Commenting on the Pope's message during the Westminster Mass, Peter Isely, of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said: "We don't need a Pope who is sad about crimes. We need a Pope who will prevent crimes. And his words prevent nothing."
Peter Saunders, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, who was also a victim himself, called on the Pope to make funding available to abuse survivors and provide access to Vatican files.
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
As important as expressing sorrow and meeting with a small, pre-chosen group of survivors of sexual abuse in England is, Pope Benedict needs to go further and adopt structurall reforms. These are a few recommendations:
1),acknowledge his role as head of the Congregation of the Doctrine for the Faith, take responsibility for the coverup of the sexual abuse scandal,
2)change the policy of protecting predator clergy first to protecting victims by reporting all serious allegations to civil authorities and doing justice for all,
3) fire bishops who kept predatory priests in ministry,
4) turn over all Vatican files to an international committee for investigation
5) announce systemic changes to reform clericalism with a special focus on the core issue of the abuse of spiritual power that is at the heart of this crisis,
6) adapt structures of accountability and transparency that will apply to all clerics and church ministers worldwide.
7) apologize to Roman Catholic Womenpriests and the entire church for the recent Vatican decree that linked women's ordination with pedophilia.
8) End mandatory celibacy, open up to the partnership of women and men in the Gospels, including womenpriests.
"Thousands have marched in London to protest against the Pope's visit. Organisers of the Protest the Pope event said they wanted to highlight his stance on controversial subjects, including the ordination of women.Sex abuse and Catholic opposition to contraception have also been criticised..."
Bridget Mary's Reflection
According to the BBC news story Al Murray, a comedian who was part of the protest group, said: "The Pope's opposition to condoms kills people. It is all very well him lecturing us on morals but he should look at his own organisation's view."
Mr. Murray reflects the contradictions in Pope Benedict's worldview and teaching. The Catholic Church proclaims that it is a pro-life church, yet it puts people's lives at risk everyday by its opposition to condoms. In Africa, for example, thousands, perhaps, hundred of thousands of women die because their partners do not use condoms during sexual intercourse. These women, often faithful spouses, became infected with the HIV AIDS virus. This teaching is morally reprehensible and should be changed if the church is to truly be pro-life and pro-women. Pope Benedict should ask himself: what would Jesus do? The teachings of the church should reflect the values of justice and compassion in the Gospels. Jesus treated women and men as equals and partners.. Therefore there is no justification for the Catholic Church's teachings which puts women's lives at risk and that excludes women from ordained ministry. More than ever, the Catholic Church needs womenpriests! Bridget Mary Meehan, sofiabmm@aol.com,703-505-0004
“On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine” was newly edited and republished in 1961 on the eve of the Second Vatican Council and has since become a minor classic. It argues that the church does not consist of pastors attended by dutiful faithful, but that it is rather “a conspiracy of pastors and faithful” (pastorum et fidelium conspiratio) in which the faithful should have a respected place justified by their proven witness to Christian orthodoxy. In the bishops’ relationship with the laity, Newman argued, “there is something...which is not in the pastors alone.”
"Newman’s point was not to praise the one group and shame the other. It was rather to assert their importance to one another, to affirm their lived unity in the one body of Christ. In particular, he wanted to urge upon the hierarchy an intellectual as well as affective consideration for the laity..."
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
When Pope Benedict canonizes St. John Newman in England this weekend, I hope he focuses on Newman's legacy-- that the Spirit of God speaks through the People of God. The magisterium's current prohibiton of women's ordination is a striking example of the hierarchy's failure to listen to the Sensus Fidelium! The equality of women in the church and world is the Voice of God in our time and it is enshrined in the hearts of the community of believers. Roman Catholic Womenpriests are meeting with enthusiasm in the Catholic communities that we serve and in those who are seeking women priests to serve their parishes. In Florida, this year, a woman called the local parish to find out when the woman priest was presiding at Mass! And the joy was the parish knew where to find her and shared the information with the inquirer! Can't you see the pastor scratching his head and sighing!! If it was up to some of the stressed out, overworked priests, they would welcome womanpriesst on staff.
Bridget Mary Meehan RCWP, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004
Bishop Andrea Johnson RCWP Gloria Carpeneto Left Gloria Carpeneto and right Andrea Johnson were interviewed today on CNN American Morning/International
Carol Costello, CNN Story Highlights: "Some Catholic women aren't waiting for an answer from the Vatican - they say they've figured out a way around the traditional church and are leading Catholic congregations.
Gloria Carpeneto is one of them. She says she was ordained, thanks to an unnamed male bishop who secretly ordained the first female priests and bishops in 2002. Those women then ordained other women like Carpeneto, who says she is now able to hold mass every Sunday, in priestly robes, in front of small, but loyal congregations in Maryland.
"It struck me that I did not want to go to another faith tradition to be ordained," said Carpeneto...And so the notion of being in the Roman Catholic Church within the Roman Catholic tradition meant a lot to me."...
Despite that, the movement to ordain women priests is growing. That first group of seven women ordained in 2002 has grown. There are now five bishops, 47 priests, 10 deacons, and 16 candidates for formation to priesthood in the United States.
Andrea Johnson, who considers herself a Catholic bishop, is thrilled by the numbers..."It's Catholicism that needs us," she said. "We need the voices of men and women. We need everyone to work together in community, and I think the more we do of that the healthier the Church will be..."
www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Roman Catholic Womenpriests are growing and the church, the people of God, are accepting us. It is the hierarchy and the Vatican that is have a hard time with female priests. Sexism is a sin. It is wrong for any institution to discriminate against anyone including women. The full equality of women in the church and society is the Voice of God in our time. Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004
"Numbers from the Catholic Directory suggest that currently about one million Catholics in England and Wales regularly attend mass. But according to the Catholic National Library, figures for mass attendance were not kept before 1989 and therefore no comparison is possible with the 1982 papal visit...
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
The good news is that there is a Roman Catholic Womenpriest in the UK. Morag Liebert lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. She presides at house church liturgies. Contact Morag Liebert at moragl@connectfree.co.uk
Sexual abuse Survivors" are gathering in Rome in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 31st to declare the "Year of the Survivor", in a special "Reformation Day" ceremony. It’s a gathering of people from around the globe standing together with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, in one united voice to say “ENOUGH!” Boston abuse victim, Bernie McDaid, who met Pope Benedict in 2008 said it was planned to observe 60 seconds of silence in St. Peter's Square to be followed by a candelight vigil. "We've just had the Year for Priests, now we will have the Year for Survivors." Contact Bernie McDaid: bernie.mcdaid@gmail.com
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Catholics worldwide must stand in solidarity with survivors of clergy sexual abuse and demand change from the Vatican. The victims of sexual abuse are our sisters and brothers. No more excuses, no more stonewalling, no more hand-wringing. We the church, the people of God, must demand that Pope Benedict accept the resignation of bishops who shuffled predator priests from parish to parish. If, Pope Benedict himself cannot or will not do this, then it is time for him to resign as a sign of solidarity with survivors and an act of reconciliation to heal this cancer destroying the soul of our church. In addition, there must be a system of accountability and an end to clericalism that puts clergy on pedestals and protects the institution at the expense of the victims of horrific abuse and criminal behavior. Systemic change is needed in the Catholic Church. In my view, the people in the pews should stop giving until the hierarchy starts listening and adopting significant reforms. More than ever, we need women priests in a renewed priestly ministry in people-empowered, transparent, accountable Catholic communities. We are the church and its future is in our hands. Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP , sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004
"BRUSSELS (AP) - The Belgian Roman Catholic church is acknowledging widespread sexual abuse over years by its clergy and promising to help victims heal and punish the abusers.
On Friday, a report was published in which hundreds of sex abuse victims revealed harrowing accounts of molestation by Catholic clergy throughout the country over the past 50 years.
In response, Belgium's Archbishop Andre-Mutien Leonard said Monday "a feeling of anger and powerlessness" had taken hold of the church."
"Several female bishops from European churches were present at Helsinki’s Lutheran Cathedral on Sunday, when Finland’s Evangelical Lutheran Church ordained Irja Askola as Bishop of Helsinki. Even though the Finnish Orthodox and Catholic churches had criticised the choice of a woman as the Lutheran Bishop of Helsinki, both were represented at the ceremony. Metropolitan Ambrosius of the Finnish Orthodox Church and Vicar-General Wieslaw Swiech of the Roman Catholic Church were present at the ordination..."
Bridget Mary's Blog: Irja Askola , Bishop of Helsinki, blessings and warm wishes to you as you chart a path toward partnership and equality for women and men in the Christian tradition. Perhaps, one day, the Roman Catholic hierarchy will affirm the ministry of womenpriests and bishops called forth from the community for ministry in an inclusive, people-empowered church. In prayerful solidarity, Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
Roman Catholic Womenpriests' Ordination of U.S. bishops left to right Joan Houk, Great Waters, Ida Raming, Germany, Regina Nicolosi, Midwest (holding crozier) Bridget Mary Meehan, South Andrea Johnson, East, second row, right Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger, Austria, Patricia Fresen, Germany Patricia, Ida and Christine presided at historic U.S. bishops ordinationson April 19,2009 in California. Our first bishops were ordained by a male Roman Catholic Bishop in apostolic succession, therefore, our RCWP ordinations are valid, but in violation of man-made canon law. We claim equal rights by using equal rites.
2010 -- July 9-12 -- "The CofE General Synod approves the latest stage in the consecration of women bishops, a long process unlikely to be completed before 2014. Within days, the Vatican codifies the "attempted ordination of a woman" to the priesthood as a most serious crime against Church law."Bridget Mary's ReflectionBravo for the Anglican Communion for moving ahead with women bishops. Equal rights for women in the church is the Voice of God in our times! The Vatican's new law codifies misogyny. It takes us back to Church Fathers like Tertullian who called women "the gateway to the devil." It is time for the Vatican to follow Jesus' example of Gospel equality. The Risen Christ appeared first to Mary of Magdala, the apostle to the apostles. Is it a crime to ordain a woman, or is the real crime the institutional church's discrimination against women? Roman Catholic Womenpriests are leading the way toward justice and equality for women in the Roman Catholic Church. Bridget Mary Meehan, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004
Catholics Pack Church in support of Roman Catholic Womenpriests in Florida at historic ordination in Feb. 2010 Judy Lee, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest, ministers in house church-serving homeless and impoverished people in Ft Myers, Florida
"Beneath the surface, there is a clamour for change. Robert Mickens from the Catholic paper the Tablet says that increasingly parishes are going their own way. Unofficially there are women priests in the US... "
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Roman Catholic Womenpriests are serving communities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. In the UK, Morag Liebert, the first Roman Catholic Womanpriest ordained in Scotland, presides at liturgy in a house church there. Contact Morag Liebert at moragl@connectfree.co.uk
Catholics are voting with their feet. They are enthusiastic members of our inclusive grassroots communities. The opposition of the hierarchy in many cases serves as an impetus to growth. When Bishop Frank Dewane threatened to excommunicate the historic ordination of women priests in Sarasota, Florida in Feb., over 200 Catholics filled the church in support of Roman Catholic Womenpriests.
Since the Delicta Graviora story, the Vatican's comparison of the crime of ordaining women to priest pedophilia,the Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement has experienced a surge in new applicants and requests for information on women-led priests' liturgies as well as world-wide media coverage. Onc could say, the Vatican's hostility to women priests has resulted in greater interest and support for our initiative of a renewed priestly ministry in which women take their place as equals and partners in the church.
CNN will feature a story on The Living Water Inclusive Catholic Community in Catonsville, Maryland that will air on this coming Thursday, September 16, twice, between the hours of 6-10AM EDT. That program is called CNN Morning.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004
(left Morag Liebert, RCWP, right, Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan ordained MoragLiebert in Edinburgh in 2009)
"Pope Benedict's failure to tackle the child abuse issue adequately is just one of a number of criticisms facing the Catholic church ahead of his arrival in Edinburgh on Thursday. Issues ranging from homosexuality, the ordination of women priests, contraception to prevent the spread of Aids, and abortion threaten to overshadow the visit. A series of Protest the Pope events are planned."
Morag Liebert, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest, from Edinburgh was ordained by the Roman Catholic Womenpriests' Movement in 2009. She offers hope for the future of Catholicism as inclusive and open... Contact: moragl@connectfree.co.uk
Roman Catholic Womenpriests are disobeying an unjust law that discriminates against women. Our first women bishops were ordained by a male Roman Catholic bishop in aposotlic succession, so we are validly ordained. We claim equal rights using equal rites.
Roman Catholic Womenpriests are leading the church into a new era of justice and equality for women in the church, modeled on Jesus example in the Gospels and the twelve hundred year tradition of women in Holy Orders. Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, 703-505-0004.sofiabmm@aol.com
Dublin Abuse Survivor and Activist Marie Collins (left),
Bridget Mary Meehan(right), Andrew Madden, in suit behind women, author of Altar Boy: A Story of Life After Abuse Bridget Mary Meehan (left) addressed Humbert Summer School in Castlebar, Ireland on Aug. 20,2010 topic: justice and equality for sex abuse survivors and for women in the church (Both photos courtesy Bill Heaney, Glasgow)
When Pope Benedict lands in England, he will encounter fallout from his failure to fire bishops who shuffled predator priests who raped and sexually abused youth. The pope should retract the Vatican's recent decision to link pedophiles with women priests, a move that has been condemned worldwide. The Vatican's hostile edict which prescribed automatic excommunication for anyone associating with the ordination of a woman reminds us of the church's long history of misogyny with its insinuation that the ordination of a woman somehow defiles the sacrament. Is it a crime to ordain a woman or is the real crime to continue to discriminate against women in the church? Roman Catholic Womenpriests claim equal rights by using equal rites to bring justice and equality to the church.
Roman Catholic Womenpriests are leading the Catholic Church into a new era of justice where women, ordained validly in apostolic succession, are offering the church a renewed priestly ministry in a more open, inclusive community of equals where all are welcome to receive sacraments and all are called to receive Eucharist at the Banquet of Christ's boundless love.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP 703-505-0004
sofiabmm@aol.com
"A few weeks ago, I was interviewed by NET NY, the cable TV broadcast station for the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. From what I understand, some of my comments will be used on a special that they are putting together as background on their coverage of Pope Benedict's visit to the UK next week."
interview with Roman Catholic Womanpriest Alice Iaquinta and Maryknoll Priest Roy Bourgeois
"The world was shocked when the Vatican recently equated the sin of pedophilia with the sin of women's ordination. In spite of the ban, the ordination of Roman Catholic women priests goes on unabated. To talk about the issue, we'll be joined by Maryknoll priest and activist, Roy Bourgeois, who has been excommunicated for his support of women's ordination, and Reverend Alice Iaquinta, Regional Program Coordinator for Roman Catholic Women Priests in the U.S. who offers a structural critique of the Vatican's rhetoric. "
by Regina Nicolosi, RCWP- bishop/Midwestern Region
Luke, 15, 1 -32
In today’s Gospel, Luke presents to us three “lost and found stories”:A shepherd and his sheep, a woman and her coin and a father, and his two sons.In the first and second story, the objects to be found are passive.Neither the sheep, nor the coin, participate in their being found.That is different in the famous story of the prodigal son.The son makes the initial move to return.He has a change of heart and because of the movement of his heart, he redirects his life journey.
It is this active involvement of the one found, which challenged me to focus on the story of the prodigal son today as we celebrate Alice’s Mass of Thanksgiving.
But before we speak about the journey of the lost child back home to the parent, let us for a moment think about the audience in front of Jesus when he presents his three parables.Luke tells us that the majority of people, crowding around Jesus, are “tax-gatherers and other bad characters”, but there are also “doctors and Pharisees”, and they are the ones who grumble and judge him, because he hangs out with the sinners.
In good Hebrew fashion, Jesus does not give them an intellectual lecture in response and in his defense, but he tells three parables.
A parable is, according to the dictionary “a narrative of imagined events to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson”.Considering the audience and their interactions with each other and with Jesus, it is not difficult to understand, that Jesus’ main theme weaving through all three parables was, that our God is more concerned about those who seem to be lost and find their way home than those who smugly believe, they have already arrived.
There is another aspect of these parables upon which I want to touch, before I actually tell you my interpretation of the story.Like much of scripture, we do not only deal with the actual words Jesus used, but we are exposed to several interpretive layers on top of the original story. The early Christian community added these layers to make sense of their own experiences, their joys and tribulations as followers of Jesus.
Luke, the evangelist who put all these layers together, is known as the one who gives voice to the poor and powerless.He mentions women more often than any of the other Gospel writers.He is no Feminist, however.In the Women’s Bible commentary, Jane Schaberg, calls the parable of the prodigal son, the parable of the missing mother.This really intrigued me!!It is a problem for us women that the authors of scripture are all men and that women are mostly passive and silent. Even those passages which gave women a voice were silenced and buried systematically in the past two thousand years of our church’s history.
Feminist theologians and scripture scholars encourage us to deconstruct and reconstruct women’s voices in our sacred scriptures.
And so I take the courage to retell this story of the prodigal son today.I hope that my retelling of the story will help us to celebrate the joyful occasion of Alice’s Mass of Thanksgiving in a more meaningful way:
There once was a mother, who had a daughter and two sons.The mother had great plans for all of her children.She told her children often that she was preparing them for important work in her large vineyard. But the daughter was timid.She had been told by her relatives, her brothers and by her friends, that she was most lovable, when she was agreeable and servile, pretty to look at, but not too outspoken.One day, the daughter said to her mother:I will leave you and find myself a husband to take care of me, have children and raise them.That is what my calling is all about.The mother was very sad, but she let her daughter go, because she was a wise mother who knew that with a teenage daughter, there is not much room for reasoning.The daughter went out into the world, she found husbands, she had children, she made friends and lost them. Once in a while in the ups and downs of her life, she remembered her mother’s plans for her.But the voice was not clear yet. Then the daughter became quite ill.She felt very lost and lonely.In her loneliness, confusion and fear she became more and more aware of her mother’s call.The voice became stronger.She understood, that it had been necessary for her to leave, that the experiences of her life had made her the mature, intelligent and compassionate woman she now was.Audre Lord’s words came into her mind: “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important, whether I am afraid.” Finally she said:Let me go home to my mother, she loves me and will care for me.She knows my inner being. She is calling me to serve her and in her service I will understand more deeply who I am and how I can be present to those who need me.
When the mother saw her daughter coming home she ran out and opened her arms wide to receive her back.She said:Welcome daughter, come and receive your inheritance which I have kept for you.Come put on an alb, a chasuble and a stole. You did not know your worth, but you have turned around and come back.Let’s celebrate!
But what about the two brothers?I know, I should stop right here and not turn the parable into an allegory explaining every detail.But it is too tempting to draw some parallels.
The older brother came in from the fields and complained:Mother, I have served you for two thousand years. Who is she?A woman cannot represent our brother Jesus.I have done the work for you all the time. No one has the power to give her equal rights.Not even you, mother.The younger brother, however, rejoiced and said to his sister:It’s about time you came home.There is so much work to be done.Welcome home, sis.Let’s celebrate first, but then let’s get to work.
The mother was much more pleased with the younger brother.She nudged the older one and encouraged him to join the festivities. But he was not ready, yet.He is still out there, pouting.
Then the mother turned to her daughter, she put her arms around her shoulder and led her into the large central room of the house.There were large vases of fragrant roses. Everything needed for a party had been prepared.And the mother said:Let’s celebrate:You, my daughter have come home and you shall preside at the celebration of Thanksgiving, at the Eucharist.
Regina preached this homily at Alice Iaquinta's Mass of Thanksgiving.
Pastor Judy (right) with Church in the Park Ministry Pastor Judy (center) presides at Sunday Liturgy at Church in the House Ministry Pastor Judy (right) baptizes 3 children on Easter Sunday
PublishAmerica Presents
Come by Here
by Judith A.B. Lee
Frederick, MD September 10, 2010 -- PublishAmerica is proud to present Come by Here: Church with the Poor by Judith A.B. Lee from Fort Myers, Florida.
This moving book gives voice to the poor and illuminates ministry with people who are facing poverty, homelessness, systemic oppression, and a host of life’s challenges. Interwoven are the poignant stories of the people and the author’s reflections on the Church in the Park and the Church in the House ministry. Asserting that Good News for the poor must include being poor no more, it tells a story of hope in the midst of profound struggle. It begins and ends with the theology of the poor as informed by the Gospels, the people themselves, and relevant theologies. It is church emerging fully alive from the ashes of dying institutional churches that fail to make church with the poor and outcast even while they may provide alms and food for them. You will not put down this inspiring account of ministry, faith, and love.
Known as “Pastor Judy” to the members of the Good Shepherd community in Fort Myers, Florida, Rev. Dr. Judith Lee lives her life-long call to love and serve the poor. With Doctorates in Ministry and Social Work, she has been serving the homeless since 1982. The author of many publications, she is Professor Emerita at the University of Connecticut. She was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in July of 2008 and is a leader in the Southern Region of Roman Catholic Women Priests.
For more information on the book, and/or Pastor Judy Lee's Ministry, contact her:
