Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Calls for Open Dialogue with Pope Francis on Women Priests

 

 

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Calls for Open Dialogue with Pope Francis

Release date: July 30, 2013

Contact: Janice Sevre-Duszynska, D.Min. (Media) rhythmsofthedance@gmail.com, 859-684-4247

Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests calls on Pope Francis to open a dialogue on women priests and gender equality, following the example of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. It is time for the full equality of women in the Catholic Church and for Pope Francis to drop “definitive” and discriminatory practices.

The good news is that justice is rising up among the people in many grassroots communities. A CBS Gallup poll cites that 70% of U.S. Catholics support women priests. Male priests’ organizations in Austria, Ireland, Germany and elsewhere are also expressing public support.

Our movement is living Gospel equality now in inclusive, sacramental ministries where all are welcome at the abundant table of God's overflowing love and tender compassion. We dedicate ourselves to prophetic obedience to the Spirit in loving service to God's people wherever we are to promote justice and equality for all especially those on the margins of society.

Jesus provided an example of Gospel equality by calling both women and men, and treating them as equals. The Vatican's own scholars, the Pontifical Biblical Commission, in 1976 concluded that there is nothing in Scripture to prevent women's ordination. In early Christianity, both women and men presided at Eucharist in house churches. Catholic scholars, like Gary Macy and Dorothy Irvin, conclude that women were ordained in the early centuries of our church’s history.

It is our hope and prayer that Pope Francis embraces women as beloved sisters and partners in the Gospel as Saint Francis embraced his mentor, Saint Clare.

See: www.arcwp.org

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