"What I Learned in Rome" by Bob Heineman/Call to Action/ Thanks for prophetic witness and support for women priests

What I learned in Rome:
1) There's a great amount of archeological evidence available about the lead roles that women held in the early Church. As evidenced at the Church of St Aurea in Ostia and in the Catacombs of St Priscilla in Rome. (well worth seeing for yourself).Our thanks to Dr Dorothy Irwin, who participated in this week.
2) Many religious congregations which have their houses in Romeare quite knowledgeable and sympathetic to the causes we hold dear -- re-examination of the nature of priesthood; opening up service in the priesthood to all believers; re-balancing the relationship of the sexes within the Church. These are some powerful potential allies.
3) Fr Roy Bourgeois, MM is as genuine, gentle and clear-sighted aswe've believed he is. He has been articulate, creative, humorous andcompassionate to all in the delegation. The international delegation of16 which has accompanied him is no less thoughtful and engaged. We definitely felt change in the air on the issue of women's ordination. There is a groundswell of support, reflected in the 148 news outlets that determinedto cover our modest march.
4) "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican" is a terrific vehicle for showing what ordinationmeans for bright, articulate and thoroughly delightful cast of our friends featuredin the film. It will soon be available for wide distribution.
5) When it comes to BASIC RIGHTS, the Vatican is on another planet:
"Freedom of Speech" -- none
"Freedom of Assembly" -- not allowed
"Freedom of the Press" -- "You have no right to film me without my permission. You have no right to quote me without my permission," Msgr who came thru while the press was there.
"Freedom of Religion" -- you've got to be kidding
6) Pat McSweeney of Taunton Massachusetts and Mike Toner of Buffalo arethe best of traveling companions. We've had a great time.
Remember to follow Call To Action on facebook
Many blessings -- Bob H
Bob Heineman
CTA Resources Developer & Chapter Liaison
HeinemanCTA@cta-usa.org
773 404-0004 x 263 (o) 847 682-1056
c)Check out our informative website: www.cta-usa.org

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Thanks Bob for sharing your insights from this historic moment in our church's history. We in the international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement owe a debt of thanks to Nicole Sotelo and you and thousands of Call to Action members and to Erin Hanna, Kate Conmy of Women's Ordination Conference as well as so many organizations and individuals, like Maryknoll priest Fr. Roy Bourgeois, and millions of Catholics worldwide who support Roman Catholic Women Priests with their prayers and hopes for a more open, just and inclusive church. We are grateful to Miriam Duigan from womenpriests.org for being a wonderful translator, whose witness got her detained by police along with Erin Hanna and Roy. A special thank you to the gang of eighteen who have come to Rome to witness our support of Fr. Roy and our gratitude to this priest of the people and prophet for justice. With Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary of Magdala, Junia, Phoebe, Priscilla and the holy women and men of the Gospel who were faithful disciples of Jesus we rejoice in our God for this holy shakeup that is bringing a new dawn of justice and equality to our church!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests