WUKY: Priest Excommunicated For Kentucky Ordination Faces Dismissal From Order (2011-08-11)

Fr. Roy Bourgeois, Ruth Steinert Foote,
Bishop Dana Reynolds, Janice
Sevre-Duszynska at ordination
on Aug. 9,2008 in Lexington, KY
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wuky/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1839257/LocalRegional.News/Priest.Excommunicated.For.Kentucky.Ordination.Faces.Dismissal.From.Order
LEXINGTON, KY (wuky) - A nationally known priest who participated in a ceremony in Kentucky ordaining a woman is refusing to recant his views despite pressure from his order and the Vatican. Rev. Roy Bourgeois was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church in 2008 for taking part in the ordination of Janice Sevre-Duszynska. Since that time, he's continued his affiliation with Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers but remains staunch in his support for the ordination of women. Mike Virgintino, communications manager for the order, said, "Maryknoll has tried to foster dialogue regarding this issue and now it's come to a time when Maryknoll can do no more." But Bourgeois is still defiant, despite a second canonical warning from the order. Sevre-Duszynska, who continues her work for the church, sees inspiration in Bourgeois' unyielding stance. "Father Roy Bourgeois is a modern day prophet who has been following the primacy of his conscience," she said. A decision on Bourgeois' removal from the order is expected in the next few weeks. Then it would be up to the Vatican to decide whether he can remain a priest. Pink Smoke Over the Vatican, a documentary about the women's ordination movement in the Catholic Church featuring Janice Sevre-Duszynska ,will be screened at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington August 16th.