gays and lesbians! It is disgraceful to refuse communion to anyone, anytime, period! That is why women priests are attracting more and more justice seeking Catholics in our inclusive communities where everyone is welcome to receive sacraments at all our liturgies and sacramental celebrations.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
sofiabmm@aol.com
Excellent article by Mary Hunt:
She reacted with stunned silence. Her anger and outrage have now led her and members of her family to demand that Guarnizo be removed from his ministry.
Family members said the priest left the altar while Johnson, 51, was delivering a eulogy and did not attend the burial or find another priest to be there...."
Bridget Mary' Reflection:
We have a reached a new low in the institutional Roman Catholic Church. The refusal of Rev. Marcel Guarnizo contradicts Jesus' words and example. Jesus, who wept with Martha and Mary when Lazarus died, would weep at the treatment of Barbara Johnson by this parish priest. Jesus invited all to come to him, he did not say except gays and lesbians! It is disgraceful to refuse communion to anyone, anytime, period! That is why women priests are attracting more and more justice seeking Catholics in our inclusive communities where everyone is welcome to receive sacraments at all our liturgies and sacramental celebrations.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
sofiabmm@aol.com
Excellent article by Mary Hunt:
"Eucharist is not a Political Football"
Posted on February 29, 2012
Innisfree Village is Celebrating 40 years. The Albemarle Community Brings Together adults with Special Needs and their Volunteer Caregivers./NBC News
http://www.nbc29.com/story/17039374/innisfree-village-celebrates-40th-anniversary
"Innisfree Village is
celebrating 40 years. The Albemarle community brings together adults with
special needs and their volunteer caregivers.
They say, "It takes a village
to raise a family" and at Innisfree that consists of more than 30 residential
volunteers and 40 "co-workers" as they're called or adults with special needs.
Residents and their caregivers live as families, work, and play together in a
community unlike any other.
Rhonda Miska with the
Innisfree Village said, "We are different because we are not an institution,
we're not a group home. It's not a place where staff come and wear a nametag.
It's a place where we live together in family style homes and focus on what we
have in common not on what sets us apart."
"Co-workers" have a daily
routine of workshops, from weaving to woodworking, baking, farming and
therapeutic recreation. Their work is sold in area stores and the profit makes
its way back to the village.
The nonprofit just celebrated
its 40-year anniversary and it continues to grow. It is currently looking for
volunteers." Click here for more information.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
"Imposing Sharia: Roman Catholic Version" by Rabbi Waskow Arthur
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-arthur-waskow/imposing-sharia-roman-cat_b_1290752.html?view=print&comm_ref=false
"During the last few weeks, we have seen an outrageous attempt to impose sharia law on the US government and the American public.NOT Muslim sharia; it is Roman Catholic "sharia" about contraception that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has been trying to impose on Americans of all faiths and beliefs who happen to work at a Catholic-sponsored hospital or university.Have Muslims been campaigning to impose sharia law on US courts? NO! Of the many faces of Islam in America, the face of the future -- open in wonder and questioning -- is the one our society could be, should be, encouraging. This one:Yet the same voices -- Fox News, various candidates for President -- that have bitterly attacked non-existent attempts by American Muslims to impose sharia on the public have not criticized this actual real-life attempt at doing so by the bishops. Indeed, many of these same voices have supported the bishops.The bishops warned about "religious oppression" even when the Catholic Hospital Association celebrated the arrangement that the Obama Administration worked out, making sure that health insurance companies will pay for free contraception without involving the Catholic-sponsored employers who might object.The only threat to religious freedom was the attempt by the bishops to deny religious freedom to the employees of those institutions -- Catholics and others -- whose religious consciences are totally at peace with the use of contraception.Nobody is preventing the bishops from preaching their version of God's will. Their problem is that they have not persuaded Catholic women. (98 percent of them use artificial contraception; the rate among non-Catholic women is 99 percent). Perhaps the "flock" are not so sheep-like as to blindly obey teachings on sexuality from an all-male, all-celibate hierarchy..."Similarly, the Philadelphia Inquirer just reported (Feb 20, p. 1) that Catholic hospitals have in the last few years tied the tubes of thousands of women who after birthing a child asked for the procedure. The operation sterilizes them. No more kids. It violates Catholic religious law. Yet thousands of Catholics wanted it, and the hospitals affirmed their conscientious decision. Are the bishops playing games here? To benefit whom?The bishops are asserting that the only "Catholic" consciences that count are those of -- surprise! -- the bishops! Not parishioners, not women, not the adults who as children were molested or raped by priests who were protected by the bishops.
Those who brag that "The Church is not a democracy" might better ask themselves, "Why not?" Indeed, in the early centuries of the Church the people of Rome and other cities took part in electing their bishops -- in Rome, the Pope. Time to renew the tradition, and not just in Rome?...."
Rabbi recommends that you write to the editors of local news papers and on your FaceBook page, a brief letter along these lines but in your own words:
"Dear editor, I am horrified that all-male, all-celibate Roman Catholic bishops would try to manipulate governmental power in order to impose their own theology about contraception - one that 98% of Catholic women reject -- upon women of any and all faiths and beliefs who work in hospitals and universities. This is exactly the behavior that some people hysterically ascribe to Muslim sharia, though American Muslims have never even proposed or attempted doing what the bishops have just done. It would be - it is -- outrageous for any religious group to impose its theology on the public. And it is outrageous to falsely accuse Muslims or any other community of imposing its will in this way."Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Outstanding analysis by Rabbi Waskow. It is time to speak out! The male Roman Catholic bishops agenda should not become U.S. public policy. At stake, the religious freedom of the 99%!
At the end of the day, Catholics will live out their beliefs according to their consciences. They will also vote according to their consciences And women are the majority of the voters too!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Chicago Cardinal Said to Snub Irish Prime Minister’s visit over Vatican Embassy closure/Sexual Abuse Silence "Deadly" for Church: Vatican official (Reuters)
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Chicago-cardinal-said-to-snub-Irish-Prime-Ministers-visit-over-Vatican-Embassy-closure-140411403.html
Then, late last year, the Irish government decided to close their Vatican Embassy in a move widely seen as related to the strong criticism of the Vatican role in the sex abuse scandals....The Sun Times asks: “Has Cardinal George now become the latest participant in the 'cold war' between Ireland and the Vatican over... the Catholic Church’s failure to tell the truth about its major sexual-abuse scandal there?"
Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Chicago-cardinal-said-to-snub-Irish-Prime-Ministers-visit-over-Vatican-Embassy-closure-140411403.html#ixzz1ndmVtZ6i
Sexual abuse silence "deadly" for Church: Vatican official (Reuters)
ROME — Hiding behind a culture of "omerta" -- the Italian word for the Mafia's code of silence -- would be deadly for the Catholic Church, the Vatican's top official for dealing with sexual abuse of minors by clergy said Wednesday. Monsignor Charles Scicluna made the unusually forthright comment in his speech to a landmark symposium in Rome on the sexual abuse crisis that has rocked the Church in the past decade."The teaching ... that truth is at the basis of justice explains why a deadly culture of silence, or 'omerta,' is in itself wrong and unjust," Scicluna said in his address to the four-day symposium which brings together some 200 people including bishops, leaders of religious orders, victims of abuse and psychologists. Rarely, if ever, has a Vatican official used the word "omerta" - a serious accusation in Italian -- to compare the reluctance of some in the Church to come clean on the abuse scandal with the Mafia's code of silence.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46254582/ns/today/t/sexual-abuse-silence-deadly-church-vatican-official/
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Finally, a Vatican official coming out with the truth on the global sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the church.
Now the question is does Vatican have the will to make the structural changes that will reform the clerical culture of cover up and silence? Is the Vatican ready for married priests and women priests and an empowered role for the people of God as decision-makers in their own church?
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
"Cardinal Francis George of
Chicago has turned down an invitation to the Irish Fellowship Club’s St. Patrick
Day dinner, and speculation is rife that it is because Irish Prime Minister Enda
Kenny is the main speaker, the Chicago Sun Times has reported.
Kenny lashed out at the Vatican in a widely reported
attack last year over their refusal to cooperate in the inquiry into child
sexual abuse in the diocese of Cloyne in Cork.Then, late last year, the Irish government decided to close their Vatican Embassy in a move widely seen as related to the strong criticism of the Vatican role in the sex abuse scandals....The Sun Times asks: “Has Cardinal George now become the latest participant in the 'cold war' between Ireland and the Vatican over... the Catholic Church’s failure to tell the truth about its major sexual-abuse scandal there?"
Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Chicago-cardinal-said-to-snub-Irish-Prime-Ministers-visit-over-Vatican-Embassy-closure-140411403.html#ixzz1ndmVtZ6i
Sexual abuse silence "deadly" for Church: Vatican official (Reuters)
ROME — Hiding behind a culture of "omerta" -- the Italian word for the Mafia's code of silence -- would be deadly for the Catholic Church, the Vatican's top official for dealing with sexual abuse of minors by clergy said Wednesday. Monsignor Charles Scicluna made the unusually forthright comment in his speech to a landmark symposium in Rome on the sexual abuse crisis that has rocked the Church in the past decade."The teaching ... that truth is at the basis of justice explains why a deadly culture of silence, or 'omerta,' is in itself wrong and unjust," Scicluna said in his address to the four-day symposium which brings together some 200 people including bishops, leaders of religious orders, victims of abuse and psychologists. Rarely, if ever, has a Vatican official used the word "omerta" - a serious accusation in Italian -- to compare the reluctance of some in the Church to come clean on the abuse scandal with the Mafia's code of silence.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46254582/ns/today/t/sexual-abuse-silence-deadly-church-vatican-official/
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Finally, a Vatican official coming out with the truth on the global sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the church.
Now the question is does Vatican have the will to make the structural changes that will reform the clerical culture of cover up and silence? Is the Vatican ready for married priests and women priests and an empowered role for the people of God as decision-makers in their own church?
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
Leading priest Predicts the End of Celibacy in the Catholic Church
Three-time
Nobel Prize nominee makes remarks on Irish television
"Fr Shay Cullen has earned three Nobel Peace Prize
nominations for his work saving hundreds of children from a life of sexual abuse
in the Philippines.
For the past 40 years he has worked with the children
in a Filipino city of Olongapo.
Speaking to legendary Irish
broadcaster Gay Byrne on state television station RTE, Fr Cullen
predicted celibacy will soon be outdated....“All of the other Christian churches manage very well
and many Anglicans who were married and had family and children and came over to
the Catholics and were warmly accepted."
Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Leading-priest-predicts-the-end-of-celibacy-in-the-Catholic-Church-137877973.html#ixzz1ndkQvMWkArchdiocesan Official Accused of Covering Abuse Begins Trial/ Philadelphia
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/archdiocesan-official-accused-covering-abuse-begins-trial
“The whole country is watching because it’s a key moment in the ongoing story about how the church handles child sex abuse,” said Marci Hamilton, who holds the Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law at the Cardozo School of Law at New York’s Yeshiva University. Lynn’s case could push the focus beyond the perpetrator and to the systemic problems in the church, she said.
“I would really be surprised if [Lynn] were found to be not guilty. The evidence is compelling,” she said.
Hamilton, a leading church/state scholar and counsel in multiple sex abuse cases, said the prosecution’s case hinges on showing a pattern in the archdiocese of putting known clergy abusers of children in contact with other children.
To that end, the prosecution won a major pretrial victory when Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina ruled they could tell jurors how the archdiocese handled 22 past cases of alleged abuse.
“Those cases will be a part of establishing that it wasn’t simply one oversight, it wasn’t an accident that the survivor that’s at the heart of the case against Msgr. Lynn was put into danger’s way,” Hamilton said. “It was actually just an ongoing practice that he was following over the years. ... It wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t an oversight. It was a system of covering up child sex abuse.”
Bridget Mary's Reflection;
The heart of the issue is that it is systemic and global. Clericalism is the major issue and it's focus is protecting priests and bishops from scandal. Catholics in the pews must have decision-making authority in the Catholic Church in parishes, dioceses, and in the Vatican to create a more open, accountable and transparent church. And that includes equal numbers of women! The fox cannot guard the hen house.
“The whole country is watching because it’s a key moment in the ongoing story about how the church handles child sex abuse,” said Marci Hamilton, who holds the Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law at the Cardozo School of Law at New York’s Yeshiva University. Lynn’s case could push the focus beyond the perpetrator and to the systemic problems in the church, she said.
“I would really be surprised if [Lynn] were found to be not guilty. The evidence is compelling,” she said.
Hamilton, a leading church/state scholar and counsel in multiple sex abuse cases, said the prosecution’s case hinges on showing a pattern in the archdiocese of putting known clergy abusers of children in contact with other children.
To that end, the prosecution won a major pretrial victory when Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina ruled they could tell jurors how the archdiocese handled 22 past cases of alleged abuse.
“Those cases will be a part of establishing that it wasn’t simply one oversight, it wasn’t an accident that the survivor that’s at the heart of the case against Msgr. Lynn was put into danger’s way,” Hamilton said. “It was actually just an ongoing practice that he was following over the years. ... It wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t an oversight. It was a system of covering up child sex abuse.”
Bridget Mary's Reflection;
The heart of the issue is that it is systemic and global. Clericalism is the major issue and it's focus is protecting priests and bishops from scandal. Catholics in the pews must have decision-making authority in the Catholic Church in parishes, dioceses, and in the Vatican to create a more open, accountable and transparent church. And that includes equal numbers of women! The fox cannot guard the hen house.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Attorneys: Cardinal Ordered Memo on Priests Destroyed/Sexual Abuse Scandal Goes All the Way to the Vatican/ 2001 Edict/ Time for a Renewed Catholic Church
http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/24/justice/pennsylvania-church-abuse/index.html?iref=allsearch
CNN) -- A Philadelphia archdiocese official on trial for allegedly covering up the sexual abuse of children has asked a court to throw out charges against him based on a 1994 memo showing Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua ordered a list of suspected abusive Catholic priests to be destroyed.
Attorneys for Monsignor William Lynn asked a Philadelphia court to dismiss charges of conspiracy and child endangerment based on documents that Lynn had informed his superiors -- including the cardinal -- that priests in the archdiocese were assaulting children.
"The recent unexpected and shocking discovery of a March, 1994 memorandum composed by Monsignor James Molloy, Monsignor Lynn's then-supervisor, on the topic of this review, clearly reveals that justice demands that all charges against Monsignor Lynn be dropped," Lynn's attorneys said in a filing.
As revealed in court papers filed on Friday, Molloy's handwritten memo dated March 22, 1994, informed Bevilacqua that the secret list of 35 priests had been shredded per his instructions.
http://bsalert.com/artsearch.php?fn=2&as=1418&dt=1
"A BBC documentary has exposed that Pope Benedict XVI, aka Cardinal Ratzinger, played a leading role in a systematic cover-up of child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests.
In 2001, while he was a cardinal, he issued a secret Vatican edict to Catholic bishops all over the world, instructing them to put the Church's interests ahead of child safety.
The document recommended that rather than reporting sexual abuse to the relevant legal authorities, bishops should encourage the victim, witnesses and perpetrator not to talk about it. And, to keep victims quiet, it threatened that if they repeat the allegations they would be excommunicated."
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23369148-pope-led-cover-up-of-child-abuse-by-priests.do
"Five years ago he sent out an updated version of the notorious 1962 Vatican document Crimen Sollicitationis - Latin for The Crime of Solicitation - which laid down the Vatican's strict instructions on covering up sexual scandal. It was regarded as so secret that it came with instructions that bishops had to keep it locked in a safe at all times.
Cardinal Ratzinger reinforced the strict cover-up policy by introducing a new principle: that the Vatican must have what it calls Exclusive Competence. In other words, he commanded that all child abuse allegations should be dealt with direct by Rome.
Patrick Wall, a former Vatican-approved enforcer of the Crimen Sollicitationis in America, tells the programme: "I found out I wasn't working for a holy institution, but an institution that was wholly concentrated on protecting itself."
And Father Tom Doyle, a Vatican lawyer until he was sacked for criticising the church's handling of child abuse claims, says: "What you have here is an explicit written policy to cover up cases of child sexual abuse by the clergy and to punish those who would call attention to these crimes by the churchmen.
"When abusive priests are discovered, the response has been not to investigate and prosecute but to move them from one place to another. So there's total disregard for the victims and for the fact that you are going to have a whole new crop of victims in the next place. This is happening all over the world."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Catholics in Philadelphia must be reeling from this shocking betrayal by the hierarchy. For ten years, I was an Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister. I taught in grade schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and experienced the dedication of the nuns and people up close.
Now, the Archdiocese is closing or merging a large number of schools. What will happen to the next generation of Catholic school children? I feel sorry for the IHM nuns who have given everything for decades to educate the youth of Philadelphia. Now a number of their schools and convents will be closed. How sad! Who will take care of the elderly nuns in the order who are supported by the education ministry of their Sisters? Will the Archdiocese step up to the plate?
Philadelphia is only the tip of the iceberg in the sexual abuse scandal. This is part of a pattern that is global in scope. And it goes all the way to the top. Pope Benedict played a major role (as cited in the news links above) as Cardinal Ratzinger in his position as head of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith .
It is a disgrace that the Catholic Church has behaved like a crime family by covering up its crimes by threats and punishments.
Catholics worldwide are demanding change. Groups like Voice of the Faithful have been established to hold the institutional church accountable.
This is one of the reasons that alternative faith communities are rising up. More and more Catholics are welcoming a renewed Catholic Church with women-priests-led inclusive communities where transparency and accountability are the norm in a people, empowered church.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
CNN) -- A Philadelphia archdiocese official on trial for allegedly covering up the sexual abuse of children has asked a court to throw out charges against him based on a 1994 memo showing Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua ordered a list of suspected abusive Catholic priests to be destroyed.
Attorneys for Monsignor William Lynn asked a Philadelphia court to dismiss charges of conspiracy and child endangerment based on documents that Lynn had informed his superiors -- including the cardinal -- that priests in the archdiocese were assaulting children.
"The recent unexpected and shocking discovery of a March, 1994 memorandum composed by Monsignor James Molloy, Monsignor Lynn's then-supervisor, on the topic of this review, clearly reveals that justice demands that all charges against Monsignor Lynn be dropped," Lynn's attorneys said in a filing.
As revealed in court papers filed on Friday, Molloy's handwritten memo dated March 22, 1994, informed Bevilacqua that the secret list of 35 priests had been shredded per his instructions.
http://bsalert.com/artsearch.php?fn=2&as=1418&dt=1
"A BBC documentary has exposed that Pope Benedict XVI, aka Cardinal Ratzinger, played a leading role in a systematic cover-up of child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests.
In 2001, while he was a cardinal, he issued a secret Vatican edict to Catholic bishops all over the world, instructing them to put the Church's interests ahead of child safety.
The document recommended that rather than reporting sexual abuse to the relevant legal authorities, bishops should encourage the victim, witnesses and perpetrator not to talk about it. And, to keep victims quiet, it threatened that if they repeat the allegations they would be excommunicated."
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23369148-pope-led-cover-up-of-child-abuse-by-priests.do
"Five years ago he sent out an updated version of the notorious 1962 Vatican document Crimen Sollicitationis - Latin for The Crime of Solicitation - which laid down the Vatican's strict instructions on covering up sexual scandal. It was regarded as so secret that it came with instructions that bishops had to keep it locked in a safe at all times.
Cardinal Ratzinger reinforced the strict cover-up policy by introducing a new principle: that the Vatican must have what it calls Exclusive Competence. In other words, he commanded that all child abuse allegations should be dealt with direct by Rome.
Patrick Wall, a former Vatican-approved enforcer of the Crimen Sollicitationis in America, tells the programme: "I found out I wasn't working for a holy institution, but an institution that was wholly concentrated on protecting itself."
And Father Tom Doyle, a Vatican lawyer until he was sacked for criticising the church's handling of child abuse claims, says: "What you have here is an explicit written policy to cover up cases of child sexual abuse by the clergy and to punish those who would call attention to these crimes by the churchmen.
"When abusive priests are discovered, the response has been not to investigate and prosecute but to move them from one place to another. So there's total disregard for the victims and for the fact that you are going to have a whole new crop of victims in the next place. This is happening all over the world."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Catholics in Philadelphia must be reeling from this shocking betrayal by the hierarchy. For ten years, I was an Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister. I taught in grade schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and experienced the dedication of the nuns and people up close.
Now, the Archdiocese is closing or merging a large number of schools. What will happen to the next generation of Catholic school children? I feel sorry for the IHM nuns who have given everything for decades to educate the youth of Philadelphia. Now a number of their schools and convents will be closed. How sad! Who will take care of the elderly nuns in the order who are supported by the education ministry of their Sisters? Will the Archdiocese step up to the plate?
Philadelphia is only the tip of the iceberg in the sexual abuse scandal. This is part of a pattern that is global in scope. And it goes all the way to the top. Pope Benedict played a major role (as cited in the news links above) as Cardinal Ratzinger in his position as head of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith .
It is a disgrace that the Catholic Church has behaved like a crime family by covering up its crimes by threats and punishments.
Catholics worldwide are demanding change. Groups like Voice of the Faithful have been established to hold the institutional church accountable.
This is one of the reasons that alternative faith communities are rising up. More and more Catholics are welcoming a renewed Catholic Church with women-priests-led inclusive communities where transparency and accountability are the norm in a people, empowered church.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Links to Stories on Vatican Mandated Apostolic Visitation of Nuns/Time to End Sexism in our Church
http://ncronline.org/apostolicvisitation
Bridget Mary's Reflection
Anyway, you slice it, the nuns won this one! Let's hope the Vatican learned not to harass the women religious!
Now it is time for the nuns to talk back and take action!
Nuns have served the church for many decades and some have been doing priestly ministry quietly in priestless parishes with their orders' approval. I hope that the religious orders in which women are called to priestly ministry will find a way to proceed. The women priests movement does catacomb ordinations for those under threat, but, the ideal of course is to celebrate the call of the community to serve as a priest with the community in an open, prophetic way.
Sisters, it is time to cross the line of patriarchy's oppression, and join us in the prophetic journey to bring justice for women to our church in grassroots communities. We must be the change that we have dreamed of now.
Jesus set the pace. He called women as well men to follow him and treated them as equals and partners. In Luke 8, we read there were many women disciples! Jesus entrusted the most important message of Christianity to a woman apostle, Mary of Magdala, the apostle to the apostles! The Catholic Church should follow the example of Jesus. The Vatican cannot continue to discriminate against women and blame God for it. Sexism is a sin and must not be tolerated. The renewal of our church is in the hands of the people of God, which includes, of course, the nuns! This is a call to action!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
Bridget Mary's Reflection
Anyway, you slice it, the nuns won this one! Let's hope the Vatican learned not to harass the women religious!
Now it is time for the nuns to talk back and take action!
Nuns have served the church for many decades and some have been doing priestly ministry quietly in priestless parishes with their orders' approval. I hope that the religious orders in which women are called to priestly ministry will find a way to proceed. The women priests movement does catacomb ordinations for those under threat, but, the ideal of course is to celebrate the call of the community to serve as a priest with the community in an open, prophetic way.
Sisters, it is time to cross the line of patriarchy's oppression, and join us in the prophetic journey to bring justice for women to our church in grassroots communities. We must be the change that we have dreamed of now.
Jesus set the pace. He called women as well men to follow him and treated them as equals and partners. In Luke 8, we read there were many women disciples! Jesus entrusted the most important message of Christianity to a woman apostle, Mary of Magdala, the apostle to the apostles! The Catholic Church should follow the example of Jesus. The Vatican cannot continue to discriminate against women and blame God for it. Sexism is a sin and must not be tolerated. The renewal of our church is in the hands of the people of God, which includes, of course, the nuns! This is a call to action!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
Friday, February 24, 2012
An opportunity whose time has come" by Dorothy Pedtke
http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/opinion/sbt-20120224sbtmicha-05-05-20120224,0,4049026.story
"...At the Saturday presentation, several
women who had long felt frustrated and put down when they spoke of feeling
called to ordination were encouraged to speak of their own experience. Some had
been insulted for their "presumption." At best they were just told "no!" Priests
who are nice guys felt ashamed to speak so to these women, knowing no real cause
for this treatment. Others are not so compassionate. Many of us at the talk had
never thought much about the question, but on hearing about the experiences and
the shattered feelings of the women who felt called, we began to see the
injustice of the church's stance. Some attending who felt vocations heard for
the first time that a few women have already been ordained. They were in tears
with excitement. They don't feel they're defying the church. They feel called by
God and frustrated at not being able to accept. Now they have hope...."
What an abortifacient is -- and what it isn't by Jamie L. Manson/NCR Online
http://ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/what-abortifacient-and-what-it-isnt
"...The most important point that emerges from all of this research is that, so far, there is no scientific evidence that any FDA-approved contraception is capable of destroying an embryo. To say that any of these drugs are abortifacient is not only misleading, it does a profound disservice to women who find themselves in a situation where they might have to use one of these drugs or devices.According to the U.S. Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey, an average of 207,754 sexual assaults is reported in this country every year. And according to a study at Princeton, more than 25,000 women become pregnant every year after being sexually assaulted.The CHA did a fine job of arguing why emergency contraception should be available to all victims of sexual assault, regardless of the hospital's Catholic affiliation...Regardless of the situation, it is for a woman to decide what is best for her health and well-being.As we saw last week in the all-male panel testifying before Congress about contraception and in the statements of the Rick Santorum and his financial backers, the culture of shaming women for taking control of their sexuality is still a powerful force in this country. And the desire by men to take control of women's bodies seems equally powerful..."[Jamie L. Manson received her Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, where she studied Catholic theology and sexual ethics. Her columns for NCR earned her a first prize Catholic Press Association award for Best Column/Regular Commentary in 2010.]
"...The most important point that emerges from all of this research is that, so far, there is no scientific evidence that any FDA-approved contraception is capable of destroying an embryo. To say that any of these drugs are abortifacient is not only misleading, it does a profound disservice to women who find themselves in a situation where they might have to use one of these drugs or devices.According to the U.S. Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey, an average of 207,754 sexual assaults is reported in this country every year. And according to a study at Princeton, more than 25,000 women become pregnant every year after being sexually assaulted.The CHA did a fine job of arguing why emergency contraception should be available to all victims of sexual assault, regardless of the hospital's Catholic affiliation...Regardless of the situation, it is for a woman to decide what is best for her health and well-being.As we saw last week in the all-male panel testifying before Congress about contraception and in the statements of the Rick Santorum and his financial backers, the culture of shaming women for taking control of their sexuality is still a powerful force in this country. And the desire by men to take control of women's bodies seems equally powerful..."[Jamie L. Manson received her Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, where she studied Catholic theology and sexual ethics. Her columns for NCR earned her a first prize Catholic Press Association award for Best Column/Regular Commentary in 2010.]
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Lent: Pray, Fast and Give to Challenge Injustice
http://www.christfaithpower.com/2011/03/09/ash-wednesday/ (Check out this great site, the following reflection is from Ash Wednesday entry there.)
Joel (2:12-18) calls for a fast... Joel does not call individuals to repentance. He calls the whole community...
When we look
at Jesus’ life and his final days, one thing stands out. Jesus suffered the
agony of capital punishment crucifixion because he challenged unjust
structures—Roman occupation and priestly burdens upon his followers. Lent is
then about following Jesus and challenging the unjust structures in our
government and our church which hold us captive. John Dear offers ten principles
of resistance to the vagaries of empire during Lent http://ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/lent-practice-spirituality-resistance.
... We are so
often complicit in the injustices of empire that we do not even realize it.
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving prepare us to challenge injustice wherever we may
find it.We sometimes restrict our concept of fasting to moderation in food and drink. Fasting refers to all consumption. Descartes’ “I think therefore I am” has morphed into “I consume therefore I am.” Merton railed against technology and commodification. He decried our focus on things and doing. He bemoaned conspicuous consumption. He reminds us that we are human beings. We ARE in the great I AM.
Isaiah expands the concept of fasting that is acceptable to God:
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the
homeless; Clothing the naked when
you see them, and not turning your
back on your own. (58:6-7)
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Contraception Furor v. Catholic Realities The current flap over health care is about birth control, it is not about religious liberty, and it is not over. By Mary E. Hunt
-
"Not Religious Liberty, but Religious Influence
The bishops’ issue is not religious liberty, but religious influence, namely, their own which is on the wane. The institutional Roman Catholic Church squandered the political clout it once enjoyed. Clergy sexual abuse cases and their cover-up by bishops are unspeakable crimes that cost more than just the billions of dollars spent to adjudicate cases and compensate victims. They cost credibility...The bishops remain dissatisfied with the Obama compromise and vow to fight on. Most Catholics are just glad that most women will have access to contraception, provided that the insurance companies step up to the plate. But the question that is far from settled in a democracy is how one huge religious group gets its many voices heard. Catholic voters will have a chance to express their commitment to women at the ballot box"
'Call to Disobedience': A Rift in the German-Speaking Catholic Church
A
call by reform-minded Catholics in the German-speaking world for the
church to soften its stances on homosexuality, divorce and celibacy
among priests and to end its ban on women in the clergy is drawing loud
criticism from conservatives. They argue the group is threatening to
create a schism within the Catholic Church.
You can download the complete article over the Internet at the following
URL:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,816528,00.html
More about this issue
---------------------------
Assessing the Pope's Visit: Germany At Odds With Benedict XVI
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,788388,00.html
The World From Berlin: 'The Pope Can't Neglect What's Happening in His
Own Church'
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,788048,00.html
Mission Clarity: Pope Benedict's Blunt New World
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,788054,00.html
The Pope Comes Home: Benedict Criticizes Lack of Religiosity in Germany
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,787791,00.html
Fighting the Dictatorship of Relativism: The Pope's Role in the New
Battle for Religion
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,787808,00.html
Theologian Hans Küng on Pope Benedict: 'A Putinization of the Catholic
Church'
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,787325,00.html
Disillusioned German Catholics: The Pope's Difficult Visit to His
Homeland
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,787314,00.html
church to soften its stances on homosexuality, divorce and celibacy
among priests and to end its ban on women in the clergy is drawing loud
criticism from conservatives. They argue the group is threatening to
create a schism within the Catholic Church.
You can download the complete article over the Internet at the following
URL:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,816528,00.html
More about this issue
---------------------------
Assessing the Pope's Visit: Germany At Odds With Benedict XVI
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,788388,00.html
The World From Berlin: 'The Pope Can't Neglect What's Happening in His
Own Church'
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,788048,00.html
Mission Clarity: Pope Benedict's Blunt New World
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,788054,00.html
The Pope Comes Home: Benedict Criticizes Lack of Religiosity in Germany
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,787791,00.html
Fighting the Dictatorship of Relativism: The Pope's Role in the New
Battle for Religion
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,787808,00.html
Theologian Hans Küng on Pope Benedict: 'A Putinization of the Catholic
Church'
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,787325,00.html
Disillusioned German Catholics: The Pope's Difficult Visit to His
Homeland
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,787314,00.html
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Santorum Exalts Inequality/ Op. Ed. New York Times/ Mentions Women Priests Hiring as Example of Employment Discrimination Issues
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/opinion/blow-santorum-exalts-inequality.html?_r=1&src=recg
Then again, Santorum is becoming increasingly unhinged in his public comments. Last week, he said that the president was arguing that Catholics would have to “hire women priests to comply with employment discrimination issues. Also last week, he suggested that liberals and the president were leading religious people into oppression and even beheadings. I kid you not. Santorum said: “They are taking faith and crushing it. Why? When you marginalize faith in America, when you remove the pillar of God-given rights, then what’s left is the French Revolution. What’s left is a government that gives you rights. What’s left are no unalienable rights. What’s left is a government that will tell you who you are, what you’ll do and when you’ll do it. What’s left in France became the guillotine.”
Bridget Mary's Reflection
It is hard to imagine that Rick Santorum is serious, but apparently he is. Yes, indeed, women priests would make a difference, a huge structural change in the Catholic Church that would be welcomed by millions of Catholics. It is true that gender inequality is at the heart of the institutional church's major issues. This is rooted in sexism and yes, results in discrimination against women in barring the doors to priestly ministry, However, the Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement have found a way around the hierarchy and are now serving in grassroots communities in 8 countries.
Bridget Mary Meehan
sofiabmm@aol.com
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Then again, Santorum is becoming increasingly unhinged in his public comments. Last week, he said that the president was arguing that Catholics would have to “hire women priests to comply with employment discrimination issues. Also last week, he suggested that liberals and the president were leading religious people into oppression and even beheadings. I kid you not. Santorum said: “They are taking faith and crushing it. Why? When you marginalize faith in America, when you remove the pillar of God-given rights, then what’s left is the French Revolution. What’s left is a government that gives you rights. What’s left are no unalienable rights. What’s left is a government that will tell you who you are, what you’ll do and when you’ll do it. What’s left in France became the guillotine.”
Bridget Mary's Reflection
It is hard to imagine that Rick Santorum is serious, but apparently he is. Yes, indeed, women priests would make a difference, a huge structural change in the Catholic Church that would be welcomed by millions of Catholics. It is true that gender inequality is at the heart of the institutional church's major issues. This is rooted in sexism and yes, results in discrimination against women in barring the doors to priestly ministry, However, the Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement have found a way around the hierarchy and are now serving in grassroots communities in 8 countries.
Bridget Mary Meehan
sofiabmm@aol.com
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Saturday, February 18, 2012
"What People Talk About Before They Die" by Kerry Egan
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/28/my-faith-what-people-talk-about-before-they-die/
"Even in these cases, I am amazed at the strength of the human soul. People who did not know love in their families know that they should have been loved. They somehow know what was missing, and what they deserved as children and adults.When the love is imperfect, or a family is destructive, something else can be learned: forgiveness. The spiritual work of being human is learning how to love and how to forgive. We don’t have to use words of theology to talk about God; people who are close to death almost never do. We should learn from those who are dying that the best way to teach our children about God is by loving each other wholly and forgiving each other fully - just as each of us longs to be loved and forgiven by our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters."
"Even in these cases, I am amazed at the strength of the human soul. People who did not know love in their families know that they should have been loved. They somehow know what was missing, and what they deserved as children and adults.When the love is imperfect, or a family is destructive, something else can be learned: forgiveness. The spiritual work of being human is learning how to love and how to forgive. We don’t have to use words of theology to talk about God; people who are close to death almost never do. We should learn from those who are dying that the best way to teach our children about God is by loving each other wholly and forgiving each other fully - just as each of us longs to be loved and forgiven by our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters."
"Bad Reaction"/Commonweal Editorial on Bishops and Contraception Mandate/ Attack on Women's Health Care Rights/Conscience/Religious Freedom
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/print/6166#.Tz_wJz6Yyl0.mailto
"Even before all the details of the president’s proposal were known, the bishops rejected it and then upped the ante by insisting that the only possible solution was to repeal the mandate altogether. In other words, the bishops are now demanding that no employer be required to offer free contraception coverage to its employees. To justify their response, they offered only the most tendentious reading of the possible flaws in Obama’s proposal. Now the USCCB is threatening a concerted political and public-relations campaign—during an election year—that casts the president as a determined enemy of religious freedom."
Bridget Mary's Reflection
The bishops attempt to demand the mandate is an attack on women's rights to health care, their conscience and religious freedom. Why do the bishops have the right to impose their views on Catholics and non-Catholics alike? We do have separation of church and state in the U.S. Isn't that one of the basic tenets of our democracy?
"Even before all the details of the president’s proposal were known, the bishops rejected it and then upped the ante by insisting that the only possible solution was to repeal the mandate altogether. In other words, the bishops are now demanding that no employer be required to offer free contraception coverage to its employees. To justify their response, they offered only the most tendentious reading of the possible flaws in Obama’s proposal. Now the USCCB is threatening a concerted political and public-relations campaign—during an election year—that casts the president as a determined enemy of religious freedom."
Bridget Mary's Reflection
The bishops attempt to demand the mandate is an attack on women's rights to health care, their conscience and religious freedom. Why do the bishops have the right to impose their views on Catholics and non-Catholics alike? We do have separation of church and state in the U.S. Isn't that one of the basic tenets of our democracy?
Darrell Issa's First Panel on Contraception Coverage Had Zero Female Witnesses
http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/02/16/issa_s_first_panel_of_witnesses_on_contraception_hearings_included_no_women_.html
"Refusing to acknowledge that their stated concerns were addressed is simply revealing that the Republican war on contraception coverage is in fact a war on contraception itself, and no amount of hyperbole Rep. Darrell Issa uses in titling hearings can change that..."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
It appears that the Republicans are following the U.S. bishops in their war on contraception and on women by excluding them from sharing their experiences about family planning and women's health care issues. Like the Panel on Contraception, the U.S. Bishops have zero females in decision making and they certainly did not consult any woman. 98% of Roman Catholic women have used contraception at some point in their reproductive lives, and a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute reported that even among Catholics, 52 percent back the Obama policy: they believe that religiously affiliated universities and hospitals should be madated to include birth control coverage in insurance plans. The majority of Catholics are supportive of this policy because it protects women's health. So are women and the rest of the population. Women's health and well-being should be discussed by a panel that includes women in proportion to the population. By excluding women from the Panel on Contraception, the Republicans are following the example of the bishops whose misogynist behavior excludes women from the priesthood and decision-making in issues that impact their lives including human sexuality. The agenda is elimination of contraception not just for Catholic women, but for all women. Is this the Republican agenda too? Listen carefully to what the candidates are saying about contraception.
"Refusing to acknowledge that their stated concerns were addressed is simply revealing that the Republican war on contraception coverage is in fact a war on contraception itself, and no amount of hyperbole Rep. Darrell Issa uses in titling hearings can change that..."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
It appears that the Republicans are following the U.S. bishops in their war on contraception and on women by excluding them from sharing their experiences about family planning and women's health care issues. Like the Panel on Contraception, the U.S. Bishops have zero females in decision making and they certainly did not consult any woman. 98% of Roman Catholic women have used contraception at some point in their reproductive lives, and a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute reported that even among Catholics, 52 percent back the Obama policy: they believe that religiously affiliated universities and hospitals should be madated to include birth control coverage in insurance plans. The majority of Catholics are supportive of this policy because it protects women's health. So are women and the rest of the population. Women's health and well-being should be discussed by a panel that includes women in proportion to the population. By excluding women from the Panel on Contraception, the Republicans are following the example of the bishops whose misogynist behavior excludes women from the priesthood and decision-making in issues that impact their lives including human sexuality. The agenda is elimination of contraception not just for Catholic women, but for all women. Is this the Republican agenda too? Listen carefully to what the candidates are saying about contraception.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Catholic Bishops Step Up Campaign Against Contraceptive in Parishes Across U.S./Time to Oppose Bishops by Calling Representatives to Support Contraceptives and Family Planning as Pro-Lfe and Pro-Woman
The USCCB has sent out a bulletin insert to be included in parish bulletins. Please include this in next weekend's bulletin, as its timeliness is dependent upon Congressional action. If you have other methods of distributing this content (websites, Facebook pages, etc), that would be wonderful. More information regarding the HHS Mandate is likely forthcoming. Thank you for your support in this effort to restore religious liberty and freedom of conscience!
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street NE - Washington DC 20017-1194 - Fax 202-541-3166
BULLETIN INSERT
Sweeping HHS Mandate Stands, Violating Conscience Rights and Religious Liberty
Congress Must Act to Fix the Problem
On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. The exemption provided for "religious employers" was so narrow that it failed to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations-including Catholic hospitals, universities, and charities-that help millions every year. Ironically, not even Jesus and his disciples would have qualified for the exemption, because it excludes those who mainly serve people of another faith. On February 10, the Obama Administration made this rule final "without change"; delayed enforcement for a year against religious nonprofits that were still not exempted (our charities, hospitals, and colleges); and promised to develop more regulations to "accommodate" them by the end of that additional year. But, as explained below, that promised "accommodation" still forces them to pay for "services" that violate their religious convictions. The original rule that violated our religious liberty so severely has not been changed, but finalized. After touting meaningful changes in the mandate, HHS instead finalized the original rule that was first issued in August 2011 "without change." So the offensive definition of "religious employer"-which excludes our charities, hospitals, and colleges because they serve people of other faiths-is still in place, and those institutions are still subject to the mandate. HHS has promised some kind of "accommodation," but only after the election. HHS said it would take an additional year to develop more regulations to "accommodate" religiously-affiliated charities, schools, and hospitals that still fall outside the "religious employer" exemption. The impact of these additional rules will not be felt until after the election, the only point of public accountability for the Executive Branch. This eliminates an important incentive for HHS to provide the best protection for religious liberty The promised "accommodation"-even at its best-would still force our institutions to violate their beliefs. Under the proposed "accommodation," if an employee of these religious institutions wants coverage of contraception or sterilization directly from the insurer, the objecting employer is still forced to pay for it as a part of the employer's insurance plan. Since there is no other source, the funds to pay for that coverage must come from the premiums of the employer and fellow employees, even those who object in conscience.
There is no exemption for objecting insurers, secular employers, for-profit religious employers, or individuals.
The U.S. bishops defend religious liberty for all, and so have repeatedly identified all the stakeholders in the process whose religious freedom is threatened by the mandate-all employers, insurers, and individuals, not just religious employers. Now, all insurers, including self-insurers, must provide the coverage to any employee who wants it. In turn, all individuals who pay premiums have no escape from subsidizing that coverage. And only employers that are both non-profit and religious may qualify for the limited "accommodation." We urgently need legislation to correct the mandate's threats to religious liberty and conscience rights. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) to ensure that those who participate in the market for health insurance "retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions."
ACTION: Contact your U.S. Representative by e-mail, phone, or FAX letter:
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members' local offices. Send your email to Congress through http://www.flacathconf.org/religiousfreedom Additional contact info can be found on Members' web sites at: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
MESSAGE: "Please co-sponsor and support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). The Obama administration's decision to mandate coverage of sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, makes passage of this measure especially urgent. Please ensure that the religious liberty and conscience rights of all participants in our nation's health care system are respected."
Billy Atwell
Director of Communications
Diocese of Venice in Florida
941-484-9543 (office)
941-484-1121 (fax) www.dioceseofvenice.org
www.facebook.com/DioceseofVenice
www.vimeo.com/DioceseofVenice
Bridget Mary's Reflection;
Contact your congressional representatives to oppose the bishops campaign and provide cover for women's health and reproductive family planning as a matter of their conscience and freedom of religion. The U.S. bishops do not represent the majority of Catholics. Tell Congress and the White House that the health of women including contraceptive coverage is what you support as a Catholic and a citizen of the United States. This is an issue of human rights and justice for women as equal images of God who can and should make their own moral decisions on family planning including use of contraceptives.
Jesus had no policy on contraceptives so the bishops should not act as if this is an issue for him. Jesus treated all with compassion and non-judgment. One could argue that Jesus would be angry with the bishops as he was with the religous leaders of his time for placing heavy burdens on the people. Now the bishops are imposing their ethics on women, specifically women who cannot afford children and do not want to became pregnant. They are denying women their rights to be free moral agents who make these decisions according to conscience.
What ever happend to the bishops pro-life stance that aimed to prevent abortions? Contaceptives prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
Yes, indeed, get in touch with your congressional representative as the bishops advise, but tell him to support women's health, freedom of conscience and religious liberty to chose when to bring children into this world. 98% of Catholic women have used contraceptives, the bishops do not represent them in this campaign. The bishops cannot continue to discrimnate against women and blame Obama for it. (as in Obama health care that mandates insurance coverage for contraceptives.)
Bridget Mary Meehan
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street NE - Washington DC 20017-1194 - Fax 202-541-3166
BULLETIN INSERT
Sweeping HHS Mandate Stands, Violating Conscience Rights and Religious Liberty
Congress Must Act to Fix the Problem
On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. The exemption provided for "religious employers" was so narrow that it failed to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations-including Catholic hospitals, universities, and charities-that help millions every year. Ironically, not even Jesus and his disciples would have qualified for the exemption, because it excludes those who mainly serve people of another faith. On February 10, the Obama Administration made this rule final "without change"; delayed enforcement for a year against religious nonprofits that were still not exempted (our charities, hospitals, and colleges); and promised to develop more regulations to "accommodate" them by the end of that additional year. But, as explained below, that promised "accommodation" still forces them to pay for "services" that violate their religious convictions. The original rule that violated our religious liberty so severely has not been changed, but finalized. After touting meaningful changes in the mandate, HHS instead finalized the original rule that was first issued in August 2011 "without change." So the offensive definition of "religious employer"-which excludes our charities, hospitals, and colleges because they serve people of other faiths-is still in place, and those institutions are still subject to the mandate. HHS has promised some kind of "accommodation," but only after the election. HHS said it would take an additional year to develop more regulations to "accommodate" religiously-affiliated charities, schools, and hospitals that still fall outside the "religious employer" exemption. The impact of these additional rules will not be felt until after the election, the only point of public accountability for the Executive Branch. This eliminates an important incentive for HHS to provide the best protection for religious liberty The promised "accommodation"-even at its best-would still force our institutions to violate their beliefs. Under the proposed "accommodation," if an employee of these religious institutions wants coverage of contraception or sterilization directly from the insurer, the objecting employer is still forced to pay for it as a part of the employer's insurance plan. Since there is no other source, the funds to pay for that coverage must come from the premiums of the employer and fellow employees, even those who object in conscience.
There is no exemption for objecting insurers, secular employers, for-profit religious employers, or individuals.
The U.S. bishops defend religious liberty for all, and so have repeatedly identified all the stakeholders in the process whose religious freedom is threatened by the mandate-all employers, insurers, and individuals, not just religious employers. Now, all insurers, including self-insurers, must provide the coverage to any employee who wants it. In turn, all individuals who pay premiums have no escape from subsidizing that coverage. And only employers that are both non-profit and religious may qualify for the limited "accommodation." We urgently need legislation to correct the mandate's threats to religious liberty and conscience rights. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) to ensure that those who participate in the market for health insurance "retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions."
ACTION: Contact your U.S. Representative by e-mail, phone, or FAX letter:
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members' local offices. Send your email to Congress through http://www.flacathconf.org/religiousfreedom Additional contact info can be found on Members' web sites at: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
MESSAGE: "Please co-sponsor and support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). The Obama administration's decision to mandate coverage of sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, makes passage of this measure especially urgent. Please ensure that the religious liberty and conscience rights of all participants in our nation's health care system are respected."
Billy Atwell
Director of Communications
Diocese of Venice in Florida
941-484-9543 (office)
941-484-1121 (fax) www.dioceseofvenice.org
www.facebook.com/DioceseofVenice
www.vimeo.com/DioceseofVenice
Bridget Mary's Reflection;
Contact your congressional representatives to oppose the bishops campaign and provide cover for women's health and reproductive family planning as a matter of their conscience and freedom of religion. The U.S. bishops do not represent the majority of Catholics. Tell Congress and the White House that the health of women including contraceptive coverage is what you support as a Catholic and a citizen of the United States. This is an issue of human rights and justice for women as equal images of God who can and should make their own moral decisions on family planning including use of contraceptives.
Jesus had no policy on contraceptives so the bishops should not act as if this is an issue for him. Jesus treated all with compassion and non-judgment. One could argue that Jesus would be angry with the bishops as he was with the religous leaders of his time for placing heavy burdens on the people. Now the bishops are imposing their ethics on women, specifically women who cannot afford children and do not want to became pregnant. They are denying women their rights to be free moral agents who make these decisions according to conscience.
What ever happend to the bishops pro-life stance that aimed to prevent abortions? Contaceptives prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
Yes, indeed, get in touch with your congressional representative as the bishops advise, but tell him to support women's health, freedom of conscience and religious liberty to chose when to bring children into this world. 98% of Catholic women have used contraceptives, the bishops do not represent them in this campaign. The bishops cannot continue to discrimnate against women and blame Obama for it. (as in Obama health care that mandates insurance coverage for contraceptives.)
Bridget Mary Meehan
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
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