Dr. Patricia Fresen: Prominent Roman Catholic Woman Bishop Will Speak in Sarasota on April 9th, 2011, "Transformed by Compassion"

As part of U.S. tour-- Roman Catholic Woman Bishop and Theologian to speak on "Transformed by Compassion" Sarasota, Florida –

Roman Catholic Bishop Patricia Fresen, one of three bishops ordained by a male Roman Catholic bishop with apostolic succession, will deliver a lecture at St.Andrew United Church of Christ on Sat. at 4:00 PM.

Bishop Fresen, who was involved in helping to end apartheid in South Africa, will show that compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Releasing the energy of compassion into our world is possibly the most important calling each of us has, whoever we are and whatever our life situation may be. The principle of compassion is at the heart of all religious traditions and is a spiritual resource for healing polarization. A Dominican sister for 45 years, Fresen was ordained as a Catholic bishop in 2005. After teaching in convent high schools, Fresen moved to Rome, studying theology at the University of St. Thomas and at the Gregorian, where she earned a Licentiate in Theology. She has served on the faculty of the National Seminary in Pretoria and the Catholic University in Johannesburg, and earned a doctorate in theology at the University of South Africa. When Dr. Fresen was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 2003, she was forced to leave the Dominicans and leave her position at Catholic University. She also moved to Germany, where she lives today and serves as theologian and advisor for Roman Catholic Women Priests Worldwide. Fresen’s visit is sponsored by Mary Mother of Jesus Catholic Community in Sarasota.

Location: St. Andrew United Church of Christ, 6908 Beneva Rd. Sarasota, Florida 34238,
April 9th, 4 PM -5:30 PM.

Her talk will be followed by a liturgy of Mary Mother of Jesus Catholic Community at 6:00 PM
For more information, email: Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP at sofiabmm@aol.com, 941-955-2313