Ann Poelking Klonowski Ordained As A Priest

"Roman Catholic Womenpriests ordains local woman"

Roman Catholic Womenpriests ordains local woman

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- About 200 people filled the pews at Brecksville United Church of Christ on Saturday when Ann Poelking Klonowski was ordained a priest, in an ordination not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church.

The ordination came through sponsorship of the Great Waters Region of Roman Catholic Womenpriests, which has been holding its own ordinations since 2002.

Bishop Joan Houk of Pittsburgh, presiding over the two-hour ceremony, concelebrated Mass with other ordained women priests and deacons.

Klonowski's husband, grown children and grandchildren joined the congregation applauding her introduction.

She and Roman Catholic Womenpriests consider themselves Catholic and not part of a separatist movement, and expect acceptance by the church will come eventually.

The Vatican has decreed that "attempted sacred ordination of a woman" is a delicta graviora, or grave crime, accompanied by automatic excommunication.  The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland said in a statement that "the ordination of a woman is not authentically Catholic."