Pope Benedict's Visit to England: Catholic Reformers Speak Up for Justice and Equality: Womenpriests Claim Equal Rights, Use Equal Rites

Dublin Abuse Survivor and Activist Marie Collins (left),
Bridget Mary Meehan(right),
Andrew Madden, in suit behind women,
author of Altar Boy: A Story of Life After Abuse

Bridget Mary Meehan (left) addressed
Humbert Summer School in Castlebar, Ireland
on Aug. 20,2010
topic: justice and equality for
sex abuse survivors and for women in the church
(Both photos courtesy Bill Heaney, Glasgow)

When Pope Benedict lands in England, he will encounter fallout from his failure to fire bishops who shuffled predator priests who raped and sexually abused youth. The pope should retract the Vatican's recent decision to link pedophiles with women priests, a move that has been condemned worldwide. The Vatican's hostile edict which prescribed automatic excommunication for anyone associating with the ordination of a woman reminds us of the church's long history of misogyny with its insinuation that the ordination of a woman somehow defiles the sacrament. Is it a crime to ordain a woman or is the real crime to continue to discriminate against women in the church? Roman Catholic Womenpriests claim equal rights by using equal rites to bring justice and equality to the church.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests are leading the Catholic Church into a new era of justice where women, ordained validly in apostolic succession, are offering the church a renewed priestly ministry in a more open, inclusive community of equals where all are welcome to receive sacraments and all are called to receive Eucharist at the Banquet of Christ's boundless love.

Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
703-505-0004
sofiabmm@aol.com