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Friday, April 24, 2009

Four Catholic Women Bishops Ordained In California Article by Theologian: Marjorie Reiley Maguire











FOUR CATHOLIC WOMEN BISHOPS ORDAINED IN CALIFORNIA

by Marjorie Reiley Maguire

On Divine Mercy Sunday, God granted the constant prayer of the Church for vocations, in a way that will bring a great harvest of priests to the Church in America.

For the first time in the United States, four women were ordained as Roman Catholic bishops. The ordination took place on April 19, 2009 in a Catholic chapel in California, before about 100 people.

The four new women bishops are part of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement (RCWP). They were called to be ordained bishop by the women priests in their respective regions.

The ordinands are Bishops Joan Mary Clark Houk of Pittsburgh for the Great Waters (central) Region, Andrea Michele Johnson of Annapolis for the eastern region, Bridget Mary Meehan of Virginia and Sarasota for the southern region, and Maria Regina Nicolosi of Red Wing, Minnesota for the upper midwest region. A fifth woman, Dana Reynolds of California, was previously ordained a Catholic bishop for the western region, in 2008 in Europe.

Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan is a member of the Sisters for Christian Community. The other new women bishops have been married for more than forty years and have adult children. Bishop Regina Nicolosi's husband, Charles, is a retired, permanent deacon for the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. All four women have degrees in Catholic theology and extensive pastoral experience.

There were three ordaining bishops, which is a requirement for the ordination of a bishop. Bishop Patricia Fresen, now living in Germany, was a Dominican sister for forty years in South Africa and taught in the Catholic seminary in Pretoria. Bishop Ida Raming is a German theologian. Bishop Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger from Austria was one of the founders of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement. She and Bishop Ida Raming were two of the first seven women priests, ordained on a boat on the Danube in 2002. Two other women who were ordained priests with the Danube 7 were also in attendance at the California ordination of bishops, Iris Müller from Germany and Dagmar Celeste, the former first lady of Ohio.

The ordaining bishops, along with several other European women, received their own ordinations as bishops, in full apostolic succession, from three unnamed male, Roman Catholic bishops who are in full communion with Rome. The male bishops believed that the time has come for women's ordination. They ordained several women bishops in recent years so that the movement could continue with full Catholic sacramental ordinations but without the clandestine participation of the male bishops.

A history of the RCWP movement and personal stories by the ordained women can be found in the book Women Find a Way, edited by Elsie Hainz McGrath, Bridget Mary Meehan, and Ida Raming.

The Vatican has not recognized the ordinations of the priests and bishops in the RCWP movement. In the language of Catholic theology, these ordinations are valid but illicit.

However, the women priests and bishops consider themselves in full communion with Rome. They follow the ordination rite of the Catholic Church and believe they pass on the apostolic succession that has been given to them, in the same manner as it is passed on to male priests and bishops in the Church. In Catholic theology, apostolic succession is passed on by the intentional ordaining laying on of hands by an ordained bishop.

The first ordinations in North America for RCWP were in 2005, when four women were ordained priests on a boat on the St. Lawrence River. There are presently more than 70 ordained priests, deacons, and candidates in the RCWP movement in North America. A spokesperson for RCWP claimed that the new bishops were needed because numerous women who are already qualified for ordination are applying as candidates.

After the California ordination of the women bishops, one Catholic woman in attendance remarked, "It is sacrilegious for the Church to continue to pray for vocations if it refuses to recognize the vocations the Holy Spirit is giving to women like those who were ordained today, while recognizing the ordinations of male child abusers and Holocaust deniers."
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* Marjorie Reiley Maguire, who lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a Catholic theologian, with a Ph.D. from Catholic University, and an attorney, with a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin.

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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Womenpriests movement ordains bishops


More news stories about Roman Catholic Womenpriests' ordination of women bishops in the United States.

National Catholic Reporter story link:
"Womenpriests movement ordains bishops"

Apr. 23, 2009

By Dennis Coday

http://ncronline.org/news/women/womenpriests-movement-ordains-bishops

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

News Stories on Roman Catholic Womenpriests Ordain Four Bishops in the United States



Clandestine ‘ordinations’
Caliornia Catholic
Roman Catholic Womenpriests ‘ordain’ four bishops at undisclosed location
“One of the major reasons for not revealing the place is that we wanted a prayerful, quiet, non-media event,” said Womenpriests national spokeswoman Bridget Mary Meehan in an email to California Catholic Daily. “Our focus is not on the bishops ordinations but on servant leadership to the Catholic community.” Meehan was one of the four women “ordained” as a “bishop” on April 19.
http://calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=7d66cde0-9806-46e9-be57-2e33dee8cda6
CNN: IReport
Four Roman Catholic Women Ordained RC Bishops by Roman Catholic Womenpriests
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-247472

Pushing history forward « Theology in the Vineyard
By tschmidt
Four women were ordained in the movement called Roman Catholic Womenpriests on April 19 They are Joan Houk of Pittsburgh, Andrea Johnson of Annapolis, Bridget Mary Meehan of Virginia and Sarasota, and Regina Nicolosi of Red Wing, ...Theology in the Vineyard -
http://theologyinthevineyard.wordpress.com/

Her promotion won't make the Diocese very happy
Sarasota Herald Tribune
by Tom Lyons
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090412/COLUMNIST/904121038&tc=email_newsletter

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: More photos of Ordination of Four Women Bishops on April 19, 2009 in California




Presentation of Book of Gospels




Laying on Hands by Community










Rose Marie Hudson, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest
from St. Louis, Missouri, presents
Joan Houk for ordination as
bishop of Great Waters Region


Janice Sevre-Duszynska , a Roman Catholic Womanpriest
from Lexington, Kentucky, presents
Bridget Mary Meehan for ordination
of Bishop of Southern region

Alice Iaquinta, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest
from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, presents
Regina Nicolosi for ordination
as Bishop of Midwestern Region
Gloria Carpeneto, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest
from Baltimore ,presents
Andrea Johnson as Bishop
of Eastern Region

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: YouTube Movies of Ordination of Womenbishops in the United States



Youtubemovies of ordination ceremony of first womenbishops ordained in the United States by Roman Catholic Womenpriests
Entrance Procession:
Clips of Bishop Patricia Fresen's homily at Ordinations of Women Bishops-
three parts:
Examination of Bishops-Elect before the Community
Prostration of Bishops/Litany of the Saints
Laying of Hands
Anointing of the Bishop's Head
Presentation of Book of Gospels
Investiture with Bishop's Staff
Bishop Patricia Fresen presents first women bishops to be ordained in the United States to the Community

April 21, 2009
Media Contacts:
National Media Contact, Bridget Mary Meehan; 703-505-0004,
sofiabmm@aol.com
USA-Western Administrator, Suzanne Thiel; 503-784-3330, suzthiel@yahoo.com
USA-Midwest Co-Administrators, Kathy Redig; 507-429-3616, krredig@hbci.com , Alice Iaquinta; 414-791-9952, aliceiaquinta@hotmail.com
USA-Great Waters Administrator, Rose Marie Hudson; 636-208-5598 , reehud@sbcglobal.net
USA-Eastern Administrator, Eileen McCafferty DiFranco; 267-258-6966 , emdifranco@aol.com
USA-Central Administrator, Roberta Meehan; 623-388-6627, biology@ctos.com
USA-Southern Administrator, Janice Sevre-Duszynska; 859-684-4247, rhythmsofthedance@msn.com

Roman Catholic Womenpriests USA is pleased to announce the ordinations of Joan Mary Clark Houk, Andrea Michele Johnson, Maria Regina Nicolosi and Bridget Mary Meehan as Roman Catholic bishops. These ordinations took place on April 19, 2009 in California. Officiating at the ceremony were Bishops: Patricia Fresen and Ida Raming from Germany and Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger from Austria.
Joan Mary Clark Houk has been called by the members of the Great Waters Region to minister pastorally to the womenpriests, womendeacons and People of God of her region. To be always mindful of that call, she has "Faithful Servant" inscribed on her bishop's ring. Joan's many years of parish ministry, and her experience as a wife and mother has prepared her well for her pastoral role. Married for forty-eight years, Joan and John have six children, eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Andrea Michele Johnson resides in Annapolis, MD, and has been elected to serve as bishop for the Eastern Region. She has worked in international education exchange with the senior Fulbright Scholar Program, and also as a director of religious education over many years. She was pastoral minister in a priestless Catholic parish in the mid-1980’s and also served as a former director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, Andrea currently works in hospital chaplaincy. She is happily married to Spencer, her husband of thirty-nine years and is the mother of three adult children – two sons and one daughter, and is the grandmother of two.
Maria Regina Nicolosi was elected by the members of the Midwest Region to be their bishop. Regina was born in the Rhineland, Germany, close to the Abbey of St. Hildegard and before she moved to the USA, she was a teacher. After raising her family, Regina worked as a senior housing manager and a nursing home chaplain. Currently, she celebrates Eucharist with small faith communities and has served as the program coordinator for the Midwest region. In this role she has helped prepare several women for priestly ordination. Regina is married and has four children and eight grandchildren. She and her husband Charles live in Red Wing, MN. For more information, contact
crnicolosi@yahoo.com
Bridget Mary Meehan, a Sister for Christian Community, was elected to serve as bishop for the Southern Region. She presides at inclusive liturgies and sacramental services for vibrant faith communities in Sarasota, Florida and Falls Church, Virginia. For fifteen years, Bridget Mary served as a pastoral associate at Ft. Myer Chapel in N.VA. She is the author of eighteen books including Praying with Women of the Bible, Praying with Visionary Women, and co-author of Praying with Celtic Holy Women. She is host/producer of TV/Internet media designed to promote justice, equality and mutual respect, and dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program for Global Ministries University. For more information, contact sofiabmm@aol.com
www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

Monday, April 20, 2009

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Ordain Four Bishops in the United States-A Historic Move Towards Women's Equality in the Catholic Church


Back row, left to right Roman Catholic Women bishops: Ida Raming, Patricia Fresen, Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger, Antiochan Rite Bishop Jeannette Love,
Front Row: New Roman Catholic Womenbishops:
Regina Nicolosi, Andrea Johnson, Joan Houk, Bridget Mary Meehan


Dr. Iris Mueller, a pioneer in the Women's Ordination and prominent German theologian lays hands on womenbishops in historic ordinations in USA
Roman Catholic Womanpriest Alice Iaquinta presents Regina Nicolosi
for ordination as bishop of Midwestern region/USA



Bishop Patricia Fresen lays hands on Bridget Mary Meehan/Southern Region in historic ordination of womenbishops in the Catholic Church in the USA



Presentation of Andrea Johnson by Gloria Carpeneto for Bishop of Eastern Region/USA

Bishop Ida Raming laying on of Hands on Joan Houk in historic ordination of womenbishops in the Roman Catholic Church in the USA.



Co-celebrated Mass of first USA ordained womenbishops in the Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement in the USA on April 19, 2009 in California

(From left to right)Bishops Joan Houk, Ida Raming, Regina Nicolosi,
Patricia Fresen Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger,
lower step, Bridget Mary Meehan, Andrea Johnson


First USA Ordination of Womenbishops in the Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement Second Row:Roman Catholic Womenbishops: Ida Raming (Germany), Patricia Fresen (Germany), Christine Mayr- Lumetzberger (Austria
Bishop Jeanette Love (Old Antiochian Rite)

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Ordain Four U.S. Bishops in historic ceremony

April 21, 2009
Media Contacts:
National Media Contact, Bridget Mary Meehan; 703-505-0004,
sofiabmm@aol.com
USA-Western Administrator, Suzanne Thiel; 503-784-3330, suzthiel@yahoo.com
USA-Midwest Co-Administrators, Kathy Redig; 507-429-3616, krredig@hbci.com , Alice Iaquinta; 414-791-9952, aliceiaquinta@hotmail.com
USA-Great Waters Administrator, Rose Marie Hudson; 636-208-5598 , reehud@sbcglobal.net
USA-Eastern Administrator, Eileen McCafferty DiFranco; 267-258-6966 , emdifranco@aol.com
USA-Central Administrator, Roberta Meehan; 623-388-6627, biology@ctos.com
USA-Southern Administrator, Janice Sevre-Duszynska; 859-684-4247, rhythmsofthedance@msn.com

Roman Catholic Womenpriests USA is pleased to announce the ordinations of Joan Mary Clark Houk, Andrea Michele Johnson, Maria Regina Nicolosi and Bridget Mary Meehan as Roman Catholic bishops. These ordinations took place on April 19, 2009 in California. Officiating at the ceremony were Bishops: Patricia Fresen and Ida Raming from Germany and Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger from Austria.
Joan Mary Clark Houk has been called by the members of the Great Waters Region to minister pastorally to the womenpriests, womendeacons and People of God of her region. To be always mindful of that call, she has "Faithful Servant" inscribed on her bishop's ring. Joan's many years of parish ministry, and her experience as a wife and mother has prepared her well for her pastoral role. Married for forty-eight years, Joan and John have six children, eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Andrea Michele Johnson resides in Annapolis, MD, and has been elected to serve as bishop for the Eastern Region. She has worked in international education exchange with the senior Fulbright Scholar Program, and also as a director of religious education over many years. She was pastoral minister in a priestless Catholic parish in the mid-1980’s and also served as a former director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, Andrea currently works in hospital chaplaincy. She is happily married to Spencer, her husband of thirty-nine years and is the mother of three adult children – two sons and one daughter, and is the grandmother of two.
Maria Regina Nicolosi was elected by the members of the Midwest Region to be their bishop. Regina was born in the Rhineland, Germany, close to the Abbey of St. Hildegard and before she moved to the USA, she was a teacher. After raising her family, Regina worked as a senior housing manager and a nursing home chaplain. Currently, she celebrates Eucharist with small faith communities and has served as the program coordinator for the Midwest region. In this role she has helped prepare several women for priestly ordination. Regina is married and has four children and eight grandchildren. She and her husband Charles live in Red Wing, MN. For more information, contact
crnicolosi@yahoo.com
Bridget Mary Meehan, a Sister for Christian Community, was elected to serve as bishop for the Southern Region. She presides at inclusive liturgies and sacramental services for vibrant faith communities in Sarasota, Florida and Falls Church, Virginia. For fifteen years, Bridget Mary served as a pastoral associate at Ft. Myer Chapel in N.VA. She is the author of eighteen books including Praying with Women of the Bible, Praying with Visionary Women, and co-author of Praying with Celtic Holy Women. She is host/producer of TV/Internet media designed to promote justice, equality and mutual respect, and dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program for Global Ministries University. For more information, contact sofiabmm@aol.com
www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org


Movies on YouTube: (Coming soon): Links of Ordination Historic Ceremony of Ordinations of Womenbishops in the United States
Youtubemovies of ordination ceremony of first womenbishops ordained in the United States by Roman Catholic Womenpriests
Entrance Procession:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-tsOVVddBo
Clips of Bishop Patricia Fresen's homily at Ordinations of Women Bishops-
three parts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJQFDNMnAO8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7I5T_ZC6es
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpZ1RAc7PqA
Examination of Bishops-Elect before the Community
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-mSG_PZ8cA
Prostration of Bishops/Litany of the Saints
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCk3yWVs4FQ
Laying of Hands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woC43RqYmdA
Anointing of the Bishop's Head
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA4UJp5Nd-U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyjolnnVc2c
Presentation of Book of Gospels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1kGVF_q2Yc
Investiture with Bishop's Staff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwr0fens4-Y
Bishop Patricia Fresen presents first women bishops to be ordained in the United States to the Community
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6m2iexOXvU