Priest Whose Movement Targeted by Papal Criticism says Pope only Asking for Reflection/Roman Catholic Women Priests Stand in Solidarity with Courageous Male Priests in Austria and Around the World

http://www.newser.com/article/d9tupkpg3/priest-whose-movement-targeted-by-papal-criticism-says-pope-only-asking-for-reflection.html
By NICOLE WINFIELD | Associated Press
The Rev. Hellmut Schueller said Benedict was merely asking for reflection on whether their disobedience can help reform the church. In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Schueller noted that Benedict didn't forbid what the dissident priests were doing or advocating.
In his Holy Thursday homily, Benedict said the dissidents of the Pfarrer Initiative claim to be motivated by concern for the church. But he suggested that in reality they were just making "a desperate push to do something to change the church in accordance with (their) own preferences and ideas."The Pfarrer Initiative is at http://www.pfarrer-initiative.at
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Now that hundreds of male priests are publically advocating for married priests and women priests, Pope Benedict has reluctantly responded. It is a clear sign of the Spirit's power at work in a renewed model of priestly ministry. We stand in solidarity with our brother priests who have the courage to follow their consciences and name the injustice of gender inequality. Jesus  who called both women and  men, married and unmarried as disciples, stood with the margnalized for justice. He was put to death for challenging the religious and civil leaders for their oppression of God's people. According to all four Gospels it was the women who accompanied Jesus to Calvary and were the first to witness his resurrection. Today women priests, like the Easter women, are taking our rightful place as leaders in our church in grassroots communities of enthusiastic Catholics.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
www.arcwp.org
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004