Detroit Archbishop Warns Clergy Not To Attend Catholic Gathering/ Hierarchy Afraid of Women Priests?

Jun. 07, 2011

NCR Article
By Jerry Filteau
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/detroit-archbishop-warns-clergy-not-attend-catholic-gathering

"Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron warned his priests and deacons June 3 that they could be “dismissed from the clerical state” if they participate in a eucharistic liturgy June 12 closing an international American Catholic Council convention in Detroit."

..."He did not explain why he thought lay people or clergy not in full communion with the church would be engaged in concelebration of the ACC’s closing Mass. The ACC Web site gave no such indications, and leaders of the convention said there was no such intention."

"In an e-mail to NCR June 7, John Hushon, co-chairman of the ACC, said, “We stated categorically to Msgr. [Robert] McClory [Detroit archdiocesan moderator of the curia] that ‘There will be only one presider, an ordained priest in good standing.’ We could not have been any clearer...”

Bridget Mary's Reflection

The American Catholic Council is gathering on Pentecost weekend at Detroit’s Cobo Hall where the first Call to Action conference on social justice hosted by Detroit Cardinal John Dearden in 1976 was held. It has apparently raised the ire of Archbishop Vigneron who has issued a severe warning to clergy and people not to attend the closing liturgy. If the priests and deacons disobey, they could be removed from the clerical state! High stakes and a major threat, indeed!

Why? Perhaps, the Archbishop found out that some Roman Catholic Women Priests, married priests and members of our enthusiastic inclusive worshipping communities will be attending the conference.

I think Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron fears that a woman priest, and/or a married priest might somehow co-preside at the closing liturgy (gasp!!) even though the ACC organizers have assured them that there will be only one priest in good standing presiding. Maybe, Archbishop Vigneron's warning to Catholics to avoid the closing liturgy is meant to assure the Vatican that he is a loyal follower of the pope, and perhaps, hopes to gain favor in the next round of promotions. (At least he won't be fired like the Australian bishop who had written a pastoral letter that entertained the possibility of women priests in response to the priest shortage. )

The good news for the American Catholic Council is that wonderful groups like Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida will be in Detroit this weekend. They will be sharing our experiences of living Gospel partnership and equality. .. Carol Ann and Lee Breyer, Michael and Imogene Rigdon, Jack and Helen Duffy and others will display a beautiful banner with photos of our community as well as prayer cards that depict Mary, Mother of Jesus attired in priestly vestments. They will "hang out" with friends at CORPUS booth and gather at Dorothy Irvin's booth too.

Some women from the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests will be there too. ..Dena O'Callaghan, Diane Dougherty and Donna LeMaster Rougeux. They will be handing out brochures at Dorothy Irvin booth where books about our movement, Come by Here, by Judy Lee and Living Gospel Equality Now by Bridget Mary Meehan will be available.

The Holy Spirit is moving in the church now in a a people-empowered church of the baptized (which includes women priests, married priests, gay priests, celibate priests) taking responsibility for living the Gospel in our world. Our inclusive communities follow Jesus who rejected no one and invited all into God's embrace of boundless love. In open, compassionate, justice -seeking grassroots communities, Catholics are living Gospel equality now!

Come, Holy Spirit, renew your church with the gifts of women priests as we work for justice for all, justice for the poor and marginalized, justice for women and justice for women in the church in a renewed community of equals.

Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org

(703-505-0004, sofiabmm@aol.com)