Text: Presentation for North American Synodal Assembly – September 16, 2024
By Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP
Brief History of Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement/Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
Greetings and blessings! I’m Bridget Mary Meehan, one of the bishops serving the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests.
It is a joy to share with you our journey with the People of God in fostering a renewed model of priestly ministry in Spirit-filled, Christ-centered inclusive communities of equals around the world.
The Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement began June 29, 2002, with the Ordination of seven woman on the Danube River near Passau, Germany. Our first women bishops were ordained in 2003 by a male bishop with apostolic succession, therefore our ordinations are valid, but in violation of Canon Law.
This international movement is within the Roman Catholic Church with a mission to prepare, ordain in apostolic succession, and support primarily women who are called to a renewed priestly ministry rooted in justice and faithfulness to the Gospel.
Roman Catholic Women Priests are at the forefront of a model of service that offers Catholics a renewed priestly ministry in vibrant grassroots communities, where all are equal and all are welcome.
There are 300+ members worldwide which includes bishops, priests, deacons, candidates, and a few support members. In the USA, women priests serve in 35 states and the RCWP international movement also includes members in Europe, Canada, Philippines, Central and South America, South Africa and in Taiwan. There are over 75 worshiping- communities and many have online zoom access.
Similarities and Differences between ARCWP and RCWP- USA:
There are two Roman Catholic Women Priests organizations in the USA: Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA and Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Both organizations are part of the international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement. They have the same prophetic mission of ordaining women in apostolic succession to create a renewed priestly ministry. The two major differences are that each organization has a different governing structure and formation program. The members of both ARCWP and RCWP-USA collaborate and work together in a variety of ways:
Members from both organizations work together in international conferences, retreats, and other ministerial activities in various locations.
Our Hopes and Goals for the Synod:
Roman Catholic Women Priests and representatives from our Inclusive communities around the world discussed the Synthesis Report in 3 Forums sponsored by People’s Catholic Seminary from January- March 2024
Our participants affirmed the image of bishops, priests and lay delegates seated around circular tables at the Synod engaging in an open dialogue as a powerful symbol of reciprocal listening and co-responsibility.
We believe that the Synodal Report recognizes that the Spirit is birthing something new and women priests and our communities are part of it when it states that “many baptized Catholics are being drawn into emergent spiritual communities because “it was no longer possible to continue in the traditional Church due to conflicts of conscience, marginalization, and/or outright rejection of the Church’s hierarchical structures, policies, and clergy
The Synthesis Report’s discussion of pastoral needs such as the exclusion of marginalized groups including LGBTQ I+ and sexual abuse victims and the role of emergent spiritual communities described an area of ministry in which women priests and our inclusive communities are engaged.
Women priests and our emergent communities offer a circular model in which the gathered assembly is invited to participate more fully in liturgical rites such as dialogue homilies and the recitation of the Eucharistic Prayer.
For 21 years, our mission has been to foster a Church for everyone, where all are equal and all are welcome to receive sacraments – no exceptions. In decision-making tour ARCWP community engages in a consensus, circular model and the bishop has one vote.
The obstacles we face within the institutional Church are the following:
Exclusion from open dialogue
The challenge for women priests and our communities is that we have not been invited to an open dialogue about our ministries in the Church. Pope Francis has said that the Synod must hear all voices on the margins. He has met with a woman bishop from another Christian denomination, but not with us. We agree with him that it is time to “look others in the eye and listen to what they have to say, to build rapport, to be sensitive to the questions of our sisters and brothers, to let ourselves be enriched by the variety of charisms, vocations and ministries.”
Excommunication.
If we could meet with Pope Francis and the Synodal delegates, we’d ask this unjust punishment be lifted.
We reject the penalty of excommunication that was decreed in 2008. We are leading, not leaving the Church. By our Baptism, we are members of the Church and no Church law or official can cancel our baptism.
We are disobeying an unjust law, so that women can follow their God-given call to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders in order to serve the people of God including those who are currently excluded such as the marginalized, LGBTQI and divorced and remarried Catholics without annulments.
If Pope Francis and the Synodal delegates would meet with us and the People of God we serve, I think they would have a deeper understanding of what our renewed priestly ministry is all about.
The Synthesis Report’s lists pastoral needs such as the exclusion of marginalized groups including LGBTQ I+ and sexual abuse victims as an area of ministry in which the Church should be engaged.
In our ministries and inclusive communities, all who are excluded for whatever reason are welcome to celebrate sacraments. There is a place at the table for everyone- no exceptions. Here people find healing from the wounds of physical, emotional and spiritual abuse and exclusion within the Church.
Steps we are taking to move forward:
Women Priests will be in Rome from Oct 14-27. We come with open and loving hearts ready to engage in sacred listening and to share our inclusive ministries. On October 17th, we plan to ordain 3 deacons and 2 priests from Spain, France and the U.S. in Rome as an act of prophetic love for God’s People who believe women are truly equal in Christ, and as equally capable as men to minister to all Catholics as inclusive and welcoming priests.
We want to build a bridge of hope and love in creating a Church for everyone by engaging in sacred listening and open dialogue!
And taking action by ordaining women to give worldwide Catholics hope that change is possible now. We don’t have to wait for another 10 years for more study on the Diaconate
Women are being ordained now in Catholic communities around the world in inclusive ministries where all are loved, all are equal and all are welcome.
Thank you so much and many blessings!
Roman Catholic Women Priests Websites: romancatholicwomenpriests.org arcwp.org rcwpcanada.altervista.org
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