Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Responds to Pennsylvania Report of Criminal Sexual Abuse of 1000 Children by 300 Priests

Press Release from the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests 
https://arcwp.org

From: Janice Sevre-Duszynska (media) 859-684-4247 rhythmsofthedance1@gmail.com

 Bridget Mary Meehan , (703-505-0004)

MEMBERS OF WOMEN PRIEST COMMUNITY RESPOND TO the Pennsylvania Report of horrific the SEXUAL ABUSE of more than 1000 Children by 300 Priests

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/us/catholic-church-abuse-vatican-statement.html

The New York Times reported that the  Vatican in a statement said "it felt shame and sorrow over the findings that more than 1,000 children had been abused by hundreds of priests over decades while bishops covered up their crimes. The abuses described in the report are criminal and morally reprehensible,” 
On August 14^th the attorney general of Pennsylvania released a 1,300-page report documenting the abuse of more than 1,000 children by 300-plus priests over 70 years, with the number of victims believed to be even higher.

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) joins theologians, educators and leaders in our Church calling for the resignation of the bishops who have covered up decades of horrific sexual abuse of children. It is time to embrace a whole new healthy model of egalitarian ministry that is accountable and transparent. 

“If we had women as equals and partners, women ordained in the Catholic church, the church would not be in this mess, because we would have parents who would minister and who would make sure children are protected,” said Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, a former nun.

“Women priests would not cover up abuse of our children,” said Mary Theresa Streck, a former nun, widow, and co-founder with Bridget Mary Meehan of People’s Catholic Seminary. “We would work for justice for our children as we are working for justice for women in our church.”

Dotty Shugrue: “This is not about the ‘sexual orientation or identity of male priests. One of the many gifts women offer the Church is their natural intuitive gifts, their sense of something going awry, that motherly instinct to protect the children entrusted to their care. Refusing to have women as equal partners in all aspects of ministry and leadership in the Church continues to create a breach of the heart. Women offer a perspective that is essential. It is time to recognize Roman Catholic Women priests as equal partners.”

Jim Marsh: “The sexual abuse of minor children and others by Catholic clergy at all levels of our church is beyond horrific! As a healthy gay male who is an out, loud and proud gay Catholic priest with the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, I strongly state that sexual abuse is never about sexual orientation. In addition to implementing transparency in dealing with this crisis at all levels, I also see a strong need for our Church to develop a theology of sexuality and sex that is wholesome, healthy, and holy regardless of where one may fall on the continuum of sexuality.  The notion of male-female complementarity is not wholesome and healthy because it labels anyone and everything that doesn’t fit into the box as disordered and sinful. We must see sexuality and its expression within the context of blessing— ‘the Holy One desires a fitting companion for all the earth creatures … it is not good to be alone.’ [Genesis]

Just as we need to listen to the stories of those abused by Catholic clergy, we also need to really listen to the lived experiences of gay and lesbian families who are raising children and recognize that these families are holy and good! Next week, the Pope will be attending the World Meeting of Families in Ireland. It’s unfortunate that so many people have been excluded from participating in this gathering, such as women priests and LGBTQI persons.”

Diane Dougherty cites theologian Sister Ilia Delio on the need for structural change from a top-down clerical model to a community of equals model:

"In the past clerical power came from the laity, the “unlettered,” who submitted to the authority of the priest, as if submitting to the power of God. In the future ecclesial power will come from the community of gathered persons who will be set free by the power of God within; who will resist patriarchy in all forms, who will rise up in a new church concelebrated by women and men, inclusive of all gender types, all races, all languages, all colors, all broken and divorced hearts, all those in search of healing, mercy and compassion; a church that will empower the present for a new future of life. “The days are coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a new church which will not deceive as a finished church but as the unfolding of My Life in an unfinished universe. For my work is loving the world; the Living Christ is still coming to be.”