"In 3 Countries, Challenging the Vatican on Female Priests"/ by Laurie Goodstein/ New York Times/Tide is turning in favor of women priests

Fr. Roy Bourgeois holds cup at Janice Sevre Duszynska's ordination.

Now male priests, bishops and a cardinal are supporting his stance for gender justice in the church and some are advocating for women priests.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/world/23priest.html?_r=1

In 3 Countries, Challenging the Vatican on Female Priests /NY Times

LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: Friday, July 22, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.
"More than 150 Roman Catholic priests in the United States have signed a statement in support of a fellow cleric who faces dismissal for participating in a ceremony that purported to ordain a woman as a priest, in defiance of church teaching.
The American priests’ action follows closely on the heels of a “Call to Disobedience” issued in Austria last month by more than 300 priests and deacons. They stunned their bishops with a seven-point pledge that includes actively promoting priesthood for women and married men, and reciting a public prayer for “church reform” .....
See movie listing priests, bishops and a cardinal who support women priests
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X78CfOZ8W-0

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
We are at the beginning of a tipping point. Now rank and file priests are saying "Enough" of sexism in our church. There is a growing enthusiasm for women priests in the Catholic Church- now the male priests are jumping on the bandwagon of support for gender justice. So are some bishops and a cardinal!
Watch movie on youtube!

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004

157 Catholic Priests Rise Up To Support Fellow Embattled Priest

"In an unprecedented move, 157 Catholic priests have signed on to a letter in support of their fellow embattled priest, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, who has been told to recant his support for women's ordination or be removed from the priesthood. The letter that supports Roy's priesthood and his right to conscience was delivered, Friday, July 22nd, to Fr. Edward Dougherty, Superior General of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in Maryknoll, NY.

"We can no longer remain silent while priests and even bishops are removed from their posts simply because they choose to speak their truth," said Fr. Fred Daley, a spokesperson of the effort and a priest of the Syracuse Diocese. "Together, we are standing up for our brother priest, Roy, and for all clergy who have felt afraid to speak up on matters of conscience.

"We hope that our support as ordained priests in good standing will help give Fr. Dougherty the support he needs to make a decision that is fair and just."

This stance of priests from the United States follows a series of recent actions where priests collectively have taken a stand for justice in the Church. Last year, priests in Ireland formed a union aimed at organizing the 6,500 priests there in response to the clergy abuse crisis. In May of this year, the National Council of Priests of Australia released a statement in support of a bishop forced to resign because he mentioned women's ordination as one possible solution to the priest shortage. Then, this month, the Austrian-based Initiative of Parish Priests launched a campaign with 300 priests signing a call for resistance that encourages, among other things, the inclusion of women and married men to the priesthood..."
July 23, 2011
Nicole Sotelo, Call To Action : 773.404.0004 x285
Kate Conmy, Women's Ordination Conference, 202.675.1006