Jennifer Sleeman: A Prophetic Voice for Women's Equality in the Church

Jennifer Sleeman called for boycott of Mass on Sept. 26th.

"Empty pews might make the power that be think again"

Opinion Piece: Jennifer Sleeman Speaks Out:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0921/1224279367336.html

"...I had often questioned the fact that only men could be ordained. There was also the rule of celibacy. I discovered that many women and men were also concerned and working towards having their voices heard.

It seemed there were organizations and people protesting all over the place, and the idea came to me of a boycott of Mass for one Sunday (September 26th) to draw all these voices together. Let empty pews give the powers-that-be in the church the message that women are no longer happy to be second-class citizens.

The support for the equality of women in the church has been massive: lovely letters and cards, and phone calls have come from Ireland, Australia, the US and Canada, from men and women.

...One compelling reason for the ordination of women is the shortage of priests. The average age of priests in Ireland is 65, and as far as I know very few young men are entering the seminaries.

Already there must be tired, lonely and aging men celebrating Masses, attending to weddings, funerals and Baptisms, with no time or energy for visiting their parishioners – or indeed for themselves. There are wonderful priests out there ministering with courage and compassion, some of whom have given me their support. They are heroic, but how long can they last?

There are nuns doing demanding and sometimes difficult work, brilliantly. Why is the church so afraid of women, and especially their ordination? They constitute half the population of the world and at least 60 per cent of Mass-goers. They minister very well in other churches, for example in the Church of Ireland.

I see celibacy as another way of keeping women out. Is the fear that the church might become gentler, more in touch with the reality of family life in the 21st century, a safer haven for the scared? I think the church has changed since children grew up in fear – and I hope it has the courage to change again.

My hope is that empty pews on September 26th will move the hearts and minds of those in charge, that change will happen, and that the church will emerge invigorated by the equality of all."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

Thank you Jennifer Sleeman for igniting a fire in the hearts of Catholics around the world for justice and equality for women in the Catholic Church. Roman Catholic Womenpriests are a growing movement, offering the church a renewed priestly ministry in a community of equals. I join you in prayer for our leaders that they may embrace equality for all. Let's break the stained glass ceiling! Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, sofiabmm@aol.com