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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Roman Catholic Womenpriests : Cincinnati archbisop stops nun from teaching because she supports women priests

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/09/02/cincy_nun.html?sid=101

Cincinnati archbishop stops nun from teaching because she supports female ordination
"Sister Louise Akers has taught in the archdiocese for 40 years. She says she refused to renounce her support of women priests as a matter of conscience."

Archbishop Pilarczyk's removal of Sr. Louise Akers from teaching in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is yet another example of the use of deplorable, bullying tactics by church officials. This modern day inquisition is a desperate attempt to silence women from speaking out for justice for women in the Roman Catholic Church. Sister Louise Akers is a faithful woman of faith and a courageous witness to Gospel equality. It is my hope that her prophetic actions will ignite the energies of women religious worldwide to work for justice for women in the church and that religious orders will find a way to support nuns who are called to priestly ministry. The full equality of women in the church is the call of God in our time.
The good news is that women are being ordained in the Roman Catholic Church. The mission of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests' initiative, a movement for the full equality of women in a renewed priestly ministry is to spiritually prepare, ordain and support women and men from all states of life, who are theologically qualified, who are committed to an inclusive model of Church and who are called by the Holy Spirit and their communities to minister to the People of God. It is my hope that many women religious with the support of their communities, and in the spirit of their gutsy foundresses, will come forward for ordination as womenpriests. Sister Louise, you are an inspiration to all of us.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004

Roman Catholic Womenpriests: Excommunicated priest supports women’s ordination, Maryknoll Order Supports Fr. Roy


http://www.thefloridacatholic.org/cns/2009_articles/20090901_cns_priest_excom.php

Fr. Roy Bourgeois participated in the ordination liturgy of Roman Catholic Womanpriest, Janice Sevre-Duszynska on Aug. 9, 2008. In response, the Vatican excommunicated Father Roy on Nov. 24, 2008 "latae sententiae" automatically for refusing to recant his public support of women's ordination. Adhering to his conscience, Fr. Roy now calls on his brother priests to break the silence and asks Catholics in his coast to coast lectures to support the full equality of women in the church including ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Roy challenges church officials to turn away from the sin of sexism.

Excommunicated priest supports women’s ordination

"In June, Maryknoll Father Edward M. Dougherty, the order’s superior general, said in a statement that Father Bourgeois remains a member of the society despite the excommunication. To no longer be considered a priest, Father Bourgeois would have to be laicized."

“The Maryknoll Society continues its pastoral support of our brother Roy and hopes that the day of reconciliation is not far away,” Father Dougherty said. “The church in its leadership and members has been promised by Christ that the Holy Spirit informs the decisions that carry our church into the future. May that same Holy Spirit enlighten Roy and those interested in his case as well as those charged with authority in our church.”

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Roman Catholic Womenpriests : Sr. Louise Akers is a courageous witness to Gospel Equality

"The Vatican's investigation of women religious in the United States and Archbishop Pilarczyk's removal of Sr. Louise Akers from teaching in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will backfire against the hierarchy. These deplorable, bullying tactics, a modern day Inquisition, by church officials will fail to stop women religious from speaking out for justice for women in the Roman Catholic Church, and will promote the Roman Catholic Womenpriests' initiative, a movement for the full equality for women in a renewed priestly ministry in an inclusive Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church cannot continue to discriminate against women and blame God for it.
Sr. Louise Akers' courageous witness to gospel equality is an inspiration to all.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004

Sister of Charity Louise Akers has been informed by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk that she must "publicly disassociate herself from the issue of women’s ordination if she wishes to continue making any presentations or teaching for credit in any archdiocesan-related institutions."
“For four decades I have devoted my ministry to advocating on behalf of the marginalized through religious congregations, justice organizations, ecumenical and interfaith groups” Akers told NCR. “Women’s ordination is a justice issue. Its basis is the value, dignity and equality of women. I believe this to my very core. To publicly state otherwise would be a lie and a violation of my conscience. I love, support and cherish the part of Church that upholds the gospel mission and vision of Jesus.”
http://ncronline.org/news/cincinnati-nun-given-ultimatum-over-ordination-views

Monday, August 31, 2009

Roman Catholic Womenpriests : Cincinnati Nun May Be Forced Out For Ordination Views

http://ncronline.org/news/cincinnati-nun-may-be-forced-out-ordination-views
Cincinnati nun may be forced out for ordination views
“We are losing the voice of justice,” said one member of her religious community.
Aug. 31, 2009
By Judy Ball
Sister of Charity Louise Akers has been informed by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk that she must "publicly disassociate herself from the issue of women’s ordination if she wishes to continue making any presentations or teaching for credit in any archdiocesan-related institutions."
“For four decades I have devoted my ministry to advocating on behalf of the marginalized through religious congregations, justice organizations, ecumenical and interfaith groups” Akers told NCR. “Women’s ordination is a justice issue. Its basis is the value, dignity and equality of women. I believe this to my very core. To publicly state otherwise would be a lie and a violation of my conscience. I love, support and cherish the part of Church that upholds the gospel mission and vision of Jesus.”

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Roman Catholic Womenpriests : "A Day of Sorrow for Area Catholics"

A day of sorrow for area Catholics
The Republican - MassLive.com - Springfield,MA,USA
Still others will cite the need for women priests. ... It's also important to remember that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield is not alone in this ...

http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/08/a_day_of_sorrow_for_area_catho.html