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Saturday, March 10, 2012

"Do You Choose Women and Their Rights, or Bishops and Their Wrongs?" My Response to Ad in New York Times


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The Freedom From Religion Foundation placed an open letter via a full-page ad in today’s New York Times (page 10, front section) urging liberal and nominal Roman Catholics to “quit” their church over its war against contraception.

Beginning “It’s your moment of truth,” the ad asks: “Do you choose women and their rights, or Bishops and their wrongs? You are an enabler. And it’s got to stop.”

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
I disagree that leaving the church is the only choice.  If everyone left, then who would demand change, and who would provide hope for a renewed church in a community of equals? There are ways to address the issues that this ad names. For example, one could join alternative grassroots inclusive Catholic communities who celebrate Eucharist each week with women priests. That is where I am and there are more and more Catholics checking us out and liking what they see. 
At Mary Mother of Jesus Catholic Community liturgy this evening, I met several visitors who came up to share their enthusiasm for our inclusive language, our open table, our dialogue homily etc. The stole I am wearing is a surprise gift from Jim Marsh,  from New York, who designed and sewed it himself. It is two-sided, purple for Lent/Advent and green for Ordinary time. He took one of our ARCWP Inclusive Worship Aids to share with his priest friends. (www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org)
Likewise, many Catholic activist organizations such as Call to Action, Catholics for Choice, Women's Ordination Conference,  the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests are speaking truth to power and challenging the Vatican on human rights and religious freedom issues for women and for all. We "choose women and their rights, not Bishops and their wrongs!" 
Roman Catholic Women Priests are living the change of a more, open, inclusive, egalitarian church now. We are rocking the Roman Catholic Church and it is our moment of truth indeed!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com

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