Will Women Priests Change the Church? by Mary Hunt/We Already Have/ by Bridget Mary Meehan

Judy Lee, RCWP presdes at
House Church Community Liturgy
in Ft. Myers, Florida

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/atheologies/4137/will_women_priests_change_the_church/
"Catholic women priests are an oxymoron for the Vatican. It considers them automatically excommunicated before the holy oil is dry on their hands. Other Catholics accept them as sacramental ministers and are delighted with the innovation. Still, others, myself included, want far deeper structural changes in the Catholic Church such that priesthood loses its baked-on charm and ministry becomes the expected task of adult members. This is an important theological conversation that the Vatican wishes would go away. Memo to them: it is just starting."
"Pink Smoke Over the Vatican is a new documentary that is making the rounds at film festivals (it will debut in New York on February 12 at the Athena Film Festival, hosted by Barnard College). The title refers to protests held at churches around the country during the Conclave in 2005 that elected Pope Benedict XVI where women created pink smoke — instead of the traditional white smoke that heralds the choice of a pope — to draw attention to the fact that the election was a men’s club affair. (Only Cardinals under the age of eighty may vote and no women are cardinals yet.)Catholic women priests are an oxymoron for the Vatican. It considers them automatically excommunicated before the holy oil is dry on their hands. Other Catholics accept them as sacramental ministers and are delighted with the innovation. Still, others, myself included, want far deeper structural changes in the Catholic Church such that priesthood loses its baked-on charm and ministry becomes the expected task of adult members. This is an important theological conversation that the Vatican wishes would go away. Memo to them: it is just starting. "
"Pink Smoke Over the Vatican is a new documentary that is making the rounds at film festivals (it will debut in New York on February 12 at the Athena Film Festival, hosted by Barnard College). The title refers to protests held at churches around the country during the Conclave in 2005 that elected Pope Benedict XVI where women created pink smoke — instead of the traditional white smoke that heralds the choice of a pope — to draw attention to the fact that the election was a men’s club affair. (Only Cardinals under the age of eighty may vote and no women are cardinals yet.) "

Bridget Mary's Response:

I agree with Dr. Hunt's analysis that structural change in the Roman Catholic Church is essential to the transformation and renewal of the church. I do not fear Roman Catholic Women Priests will be co-opted by the hierarchy!

Roman Catholic Women Priests have already changed the church in grassroots inclusive communities.We celebrate inclusive liturgies at which the gathered assembly recite the Eucharisitic Prayer. We minister within a community of equals that reaches out to the world in diverse ministries according to their gifts. We are devoted to serving on the edge with the marginalized and poor in our midst. We stand in solidarity with the peace and justice prophetic mission of the church and are part of the paradigm shift toward women's equality and justice for all that is taking place in our world.

In the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, we envision our charism as a journey of justice for all, for women in the church, that includes the ordination of women priests as an issue of justice. We also connect the mission of Roman Catholic Women Priests to ministry with the marginalized and oppressed in a community of equals.

The unique focus of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
is on justice and equality:
1. We seek equality for women in the church including ordination,
and justice for all.
2. We serve the poor and marginalized.
3. We live the spiritual and social justice tradition of the church
in inclusive communities of equals.

Bridget Mary Meehan RCWP

http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

sofiabmm@aol.com