"Excommunication? I'm Still Glowing!" Message from Women's Ordination Conference- Hear Us Roar," Amen! Bridget Mary Meehan #WomenPriestsNow

Excommunication? I'm still glowing! Dear Bridget, Ten years ago today, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (formerly the Holy Office of the Inquisition) issued a decree, declaring:  "...Both the one who attempts to confer a sacred order on a woman, and the woman who attempts to receive a sacred order, incur an excommunication latae sententiae reserved to the Apostolic See." This decree unilaterally excommunicated all Roman Catholic women priests, who began publicly ordaining women beginning in 2002, and was also cited in the excommunication of Fr. Roy Bourgeois, who did not ordain anyone but was deemed too vocal in his support for women's ordination.   Today we know the Vatican's attempt to stop the movement for women's equality was painful for many, but has ultimately and fantastically failed.  Women courageously continue to follow their consciences and prophetically answer their calls to ordained ministry. An unjust law is no law at all.  In the face of one closed door after another, Catholic women find a way. "Impossible?" Watch us.   While the Vatican hierarchy continues to insist on closed doors and exclusionary policies, Catholic women and women priests are working for justice, serving the needs of the people of God, and making a positive impact on the world.   Recently, Pope Benedict's top aide, Archbishop Georg Gänswein was quoted saying: "I am of course aware that there is a noisy movement which has as its main ideological goal the fight for the female priesthood." To all the noise-makers and trailblazers: thank you! Congratulations on being part of the "noisy movement" that follows a path of justice and conscience.  Hear us roar!  Add your "noise" on social media today by thanking a woman you know called to priesthood for her ministry and courage. Tag your post using #OrdainWomen.  Or add your voice to the movement by making a donation of $10.24 to challenge Canon 1024, which states only a baptized male can validly receive sacred ordination.   While excommunication can bring great pain and real consequence, today and every day we stand in solidarity with all those who take risks to follow their conscience.  The Church -- the People of God -- are with you.  For equality, Kate McElwee Executive Director P.S.  Want to make some noise in your parish? Organize a "Listening to Women" session to share experiences, ideas, and offer feedback to the hierarchy. Find out more or download the resource packet here.  Celebrating Catholic Women Called  In our new series, we are sharing 1-minute videos of women called to priesthood sharing what they want the world to know about their call to priesthood... Watch our videos here, or consider making your own! Email WOC Program Associate, Katie Lacz, for details.