The Roman Catholic Women Priests (RCWP) initiative is a renewal movement within the Roman Catholic Church. Our goal is to achieve full equality for all within the Church as a matter of justice and faithfulness to the Gospel. The Women Priests movement advocates for a new model of inclusive priestly ministry in the church. We stand in the prophetic tradition of holy obedience to the Spirit who calls all people to discipleship. The movement began with the ordination of seven women on the Danube River in 2002. Today there are over 124 women priests and 10 bishops worldwide. Our women priests are ordained in Apostolic Succession. The first women bishops were ordained by a male Roman Catholic bishop in apostolic succession and in communion with the pope.
The Vatican states that we are excommunicated, however, we do not accept this and affirm that we are loyal members of the church. We continue to serve our beloved church in a renewed priestly ministry by welcoming all to celebrate the sacraments in inclusive, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered communities wherever we are called. There are women priest communities in Germany, Austria, France, Scotland, Canada, the United States, and South America. From our birth on the Danube River, RCWP has evolved into two streams in Europe (West and East), two in Canada (West and East), and two in the United States (RCWP USA and ARCWP. Someday streams will flow in Latin America and elsewhere.
The specific charism of ARCWP within the broader global Roman Catholic Women Priests initiative is to live Gospel equality and justice for all including women in the church and in society now. We work in solidarity with the poor, exploited, and marginalized for structural and transformative justice in partnership with all believers. Our vision is to act as a community of equals in decision-making both as an organization and within our faith communities. We advocate for the renewal of Jesus’ vision as found in the Gospel for our church and our world.
The unique focus of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is on justice and equality:
1. We seek equality for women in the church including decision-making and ordination.
2. We minister with the poor and marginalized.
3. We live the spiritual and social justice tradition of the church serving inclusive communities of equals.
4. We actively and openly participate in non-violent movements for peace and justice.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan http://www.blogger.com/goog_2030030847
Judy Lee, Circle Leader judyabl@embarqmail.com 239-454-7426
Janice Sevre-Duszyska, Media Contact rhythmsofthedance@msn.com cell: 859-684-4247
"The first women bishops were ordained by a male Roman Catholic bishop in apostolic succession and in communion with the pope. "
ReplyDeleteAn invalid ordination does not equate to ordination.
Invalid ordination is in the eyes of the beholder, given the fact that there have been women ordained in the first centuries of the Church. There is sufficient documentary evidence to indicate that this was the case.
ReplyDelete