Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington Excommunicates Woman Priest Janice Sevre-Duszynska of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP)

Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington Excommunicates Woman Priest Janice Sevre-Duszynska of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) 
Why now almost seven years after ordination? 

Janice Sevre Duszynska, ARCWP witnessesd for women priests during the conclave at which Pope Francis was elected. 

From: ARCWP in response to the Diocese of Lexington’s notification of the sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith excommunication of Janice Sevre-Duszynska, rhythmsofthedance1@gmail.com, 


859-684-4247

See: www.arcwp.org

www.bridgetmarys.blogspot.com 



Today, Janice received a certified letter containing a formal “Decree of Excommunication” dated March 31, 2015 from the Diocese of Lexington -- with the approval of the Vatican. Janice was ordained a woman priest on August 9, 2008 in Lexington. She has not repented her ordination. 


The Diocese in collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), formerly “The Inquisition,” said that Janice “following upon two warnings by then-Ordinary of Lexington, Most Reverence Ronald W. Gainer issued on June 13, 2006 and August 7, 2008 did not, within the extended period of time, give any indication of amendment or repentance for the most serious offense that she committed. The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith authorized this Diocesan Administrator (The Very Reverend Robert H. Nieberding of the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, USA), in keeping with these warnings, to declare the excommunication of Janice Sevre-Duszynska, with all the effects established in accord with the 'General Decree regarding the delict of attempted sacred ordination of a woman,' from May 30, 2008 of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith."



It is puzzling that the Lexington Diocese and the CDF issued this decree almost seven years after Janice's priestly ordination on Aug. 9, 2008 in Lexington, Kentucky. Is it a response to the growing solidarity of male priests with our movement? Fr. Roy Bourgeois, Fr. Jerry Zawada and Fr. Bill Brennan all co-presided at Eucharist with Priest Janice Sevre-Duszynska. Or, is the Diocese of Lexington tidying things up as Bishop Ronald Gainer has left and a new bishop has been named?




The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, Bishop, Bridget Mary Meehan, said: "Since Pope Benedict canonized two formerly excommunicated nuns, Mother Theodore Guerin and Mother Mary Mac Killop, one could conclude that he has made excommunication the new fast track to canonization. The Vatican is the gift that keeps on giving!”



The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests rejects this medieval penalty of excommunication. We practice primacy of conscience. We are disobeying an unjust, man-made canon law that discriminates against women in our church. We celebrate sacraments in inclusive Catholic communities where all are welcome and all are equal. Our women priest movement is international and prophetic. We offer the church the gift of a renewed priestly ministry in which women follow God's call to serve at the altar as spiritual equals, created in God's image.



During Easter, we celebrate a God who rises up in Christ to triumph over evil and death, a God who continues to work through us to roll back the stones of oppression, hatred, injustice and discrimination.


We challenge centuries-old patriarchal domination and fear as we walk in the footsteps of Mary of Magdala, apostle to the apostles, who was first to encounter the Risen Christ and proclaim the good news.


It is time for the Catholic Church to follow the example of Jesus and affirm women as apostles and equals! Women priests are answering the call and our movement is growing since it began in 2002 with the ordination of seven women on the Danube. There are now over 210 in our international Roman Catholic Women Priests movement in 10 countries, including Canada and Latin America. In the U.S. approximately 180 women are living and serving in over 60 inclusive Catholic communities and welcoming all to receive sacraments.



According to a recent Gallup Poll, more than 70% of Catholics in the U.S. support women priests. There is no shortage of vocations as women are now saying "Yes" to this call and are being ordained

www.arcwp.org