"Rumble Near the Vatican"- by Bob Heineman from Call to Action/Eyewitness Account of Roman Police Action/Women Priests Rock Church

(Photo courtesy of Women's Ordination Conference
Leaders of Women's Ordination Movement walk with Fr. Roy toward Vatican)

"Rumble near the Vatican" by Bob Heineman
"The fact that the Italian police had such trouble with the Occupy Rome group that turned violent meant that the police were "on edge".
On Monday morning, Oct 17, the press joined us for a showing of Pink Smoke Over the Vatcan. Followed by a press conference including our own Nicole Sotelo. We then walked up the center of the wide boulevard, Via della Concilllazione to a security fence in front of the Vatican. Mike got some great shots.

There we were not permitted onto St Peter’s Square 1) because of our signs, 2) because of the women priests being dressed in alb and stole or 3) because we were a group (take your pick). Long negotiations ensued. Ultimately, what happened was that the police conceded that Roy could go into the plaza to deliver the petition. But they would NOT give permission for the women, especially the women priests. And Roy would not go without them.
At that point the three women and Roy decided to have their picture taken, with a sign that Roy had purchased. That sent the police over the edge. An undercover officer grabbed Roy's sign to show it to one of his captains. Because Roy had the sign made in English and Italian, the police. could read it easily (none of them spoke English). The plain clothesman grabbed Roy's sign and threw it in a waiting police car.
I had been standing aside with the WOC banner and CTA sign folded up for some time. (at least 15 minutes) I had no intention of unfurling it again. But after Roy's sign, they came after me and I ditched the sign just before they got to me. Unfortunately I had no good place to ditch it and theypicked it up rather easily. They took the signs and again threw them into a police car. I believe that was just before the put Erin (the WOC director) and the woman who had been acting as interpreter (Miriam) intoa squad car. They were driven off with siren blaring. Soon Roy was told a car was ready for him. Roy ,on the other hand, was driven to the station with no fanfare. The detainees were released about two hours later.
A magistrate will decide whether they have to come back for a hearing. The signs are held for evidence.We received a lot of good press we're told. (AP, Reuters, CNS & Irish Times). Meanwhile Pat McSweeney, Mike Toner and I have been busygetting a couple appointments for Fr Roy tomorrow morning --with the Vicar General of the Franciscan Order and then the head of the Holy Childhood Sisters, a great friend (once removed) of Pat McSweeney. We hope they can give some solidarity to Roy. Enough for now.-- Bob H
Call To Action – Near Vatican City--
Bob Heineman
CTA Resources Developer & Chapter Liaison
HeinemanCTA@cta-usa.org773 404-0004 x 263 (o) 847 682-1056
(c)Check out our informative website: http://www.cta-usa.org/

Bridget Mary's Reflection: "Women Priests Rock Church"
Thanks to Call to Action's Bob Heineman for this colorful account of the fracas in the Vatican yesterday. The Vatican refused to allow Maryknoll priest Roy Bourgeois to deliver a petition with 15.000 signatures supporting his stance for women priests because he was accompanied by women priests dressed in alb and stole!
Yes, indeed,women priests are rocking the church and shaking up the Vatican hierarchy as we share women's experiences and claim women's power as spiritual equals. I wonder if any cardinals or bishops (maybe even the pope) caught a glimpse of the dustup in St. Peter's Square. I believe that on a deep spiritual, mystical level women priests are beginning a healing process of centuries old deep misogyny in which spiritual power was invested exclusively in men. We are visible reminders that women are equal images of God, and therefore worthy to preside at the altar. In inclusive grassroots communities Roman Catholic Women Priests are moving the church toward partnership in a Christ-centered Spirit -empowered community of equals. For some, like the Vatican , women priests are a revolution. For millions of people, the time has come for a holy shakeup that will bring new life, creativity and justice to the church and beyond.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org