Sister Louise Akers SC Died Today, A Prophet for Gender Equality in the Catholic Church: "Women's ordination is a justice issue."

We, in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests are grateful for Sister of Charity, Louise Akers, a courageous prophet for women priests, who was banned from teaching or speaking in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2009.  Sister Louise's prophetic witness to the primacy of conscience and her outspoken support for women's rights in our faith tradition will be remembered forever.  As she joins the Communion of Saints, may she continue her advocacy for the full equality of women in the Roman Catholic Church and beyond. We extend our love and sympathy to her family, friends and to the Sisters of Charity. Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, www.arcwp.org

https://www.ncronline.org/news/cincinnati-nun-given-ultimatum-over-ordination-views

"According to the 66-year-old Akers, the archbishop outlined two requirements during their meeting. First, that she remove her name from the ordination web site, a step she has since taken in an effort to defuse the “destructive assaults” against her. Secondly, that she publicly rescind her long-held stance supporting the ordination of women.

The latter is a step she cannot take. “To do so would go against my conscience,” said Akers, who entered the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1960, and holds a doctorate in feminist theology from the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Mass. Her master’s thesis, from the University of Dayton, focused on the “Prophecy of Martin L. King, Jr.”

“For four decades I have devoted my ministry to advocating on behalf of the marginalized through religious congregations, justice organizations, ecumenical and interfaith groups” Akers told NCR. “Women’s ordination is a justice issue. Its basis is the value, dignity and equality of women. I believe this to my very core. To publicly state otherwise would be a lie and a violation of my conscience. I love, support and cherish the part of Church that upholds the gospel mission and vision of Jesus.”

She quoted the words of Martin Luther, uttered centuries ago: “Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise.”

Her stance leaves her unable to make presentations at archdiocesan-sponsored events, to conduct retreats or reflection days, and to teach courses on any subject at sites that are directly related to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. All have been part of her ministry and service to the church, whether full- or part-time.

See inspirational homily by Sister Louise Akers SC

http://catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/08132017

From Catholic Women Preach

Louise Akers, S.C., D. Min., has presented numerous workshops, 
courses and reflection days on justice related issues. 
Her past ministries include justice education & advocacy
 in formal classroom teaching on both the high school 
and university levels, parish coordinator in the 
Archdiocesan Social Action Office of Cincinnati, founder &; 
coordinator of Cincinnati’s Intercommunity Justice &; 
Peace Center, social concerns director of the Leadership 
Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and coordinator of the 
Sisters of the Sisters of Charity Office of Peace, Justice ;
 Integrity of Creation. In 1974 her master’s thesis in
 theology focused on the “Prophecy of Martin L. King, Jr.”, 
in 1996 she completed her Doctor of Ministry 
with a project entitled “Patriarchal Power and the 
Pauperization of Women”. Ministry opportunities 
include working with migrant farm workers, involvement 
with the civil rights & women’s movements 
along with international experiences in Malawi-Africa, 
Nicaragua; El Salvador; Mexico; Czechoslovakia; 
East/West Germany; Italy; Mondragon, Spain; 
Beijing, China; Paris, France; Canada.