Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Irish Catholics, lead the way, challenge Vatican Abuse of Power, Claim Justice and Equality to Save the Catholic Church

Bridget Mary Meehan at St. Brigit's Well Licannor,
County Clare, May 27,2009)

"Challenge Vatican Abuse of Power, Lead the Way toward Justice and Equality to save the Catholic church "
by Bridget Mary Meehan
Irish missionaries saved Europe in the Dark Ages, now Irish Catholics can save the church from its own demise.
I was born in County Laois and have written about women in the Celtic Christian Tradition. (Praying with Celtic Holy Women)
As a passionate reformer who has worked for church renewal for many years, and now as an ordained woman priest in the Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement, I am following the story of the fallout of the clerical sex abuse scandal in Ireland with great hope that the Irish people,will demand justice, equality and accountability from the hierarchy, and send a powerful message to Pope Benedict that a new day has dawned for the church in Ireland. The Vatican abuse of power and world-wide cover up is the crux of the sex abuse debacle. It is my hope that you, the people of God, will demand more than apologies and go for important structural change including women priests and married priests as well as a role in the selection of bishops who will be called forth from the community to serve the community, not named in a secretive process that rewards candidates for "loyalty" to the hierarchy at all costs, over pastoral care for the people. Sadly, the corruption of our church goes to the top of the pyramid/the Vatican. It is a story of power and control run amuck! It is a worldwide crisis that has affected millions of Catholic worldwide. (see article below*** on corrupation/ abuse of power by Vatican)
My young -adult Irish cousins tell me that they are "disillusioned" by the Catholic Church in Ireland. No wonder, they have been betrayed and abused by bishops who were supposed to be truth-tellers and justice-doers. No wonder there are so few young adults in the pews in Ireland today.
Irish Catholics , it is my hope that the the home of saints and scholars, including nuns and priests who serve with integrity, will be the tipping point now and bring in a new day for church renewal.
When the iron is hot, it is time to act!
In grassroots communities, you can shape an open, renewed, vibrant church where all are welcome, all are safe, and all are invited to receive sacraments.
In the United States, the Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement have more than tripled in growth in less than 3 years. (close to 70 in the U.S., 100 worldwide) . There are approximately 35 womenpriest led communities in the U.S. In Florida, I work with a leadership team that includes two priest partners, bothof whom are married.
Women of Ireland, stand up for equality and join the movement to renew a priestly ministry in a community of equals. It is time to ignite the fire of the Holy Spirit blowing across Ireland for reform and transformation of the Catholic Church.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Bishop of Southern Region
http://www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org/
sofiabmm@aol.com
***Pope outraged and shamed by Irish clergy's abuse.
. . . a report by the Irish government of sex abuse from 1975-2004 . . .
Benedict was "deeply disturbed and distressed" by the report . . .
The report said church placed greater importance on protecting its reputation and maintaining secrecy than it on children's welfare and justice . . .
The report also criticized the Vatican for not cooperating with the inquiry. The commission had asked for details of abuse sent to the Vatican, But the Vatican did not reply
later explaining that the request had not gone through proper diplomatic channels.
excerpted from December 25 NCR

Why Only Laity can rid us of turbulent priests
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/why-only-the-laity-can-rid-us-of-the-turbulent-priests-14614989.html

Ireland confronts its sex abuse crisis
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/ireland-confronts-its-sex-abuse-crisis