An Open Letter to Pope Leo XIV Calling for Dialogue with Roman Catholic Women Priests and Inclusive Catholic Communities

Dear Pope Leo XIV,

I am heartened by your dialogue with LGBTQI Catholics in the spirit of a Synodal Church that reaches to the margins with mutual respect. Your willingness to listen and engage offers hope to many who have long felt excluded. In that same spirit, we ask that this openness be extended to women called to priestly ministry.

As Roman Catholic Women Priests and members of inclusive Catholic communities around the world, we respectfully note that we have been requesting an opportunity for dialogue with you since you became pope.

Like our LGBTQI sisters and brothers, we find ourselves on the margins of the institutional Church. Although Canon Law has declared our ordinations invalid and imposed excommunication, we continue to follow our consciences and our call from God. We persist because we believe the Holy Spirit is at work among the People of God, inviting the Church toward greater justice and equality.

We remain deeply committed to the Gospel, the Eucharist, and a Church that reflects the inclusive love of Jesus.

For more than two decades, women priests have served vibrant faith communities across the globe. We celebrate the sacraments, accompany people in times of joy and sorrow, and build communities rooted in compassion, equality, and shared leadership. Our ministries respond to the spiritual hunger of many Catholics seeking a welcoming Church where all are valued and invited to participate according to their gifts.

The Synod on Synodality has called the Church into a process of listening and discernment. We believe this requires hearing not only those within established structures, but also those whose voices have been excluded. We ask for the opportunity to share our experiences and vision for a renewed Church.

We come as faithful disciples seeking conversation, inspired by Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, and the countless women whose ministries have sustained the Church throughout history.

We trust that the Spirit who guided the early Church continues to lead us toward deeper communion and fuller equality.

Pope Leo, we ask for a meeting or listening session. We believe such an encounter can open new pathways of understanding and help our Church more fully reflect the love of Christ.

With prayer, hope, and openness to the Spirit,

Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan
 ARCWP

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

sofiabmm.bmm@gmail.com

+1- 703-505-0004

Welcome to my New Website: A Place of Prayer, Healing and Inclusive Community- Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

 https://bridgetmarymeehan.author-pages.com/

Welcome to My  New Website

A Place of Prayer, Hope, Healing, and Inclusive Community

Welcome, dear friend.

I am delighted that our paths have crossed.

Whether you arrived here seeking healing, spiritual nourishment, inclusive liturgical resources, or simply a word of hope, I invite you to make yourself at home. This website is a gathering place for all who long to experience the boundless love of God and to share that love with our world.

Throughout my life as a priest, bishop, teacher, author, and spiritual companion, I have witnessed the extraordinary ways Divine Love works in ordinary lives. Again and again, I have seen people discover healing after loss, courage in difficult times, hope in moments of uncertainty, and joy in communities where everyone is welcomed, valued, and loved.

My books are an extension of that journey.

Healing Prayers and Blessings for Everyday Life

My newest book, Healing Prayers and Blessings for Everyday Life, was written for anyone carrying burdens, grief, anxiety, brokenness, or longing for peace.

Within its pages you will find heartfelt prayers, reflections, and blessings designed to accompany you through life's challenges and celebrations. The central message is simple yet transformative:

You are healing.
You are loved.
You are a blessing.

No matter where you are on your journey, Divine Love is already present, holding you, strengthening you, and guiding you toward wholeness.

Creating an Inclusive Catholic Community: Liturgies, Homilies and Resources

My second new book, Creating an Inclusive Catholic Community, is a practical and inspiring resource for communities seeking to embody the radical welcome of Jesus.

Drawing on my experience with inclusive Catholic communities and the worldwide Roman Catholic Women Priests movement, this book offers liturgies, homilies, blessings, prayers, sacramental celebrations, and resources that affirm the dignity and gifts of every person.

It is rooted in a vision of Church as a community of equals—a place where all are welcomed to the table, all voices are honored, and all are invited to serve according to their gifts.

A Ministry of Hope

Over the years, I have been blessed to write more than twenty books on prayer, spirituality, women's leadership, justice, and renewal in the Church. Through my blog, retreats, teaching, and pastoral ministry, I continue to share a message of hope grounded in the Gospel.

I believe that the Holy Spirit is alive and active among us today, calling us to deeper compassion, greater inclusivity, and a renewed understanding of God's unconditional love.

Join the Journey

I invite you to explore the resources on this website, browse my books, read reflections, and discover prayers and blessings for your own spiritual journey.

Whether you are searching for healing, seeking a more inclusive expression of faith, longing for community, or simply looking for encouragement, know that you are welcome here.

May you find comfort in times of sorrow, strength in times of challenge, and joy in the knowledge that you are deeply loved by God.

Together, may we continue creating a world—and a Church—where all are welcomed, all are valued, and all are loved.

With gratitude and blessings,

Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan
Roman Catholic Woman Priest and Bishop
Author, Spiritual Guide, and Advocate for Gospel Equality

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Remembering My Dad and Praying for All Fathers on Father’s Day

Today I remember my dear Dad, Jack Meehan, a devoted father whose love, sacrifice, and joyful spirit were a blessing in our family’s life.

In 1956, my parents, Jack and Bridie Meehan, made the courageous decision to leave Ireland and bring my brothers Patrick and Sean and me to the United States so that we could flourish and have opportunities that were difficult to find in our homeland at that time.

Dad worked three jobs to provide a better life for us. With the support of our wonderful Aunt Molly, our family was blessed with opportunities, including a good education and the chance to pursue our dreams. Yet what stands out most vividly in my memory is the reason we left Ireland in the first place.

Dad often reminded us that he did not want our family to be separated in order to survive. In those days, many Irish fathers had to leave their families behind and seek work in England to support loved ones at home. Dad wanted something different for us. He wanted our family to stay together. And that is exactly what he made possible.

In Ireland, Dad worked as a porter in a bank and played music with Billy Ryan’s Band. After immigrating to the United States, he earned his engineering license and worked in building maintenance while also leading a band that performed at congressional and embassy events throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

My brothers and I learned from Dad not so much through his words as through his example. We grew up in a happy home, largely unaware of how hard he worked because his joyful spirit, generous heart, and unwavering love were what shone through.

Dad also supported me throughout my journey as a sister, priest, and bishop. Even when my path led me to serve on the margins of a Church not yet ready to embrace the ministry of women priests, he encouraged me to follow my conscience and live my dreams.

On this Father’s Day, I give thanks for my Dad and for all fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, godfathers, mentors, and father figures whose love, sacrifice, and guidance have blessed our lives.

May all fathers know how deeply they are appreciated. May those who have died rest in the embrace of Divine Love. And may we honor their legacy by building families, communities, and a world rooted in love, compassion, and hope.

Happy Father’s Day!

Our last Father’s Day Celebration with Dad

https://jackbridgetmarymeehan.blogspot.com/2012/06/blog-post.html?m=1

Dad plays at American Legion in 2005 in. Sarasota 

https://youtu.be/LUCo9MV1ppw

See Video below of Jack Meehan in Ireland with Family on Video that Aired on TV in DC/VA. area.

https://youtu.be/SJK6kwq3d8s

Features beautiful landscapes of the Aran Islands, the breathtaking mountains and lakes of Connemara, Cliffs of Moher. Explore sacred sites of Celtic Saints such as St. Enda's well, St. Gobnait's Church and St. Patrick's holy mountain.   Jack  narrates  the characteristics of Celtic spirituality through the lens of our Irish family heritage. Enjoy some beautiful Irish tunes like Galway Bay, Danny Boy, the Rose of Tralee and many more played by Jack and Dan Hallissey.  This program aired on Godtalk on public access TV in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC . I wrote a book about Celtic spirituality, Praying with Celtic Spirituality, available on online retailers including
amazon. https://smile.amazon.com/Praying-Celtic-Women-Bridget-Meehan/dp/0764809296/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8

— Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan

MARY MAGDALENE: A VOICE OF COURAGE AND WISDOM A dramatic script based on the Gospel of Mary

Characters

• Mary Magdalene
• Peter
• Andrew
• Levi (Matthew)
• Thomas
• Other Disciples
• Narrator

Scene One: Fear and Uncertainty

(The disciples are gathered in a room. Their faces reveal grief, confusion, and fear. Mary Magdalene stands among them.)

Narrator:
The Teacher had died.
The tomb was empty.
The disciples struggled to understand what had happened.
Fear gripped their hearts.
Would they continue his mission?
Or would fear silence them?

Peter:
Brothers and sisters, what shall we do now?
The Teacher is gone.
The authorities seek us.
Our hearts are troubled.

Thomas:
How can we continue without him?
Where do we find strength?

(Mary steps forward calmly.)

Mary Magdalene:
Do not weep.
Do not lose heart.
His presence has not left us.

Peter:
Mary, what do you mean?

Mary Magdalene:
The Savior taught us that Divine Life dwells within us.
We are not abandoned.
We carry the Holy Presence in our hearts.

Disciples:
(whispering among themselves)
Can this be true?

Scene Two: Mary’s Vision

Peter:
Sister Mary,
you were especially close to the Teacher.
Tell us what he revealed to you.

Mary Magdalene:
I will tell you what I saw.

When I prayed, I beheld the Living Christ.

I said,
“Teacher, I have seen you in a vision.”

And he answered:

“Blessed are you who do not waver when you see me.
For where the mind is,
there is the treasure.”

He taught that we must seek the Divine within.

Not in fear.
Not in domination.
Not in outward appearances.

The reign of God is already among us.

Scene Three: The Teaching

Mary Magdalene:
The Savior taught:

Do not search for God in distant places.

The Holy One dwells within your deepest being.

When you know yourself,
you will discover your true nature.

You are children of Divine Love.

Nothing can separate you from this sacred union.

The soul becomes free when it releases fear,
anger,
greed,
and the illusion of separation.

The journey is inward.

The path is awakening.

The destination is peace.

(The disciples listen attentively.)

Scene Four: Doubt and Resistance

Andrew:
I am not certain these words came from the Savior.

They seem difficult to understand.

Peter:
Did the Teacher truly reveal these things to a woman and not openly to us?

Why would he choose her?

(The room becomes tense.)

Mary Magdalene:
Brother Peter,
I have spoken only what I received.

I have hidden nothing.

(She lowers her head in sadness.)

Scene Five: Levi Defends Mary

Levi:
Peter,
you have always been quick to anger.

If the Savior found Mary worthy,
who are we to reject her?

Surely he knew her well.

Surely he loved her as a faithful disciple.

The Savior chose her because she was ready to hear.

Let us not oppose what he has revealed.

Instead,
let us go forth and proclaim the Good News.

Scene Six: The Sending Forth

(Mary looks around the room with hope.)

Mary Magdalene:
The Teacher calls us beyond fear.

He calls us to become whole.

He calls us to reveal Divine Love through our lives.

The world is longing for compassion.

The world is longing for justice.

The world is longing for healing.

Let us become bearers of that healing.

Let us trust the Spirit within us.

Let us proclaim the Good News:

Love is stronger than fear.

Life is stronger than death.

The Divine Presence lives among us and within us.

Final Blessing

All Together:

We will not be ruled by fear.

We will walk in the light of Divine Wisdom.

We will honor the sacred dignity of every person.

We will carry forward the mission of Jesus.

Together we proclaim:

Love is alive.

Christ is alive.

And we are called to share that Good News with the world.

Prayer and Blessing for an Open Heart in a Time of Turmoil

Loving and Compassionate Presence,

In this time of uncertainty,  I come before You with an anxious heart.

Some days I feel overwhelmed by concerns I cannot quiet, questions I cannot answer, and burdens I cannot carry alone.

Anxiety tells me that healing may never come.

Yet deep within, beneath the noise and turmoil, Your gentle voice calls me back to trust.

Open my heart, Holy One.

When fear closes me in, open me to Your peace.

When anxiety tightens its grip, open me to Your healing grace.

Help me release what I cannot control and place it into Your loving hands.

Teach me to breathe deeply of Your presence and remember that I am held in a Love greater than my fears.

Remind me that healing sometimes takes time.

Often it unfolds gently, like dawn breaking after a long night.

Even when I cannot see the way forward, help me trust that You are already at work within me, and within the situation I am concerned about, mending what is wounded, strengthening what is weary, and renewing what feels broken.

Open my heart to recognize the blessings that surround me.

Open my heart to the quiet wisdom rising from within and within others.

And open my heart to the sacred truth that I am and all whom I hold in my heart are Your  beloved.

 Blessing for an Open Heart in a Time of Turmoil 

May Your healing presence flow through every anxiety, every conflict, every situation.

May Your peace settle within me like a calm river.

May Your love become the ground beneath my feet and the light that guides my efforts to go forward.

Today, I choose trust over fear.

Today, I choose hope over despair.

Today, I open my heart to healing.

And I rest in the assurance that I am held, loved, and accompanied every step of the way.

Amen.

Blessing for Healing and Peace 

May the Holy One bless us with hearts open to grace.

May we feel held in Divine Love when anxiety rises.

May healing unfold within us, gently and steadily, in its own sacred time.

May peace find a home in our spirits.

May hope return with every sunrise.

And may we always know that we are deeply loved, wholly blessed, and never alone.

Amen.
— Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan