"In 3 Countries, Challenging the Vatican on Female Priests"/ by Laurie Goodstein/ New York Times/Tide is turning in favor of women priests

Fr. Roy Bourgeois holds cup at Janice Sevre Duszynska's ordination.

Now male priests, bishops and a cardinal are supporting his stance for gender justice in the church and some are advocating for women priests.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/world/23priest.html?_r=1

In 3 Countries, Challenging the Vatican on Female Priests /NY Times

LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: Friday, July 22, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.
"More than 150 Roman Catholic priests in the United States have signed a statement in support of a fellow cleric who faces dismissal for participating in a ceremony that purported to ordain a woman as a priest, in defiance of church teaching.
The American priests’ action follows closely on the heels of a “Call to Disobedience” issued in Austria last month by more than 300 priests and deacons. They stunned their bishops with a seven-point pledge that includes actively promoting priesthood for women and married men, and reciting a public prayer for “church reform” .....
See movie listing priests, bishops and a cardinal who support women priests
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X78CfOZ8W-0

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
We are at the beginning of a tipping point. Now rank and file priests are saying "Enough" of sexism in our church. There is a growing enthusiasm for women priests in the Catholic Church- now the male priests are jumping on the bandwagon of support for gender justice. So are some bishops and a cardinal!
Watch movie on youtube!

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004

157 Catholic Priests Rise Up To Support Fellow Embattled Priest

"In an unprecedented move, 157 Catholic priests have signed on to a letter in support of their fellow embattled priest, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, who has been told to recant his support for women's ordination or be removed from the priesthood. The letter that supports Roy's priesthood and his right to conscience was delivered, Friday, July 22nd, to Fr. Edward Dougherty, Superior General of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in Maryknoll, NY.

"We can no longer remain silent while priests and even bishops are removed from their posts simply because they choose to speak their truth," said Fr. Fred Daley, a spokesperson of the effort and a priest of the Syracuse Diocese. "Together, we are standing up for our brother priest, Roy, and for all clergy who have felt afraid to speak up on matters of conscience.

"We hope that our support as ordained priests in good standing will help give Fr. Dougherty the support he needs to make a decision that is fair and just."

This stance of priests from the United States follows a series of recent actions where priests collectively have taken a stand for justice in the Church. Last year, priests in Ireland formed a union aimed at organizing the 6,500 priests there in response to the clergy abuse crisis. In May of this year, the National Council of Priests of Australia released a statement in support of a bishop forced to resign because he mentioned women's ordination as one possible solution to the priest shortage. Then, this month, the Austrian-based Initiative of Parish Priests launched a campaign with 300 priests signing a call for resistance that encourages, among other things, the inclusion of women and married men to the priesthood..."
July 23, 2011
Nicole Sotelo, Call To Action : 773.404.0004 x285
Kate Conmy, Women's Ordination Conference, 202.675.1006

Douglas Laycock, J.D/Newcomers Facing Traditionalists in a Tug-of-War Struggle By Megan Larkin

WASHINGTON--A silent storm is brewing to put “the people” in church pulpits--women, lay members, minorities and other faithful—who find the church doors locked against them by traditionalists who want no “outsiders.”
Women priests denied the pulpit are in the forefront, and backed by some strong advocates.
“Something is bubbling now,” Suzanne Thiel, president of Roman Catholic Women Priests, told The Spiritual Herald. “We’re not going away and it seems to be snowballing and developing. We seem to be a thorn in their side.”

Hushon added that the “movement is getting larger and larger” and he predicts that it will soon reach a critical mass at which point huge gains will be made.
“We could see some very interesting things as acts of resistance. We could see two weeks in a row significant numbers of people who don’t give anything in the collection bowl. We could see two or three weeks in a row at the end of this year where nobody shows up to give communion. Or nobody shows up to read. Or nobody shows up to teach,” he said.
Those in power are seeing the vulnerability of their position. The movement not only consists of lay people but includes religious leaders who are speaking out together. Reports of disobedience are increasing and in the Catholic Church in particular priests are deliberately disobeying orders of higher authorities with no repercussions...
The movement’s leverage will continue to grow along with its numbers, inspiring bigger and bolder attempts to challenge the status quo.
http://www.thespiritualherald.org/article.php?id=208

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X78CfOZ8W-0

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Congratulations to John Hushon and the American Catholic Council Conference for their work for renewal in the Catholic Church. Let us be the change that we profess to be as we transform our beloved church. Mary, Mother of Jesus Catholic Community's leadership Circle was present in Detroit. The Associaiton of Roman Catholic Women Priests were present too!
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org
sofiabmm@aol.com

"Blessings Given, Disaster Averted"/Your Support Needed for Good Shepherd Ministries/Contact Pastor Judy Lee, ARCWP

Pastor Judy Lee , ARCWP Celebrates
Sacrament of Baptism with newest members
of churchat Joshua House
Ft. Myers, Florida

Dear Friends,
This is a brief update on Good Shepherd Ministries for our supporters. The first paragraph describes the joy of this summer with our young people. The second describes the near disaster that was averted this week. For the blessings of this summer, may God be praised. This was an active summer as we had eight days of working with our young people even as our nucleus of 30-40 worshippers continued to celebrate with us regularly. Six of these days were a part of our formal Vacation Bible School and two were special field trips. Each day was full of blessings. We served twelve children ranging in age from 4 -15. All were from very low income households. We gave small stipends to the two fifteen year olds as "junior leaders". Two parents worked with us and also earned small stipends as my Assistants. Our wonderful regular Sunday School Associate Teacher, Efe Cudjoe,17, who will be attending Brown University in the Fall was able to be with us for a number of the Camp days. (Efe is bottom right in the planting photo).And Hank Tessandori and Harry Gary assisted with activities and transportation. Our kids learned a great deal more about God's love by experiencing it. They are also more competent in reading, understanding and knowing the Bible. And they loved exploring Creation, especially planting the garden and being at the beach with the tiny sea creatures. Most importantly they grew in their relationships with Christ and loving one another. At the end of the Camp three people requested to be baptized. Two were teens 13 1nd 15 and one was a parent. Wow! (I am attaching a few VBS pictures). A few days ago we had a near disaster at the house church. The Air Conditioner ( a reconditioned Unit that we had for only one year) literally blew up and emitted fire and smoke. Fortunately one of the men, Joe, who lives in Joshua House heard the noise, saw the fire and smoke and called us right away. He then turned the breaker off thereby averting more fire. Yesterday we replaced the Unit that was completely burnt out and learned that if Joe had not acted so quickly the house could have burned down. We were told that it completely lacked safety devices that are usually installed. We thank God that this disaster was averted. The cost of the new Air Conditioner was $5000. The labor was donated by the company and they were careful to install all safety devices up to code. Needless to say we are now praying for donations to help with this major cost. We break even on a monthly basis due to our wonderful regular supporters and one time gifts. We are hoping that hearts will open to help us pay this bill and enable our work to continue.
If you know anyone who can help, checks are made out to Good Shepherd Ministries of SWFl and sent to 18520 Eastshore Drive, Fort Myers, Florida. Thank you for your loving support and prayers. love and blessings,
Rev. Dr. Judith Lee, ARCWP
Judith Beaumont, Administrator

St. Mary of Magdala Feast Day:Advocate for Women Priests Full Equality Now/Don't Settle for Diaconate

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Catch the Growing Wave of Enthusiasm for Women Priests in the Catholic Church. Now male priests, bishops, theologians, even a Cardinal is Supportive!

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests ...
5 min

Catch the growing wave of enthusiasm for women priests in the Catholic Church. Now male priests, bishops, theologians, even a ...youtube.com

Movie! Enjoy!
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

300 Austrian Priests Call for Women Priests

http://www.ncronline.org/news/global/300-austrian-clerics-call-women-priests

"Risking All For Peace, Creativity in the Service of Non-Violence" by Janice Sevre-Duszynska, ARCWP

Author Janice Servre-Duszynska with Fr. Bill Brennan
at SOA Watch in Georgia

http://article25news.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/risking-all-for-peace-creativity-in-the-service-of-non-violence/

Risking All for Peace, Creativity in the service of non-violence
By Janice Sevre-Duszynska (Published in Article 25 News)

"Kathy Kelly, an internationally known peace activist, drew concentric circles on the chalkboard.
The outermost circle represented U.S. citizens thoroughly antagonistic toward aims and strategies of the peace movement. In the next circle were people apathetic about wars the United States is waging. In the next circle were citizens whose opinions could be swayed, followed by a circle representing the organizers willing to engage in setting up education and outreach actions. The innermost and smallest circle represented those who risk imprisonment for non-violent direct actions or risk their lives by traveling as peacemakers into war zones.

Kelly suggested that the circle most important to expand is that of the organizers, those who maintain databases, write press releases, arrange speaking events, organize phone banks and accomplish all the tasks necessary to broaden outreach and education.

“How do we make this part of the circle grow?” she asked.
Kelly suggested that many people possess excellent organizing skills but are consumed with arranging sports and entertainment events for their children, e.g. soccer games.
“Can we appeal to the parents’ natural empathy for children and encourage stronger involvement with peace and environmental activism that will build a better future for their children?” she asked.
Peacemakers from all over the United States gathered last year during the July 4 weekend in Oak Ridge, Tenn., for the 30th anniversary of Plowshares, The Nuclear Resister and Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance. Kelly suggested engaging people in the anti-nuclear and anti-war movement by seeking common ground.
‘Where you stand’
The Nobel Peace Prize nominee’s peacemaking journey began many years ago. She was persuaded, she said, by Daniel Berrigan, renowned poet, American peace activist and Roman Catholic priest, who said, “We have assumed the name of peacemakers, but we have been, by and large, unwilling to pay any significant price. And because we want the peace with half a heart and half a life and will, the war, of course continues, because the waging of war by its nature, is total – but the waging of peace, by our own cowardice, is partial. So a whole will and a whole heart and a whole national life bent toward war prevail over the mere desire for peace.”
In 1988 Kelly was sentenced to a year in prison for planting corn on nuclear-missile silo sites. She served nine months in a maximum-security prison in Lexington, Ky. In spring 2004 she served three months at Pekin Federal Prison for crossing the line as part of an ongoing effort by School of the Americas Watch to close the combat training school at Fort Benning, Ga.
Kelly went on to help found Voices in the Wilderness, a campaign to end the U.N. and U.S. sanctions against Iraq. For taking medicine to Iraq in open violation of the sanctions, she and other campaign members were notified of a proposed $163,000 penalty. They were threatened with 12 years in prison and eventually fined $20,000 – a sum that they’ve refused to pay. Later they renamed the organization Voices of Creative Nonviolence.
Voices in the Wilderness organized 70 delegations to visit Iraq during the period between 1991 and the beginning of the “Operation Shock and Awe” warfare, which began in 2003. Kelly had visited Iraq 24 times since 1996.
In October 2002, Voices of the Wilderness declared its intent to remain in Baghdad, alongside Iraqi civilians, throughout a war they thought they could still prevent. Kelly and her team stayed in Baghdad throughout the bombardment and invasion and maintained a household in Baghdad until March 2004.
During the first two weeks of the Gulf War, she was part of the Gulf Peace Team, a peace encampment on the Iraqi-Saudi border. Following evacuation to Amman, Jordan, on Feb. 4, 1991, team members stayed in the region for the next six months to help coordinate medical relief convoys and study teams.
Other Lands Have Dreams: From Baghdad to Pekin Prison, published in 2005, is Kelly’s account of her time in Iraq from the first Gulf War of 1991 through the misery of 12 years of economic sanctions to the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq that began with Operation Shock and Awe and continues to the present.
“Something that we often said in Iraq was, ‘Where you stand determines what you see.’ We didn’t see ourselves as human shields, but we wanted to stand alongside people and try to understand the war from the perspective of people who are in front of the gun or caught in the crosshairs,” Kelly said. “But, of course, one reality is we had our European passport and could leave, whether it’s Gaza or Iraq or Afghanistan or Pakistan. They have nowhere to leave. We thought we could amplify the voices of the people whose concerns are often unrepresented or overlooked.
“That’s been one of the motivating energies for a long series of Voices efforts, but we also think we should launch campaigns to affect public opinion here and make the issues political issues so elected officials could know that 70 percent of the public registered disapproval of the war in Afghanistan. Yet at the exit polls at the midterm elections, only 3 per cent said it was a political issue that would affect their voting choices.”
‘Not a cry for war’
In 2007 Voices for Creative Nonviolence launched the Occupation Project, a campaign of sustained non-violent civil disobedience aimed at ending funding for the U.S. war in and occupation of Iraq. CODEPINK, Declaration of Peace, Veterans for Peace and other national organizations joined in organizing the campaign. Between Feb. 5 and April 17, 2007, over 320 arrests occurred in the offices of 39 representatives and senators. The campaign spread nationally, with campaigns in over 25 states from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Ore., and from Fairbanks, Alaska to Huntsville, Ala.
The goal of the campaign was to encourage representatives and senators to commit to voting against any funding for the Iraq War. Voices members aimed to non-violently occupy the offices of elected officials who persisted in voting to fund ongoing war.
“Eighteen congresspersons changed their vote,” Kelly said. “All of them had offices which were occupied by participants in the Occupation Project.”
In 2007 she spent five months in Amman, Jordan, living among Iraqis who had fled their homes and were seeking resettlement.
She visited Gaza during Israel’s “Operation Cast Lead” assault in 2009 and spent a month in Pakistan in 2009, writing eyewitness accounts of war’s impact on civilians. Kelly traveled to Pakistan once and to Afghanistan three times in 2010, with small delegations intent on learning more about conditions faced by ordinary people in these countries affected by of warfare. This spring she and two dozen peace activists visited Afghanistan, where they worked closely with the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers in search of non-military solutions to end the war.
Kelly spoke of how a journalist recently called to talk about news that the United States had killed Osama Bin Laden. Referring to throngs of young people celebrating outside the White House, the reporter asked what Voices would say if it had a chance to speak with those young people.
“We’d want to tell them about a group of people who in November of 2001 walked from Washington, D.C., to New York City carrying a banner that said, ‘Our Grief is not a Cry for War.’ Several of the walkers had lost their loved ones in the attacks on 9/11. When the walk ended, they founded Families for Peaceful Tomorrows to continually represent the belief that our security is not founded in violence and revenge.
“Often during that walk, participants were asked what we’d suggest as an alternative to invading Afghanistan. One response was that the U.S. and other countries could enact a criminal investigation and rely on police work and intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack. As it turns out, the U.S. discovered where Osama bin Laden was through those means and not through warfare. How have the past 10 years of aerial bombardments, night raids, death squads, assassinations and drone attacks in Afghanistan benefited the U.S. people? Did the carnage and bloodshed bring the U.S. closer to discovering the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden? Have we defeated terrorism or created greater, deeper hatred toward the U.S.?”
Kelly recounted a 2010 Voices delegation that visited a rural village in the central highlands of Afghanistan. They sat with women who were close in age to the young people who were celebrating at the White House when Bin Laden was killed. Asked if they had ever heard of a time when a large passenger plane had crashed into a tall building in the United States, the young women were puzzled. They had never heard of 9/11.
“They live in a country where 850 children die every day, a country which the U.N. has termed the worst country in the world into which a child can be born, where the average life expectancy is 42 years of age. The UN says that 7.4 million Afghans live with hunger and fear of starvation, while millions more rely on food help, and one in five children die before the age of 5. Each week the U.S. taxpayers spend $2 billion to continue the war in Afghanistan.”

Ireland Confronts Vatican/Demands Accountability on Sexual Abuse Scandal

John Cooney, Irish Independent
Thursday, July 21, 2011

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/kenny-has-crossed-the-rubicon-with-allout-attack-on-rome-2827298.html



"LIKE a Crusader heading off to pagan lands to fight the Infidel, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has embarked on an all-out battle against the heinous evil of protected clerical paedophilia in the Vatican citadel which he must not lose.Unlike his predecessors in the office of Taoiseach, he is not rallying to the cause of the Papal Flag. He is taking on the Vicar of Christ and Supreme Pontiff under the banner of 'Children First'.


Whether wittingly in full knowledge of the likely consequences of his historic challenge to Roman supremacy, or merely playing to the gallery, the man from Mayo, literally, yesterday crossed a Rubicon of no return.


The Taoiseach's fiery speech during the Dail debate on the report of the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne marked him out from the deferential Ireland of WT Cosgrave and Eamon de Valera, and more notably, from the "Do-nothing Ireland" of Brian Cowen.Moving the motion of censure as a cradle Catholic, but also as father of a young family, Mr Kenny was relentlessly savage in his verbal onslaught against the Vatican of Pope Benedict XVI.

Speaking at "an unprecedented juncture" in traditionally chummy Vatican-Ireland relations, Enda, the democratic revolutionist elevated Cloyne to a different order from the Ferns, Ryan and Murphy reports.He did so because "for the first time in Ireland, a report into child sexual abuse exposes an attempt by the Holy See to frustrate an inquiry in a sovereign, democratic republic . . . as little as three years ago, not three decades ago"...."

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests- Priests, Bishops, Theologians, Cardinal Express Support/Challenge Vatican Prohibition/Women's Ordination

Ordination of four deacons in Sarasota, Fl.
April 2011


Fr. Roy left hold up cup, Janice Sevre-Duszynska
holds up bread
at ordination Mass which led to
Fr. Roy's excommunication by Vatican.

NEW MOVIE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X78CfOZ8W-0

A New Day of Hope is Dawning for the Church as Male Priests, Bishops, Theologians and a Cardinal Express Support for Women Priests, Challenge Vatican's Prohibition

Catch the growing wave of enthusiasm for women priests in the Catholic Church. Now male priests, bishops, theologians, even a cardinal are joining the enthusiastic chorus of support by challenging the Vatican's prohibition on women's ordination. They are following in the footsteps of Maryknoll Roy Bourgeois whose prophetic call for a dialogue on women priests is being heard in our church today. Nothing can stop the movement of the spirit toward human rights, justice and equality in our world and in our church.
Now is the time to act.
You can make a difference.
Join the movement for justice for women in the Catholic Church!
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is a stream of the international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement that began on the Danube River with the ordination of seven women in 2002. We are in the United States and Latin America.

In order to claim equality for women in the church women priests are ordained in apostolic succession in the same way as men. -We use equal rites to promote equal rights to achieve justice for women in the church.

The unique focus of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is on justice and equality:

1.We seek justice for women in the church including ordination and justice for all.
2. We serve the poor and marginalized.
3. We live the spiritual and social justice tradition of the church in inclusive communities of equals.

In spite of the Vatican's effort to punish women priests, our movement is flourishing.Drenched in the Spirit's prophetic imagination, grassroots communities are springing up led by women and men priests and empowered people.

Now, we have reached a tipping point.
For millions of people, the time has come for women priests.

TIME Magazine rated Women Priests the #6 top story in 2010 .

A growing number of priests, theologians as well as, bishops and a cardinal from Europe, Australia the United States and Latin America are calling for women priests.

---Over 250 German speaking theologians called for a dialogue on women in ministry thereby opening the door to women's ordination.

---Bishop Markus Buchel, bishop of the diocese of St. Gall in Switzerland spoke out openly for women's ordination on Easter Sunday/2011 in the parish paper. He said: "We must search for steps that lead there," "I could imagine that women's diaconate could be such a step."Regarding priesthood for women, Büchel said, "We can pray that the Holy Spirit enables us to read the signs of the times."

--- Bishop William Morris, from Australia, was forced to resign by the Vatican for wanting to discuss married priests and women priests as a possible response to the shortage of priests.

---300 Austrian priests have called for major reform and dialogue on women priests. http://www.ncronline.org/news/global/300-austrian-clerics-call-women-priests

----A male priest co-celebrated the ordination liturgy of Marta Soto, the first woman priest ordained in Latin America.--

---Cardinal Jose da Cruz Policarpo of Lisbon, Portugal has said there's "no fundamental theological obstacle" to the ordination of women as priests in the Catholic Church


--- Following the lead of Roy Bourgeois, more priests in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere are now choosing the living water of the Spirit and supporting the justice of gender equality.

-- By the waters of our Baptism, we are all equals.

--The grace of Spirit water flows through the world, and waves of liberation follow as women priests remind us that women are equal images of God, and are therefore worthy to preside at the altar.

Join the mighty wave that is moving the church to partnership in a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered community of equals.

---Jump in the water that is bringing new life, creativity and justice to the church and beyond.

Help us promote Gospel equality in a renewed Roman Catholic Church now!

Visit our website: http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

Friend us on Facebook.

Dialogue with us on Bridget Mary's Blog

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

Contact emails:
Bridget Mary Meehan- sofiabmm@aol.com
Judy Lee judyabl@embarqmail.com
Janice Sevre-Duszynska rhythmsofthedance@msn.com,
Link to this Youtube Movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X78CfOZ8W-0

Papal Visit In Doubt As Relations Worsen/ Irish Independent/John Cooney

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/papal-visit-in-doubt-as-relations-worsen-2822410.html

John Cooney/Irish Independent
"THE prospects of a visit by the Pope to Ireland next summer have receded , as the Government's relations with the Vatican sharply deteriorated.
In his first comment on the Cloyne Report, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said it was "disgraceful" that the Vatican ignored child protection safeguards agreed by the Irish bishops.
Mr Kenny's criticism was a prelude to the Papal Nuncio being summoned to Iveagh House, where Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore demanded an explanation for Rome's "inappropriate" intervention in Irish affairs. "



Bridget Mary's Reflection
Kudos to the Irish head of state, Enda Kenny and the current Irish government for holding the Vatican accountable for its outrageous disregard of child protection policies that its own bishops accepted. It is time that governments across the world do likewise.

The Irish government should not allow the Vatican to hide behind diplomatic immunity, a flimsy excuse to get away with crimes against children. No church or religious group should be allowed to protect anyone who rapes, sodomizes or sexually abuses children by claiming canon law trumps civil law.

"Their focus on the Congregation of Clergy's dismissal of the Irish bishops' 1996 Groundwork Document as "a mere study document" at loggerheads with canon law has put the Vatican in an indefensible position."

The issue here is the Vatican's abuse of power and violation of the rights of children. It is outrageous that the Vatican did not even support its own bishops when they stepped up with such child protection policies. So much for a "pro-life" church that emphasizes fetal rights before birth, but fails to protect children and youth from sexual abuse by priests, covers up such abuse, and then blatenly downplays the seriousness of such crimes. The Vatican has lost its moral credibility. Jesus, Mary and all the saints would weep!

Yes, by all means, cancel the papal visit. It would be an exercise in pomp that Ireland can ill afford either financially or spiritually. Send a message to the Pope.
The protection of children, comes first, a papal visit at this time would be an exercise in hypocricy!

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
sofiabmm@aol.com

A Day in the Life of A Woman Priest: Roberta Meehan, ARCWP

Just thought I would share my ministerial experience of this past Thursday.

Every year our hospital has a memorial service and invites the families (and friends) of all who have died in hospital to attend. This year's service was held this past Thursday evening.

I did not write the liturgical script, but I was asked to be a part of it. Chaplain Jerrye (our head chaplain who did write the script), Chaplain Gaye, Chaplain Cheryl (our intern), and I were all included.

My role was to play "Amazing Grace" on the keyboard and to give the summary eulogy. I had not played a keyboard instrument since I left Alabama five years ago and I had never played one quite like that one! With only 20 minutes of practice time, I did not have time to figure out anything fancy. Everyone thought I did fine but I am certain any quasi-musician in the crowd probably noticed that I had trouble going from E flat to A flat. I guess after 5 years, ones fingers forget.

And for the eulogy, the Spirit definitely guided me! Jerrye had written a basic eulogy and told me to add, change, or expand as I saw fit. I carefully wrote in some notes and then rewrote the eulogy on a separate piece of paper and stapled it to my copy of the master program. When we went down to the chapel, I was holding the music book and my master program was marking the "Amazing Grace" page. We set up the keyboard. I tried it out for a few minutes. Then I looked for my notes. They had completely disappeared!! The music book was there -- but not my notes. I know they were in the music book when we walked into the chapel. I never saw them again.

The reason I know the Spirit was with me is that I had to ad lib the whole eulogy, trying to remember what Jerrye had written on the original and combining it with my memory of what I had added or modified.

I know that I was not speaking. I asked to Spirit to give me the words -- and she did!! Everyone was very pleased with the eulogy. I am convinced that I said something that someone there needed to hear. I do not know what and I do not know who. Or maybe it was something in my notes that the Spirit did not want me to say!

And my master program with notes never appeared!

Roberta Meehan, ARCWP

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

Liberal Catholics To Honor Activist Priest Bourgeois by Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/RCWP Bishop Joan Houk Presides at Liturgy

Left to right:
Bridget Mary Meehan, Roy Bourgeois, Bishop Dana Reynolds,
Janice Sevre-Duszynska, far right, Ree Hudson

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11199/1161221-454.stm

Monday, July 18, 2011 "There were no repercussions from the Vatican the many times that the Rev. Roy Bourgeois was arrested for trespassing at a U.S. Army facility where he protests human rights violations. But when he preached at an ordination Mass for a woman who claimed to become a Catholic priest, he was excommunicated...."To be very honest, I feel that, while I'm not in good standing with the Vatican, the Vatican is not God. I've never felt closer to God," he said.
On Sunday he will be in Pittsburgh to receive the 21st Century Prophet Award from Call to Action-Pennsylvania, an organization of liberal Catholics that urges women's ordination and other changes in the church.
While Father Bourgeois will not say Mass, Eucharist will be celebrated by Joan Houk of McCandless, a bishop in Roman Catholic Womenpriests, which sponsored the service that Father Bourgeois was excommunicated for participating ..."


Bridget Mary's Reflection:

Way to go, CTA. Mayknoll priest. Roy Bourgeois is a prophet leading the way to justice in the church. He is unafraid as he often says to disturb the hornet's nest!! That he did when he preached at Janice Sevre-Duszynska's ordination in Lexington, Kentucky in August 2008. It was an awesome moment to stand around that altar with him and know that history was once against being made.I knew that he had crossed the line in the church and expected some sort of punishment, but excommunication and being pushed out of his order! Whoa! None of the pedophiles who raped and sodomized innocent children suffered such a fate!


Like the prophets of old, he has been rejected by the religious leaders.

At the end of the day, we must walk in our truth. Thank you, Fr. Roy, for reminding us of our prophetic call to do justice and live justice in our church and world. This is a cause worth living and dying for!


How appropriate that Bishop Joan Houk presided at the liturgy. On July 31, 2006, 12 women were ordained on the Majestic boat on the three rivers in Pittsburgh. Joan helped to organize these historic ordinations and it is a joy to see her celebrating this milestone in our history.

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP

http://www.associationoformancatholicwomenpriests.org/

sofiabmm@aol.com

Mexican Women Demonstrate For Women's Ordination at the Vatican

http://planocreativo.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/la-sociedad-se-resiste-a-la-transformacion-pero-la-evolucion-hacia-niveles-de-consciencias-superiores-es-imparable-e-irreversible/

PAPESSE NEL VATICANO

Bridget Mary's Reflection

What a joy to see young women take up the cause of women priests and demonstrate at the Vatican!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

"Ireland Confronts the Vatican" New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/opinion/15fri3.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

..."A principal factor in the cover-up, the government study found, was a Vatican letter in 1997 warning Irish church leaders against full cooperation with law enforcement authorities. The papal representative wrote that the anti-abuse policies conflicted with church law and should be considered “merely a study document.”

"This turned criminal law on its head and, as the study noted, gave bishops “freedom to ignore” the tougher rules and protect abusers in the church. ...With the pedophilia scandal under investigation worldwide, Vatican officials point to new, tougher rules. But the rules, which do not require dioceses to report allegations of crimes to the police, are considered only advisory guidelines to bishops. The Dublin government has enacted a new law making it a crime for anyone, church officials included, to fail to report child abuse to civil authorities. The Vatican has a valuable lesson to learn in Ireland."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
I am proud of Ireland, the land of my birth, as civil leaders confront the Vatican for their central role in the cover-up of sexual abuse that has damaged thousands of innocent lives. The Vatican has acted like a crime family in this global cover-up. The Irish have put their "foot down" and reminded the hierarchy that they are subject to civil law like everyone else. Obviously, the Irish leaders do not fear the crack of a crozier anymore!

Here we are now a year after the Vatican put women priests in the same category as pedophiles! One wonders if church officials were trying to distract world attention from the reforms necessary to deal with the pedophile crisis such as mandatory reporting of sexual abuse to civil authorities.

The take home lesson is that, we in the international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement, are flourishing as more faith-filled women seek ordination to serve the people of God and renew our church. In this sense, you could say that the Vatican is the gift that keeps on giving!

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

Cincinnati Community and Bridget Mary Dialogue About ARCWP at Luncheon and Liturgy

Cincinnati Community shared lunch and conversed
about Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
at Ruth Steinert Foote's home.


Ruth Steinert Foote (left)
Bridget Mary (right) Ruth hosted gathering and
prepared a delicious luncheon for over 30 people.


Diane Dougherty, Bridget Mary Meehan
Janice Sevre-Duszynska, (left to right),
from Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
participated in conversation, luncheon and liturgy.
Janice is the presider at monthly inclusive
liturgies in Cincinnati where all are welcome.


Joyous liturgy with community gathered around altar
where we prayed Eucharistic Prayer.

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

What a joy to meet this dynamic inclusive community of kindred spirits who meet monthly in Cincinnati to worship together. The Holy Spirit is indeed a'moving here in this empowered gathering!

We shared a delicious meal provided by Ruth Steinert-Foote and members of this wonderful community. There was time for conversation about the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. In the evening, we gathered again to celebrate a joyous liturgy with a dialogue homily and once again converse about our movement for justice and equality in our church and world. I was deeply moved by the energy and enthusiasm of the group for a renewed priestly ministry in a community of equals as part of the justice mission of the church! No wonder Janice Sevre-Duszynska, ARCWP, delights in presiding at montly liturgies here!

For more information, contact Janice at rhythmsofthedance@msn.com

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
sofiabmm@aol.com

A Day in the Life of Two Deacons in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, July 10, 2011

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF TWO ARCWP DEACONS
JULY 10, 2011,

AGAPE GATHERING WITH THEOLOGY CLUB
It is the Sabbath and Miriam and I co-facilitate an adult faith sharing at our church on the Sunday’s readings. Today was extra special because we also had an Agape Gathering for our Theology Club this afternoon. Each week we have been gathering in New Smyrna Beach, about 50 minutes away, to share thoughts on various theological issues. The group has used the “Living the Questions” series and it has been wonderful. It is such a great group of inter-faith folks that we invited them to come to Palm Coast to share an Agape with us and to hear about the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. They have been curious about our venture and very supportive of us. At our third visit with them, they surprised us by taking up a collection so we can get a set of the “Living the Questions” series and start a Theology Club here in Palm Coast! We were amazed at their concern and generosity! We pray extra special for them. May Godde bless them ten-fold

There was a terrible thundering rain storm today and we wondered if anyone would come. It was a blinding rain! It was about 2:00 when we heard from a carload of four of our new found friends. The rain was slowing their arrival, but they were coming. We had a plan, but the Spirit changed it around due to the fact that folks were calling and arriving late. With our first four arrivals an instant decision was made to eat and share their appetizers and desserts first so that others would have time to arrive. Everyone was late, but we had ten women and men come from the Theology Club! As we were about to have our Agape another couple called and said they were coming but would be about 20 minutes later.

Again the Spirit shifted our agenda and we shared about the history of the Roman Catholic Women Priests. We showed the new video sharing the Vision and Mission of ARCWP. Click link to view http://youtu.be/IvKwNsViyk4

Then we showed a video where Bridget Mary Meehan told the story of RCWP from 2002 to 2008. Click link to view. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8317430528624416961#

I brought the history to the current date and shared how Miriam and I became involved and were ordained deacons in April. We had some great questions and discussion. Some were pleased we can Baptize and preside at weddings and funerals. They will keep us in mind as those occasions happen. We gave each of them a copy of the ARCWP brochure. Our last couple arrived on time to share about ARCWP and then we were ready to have our Agape Gathering.

Miriam presided and started the shared homily. I helped with homily and music. One of our members played the violin for our opening song, “All Are Welcome.” He played beautifully!! The song was especially appropriate to me and Miriam because it was the first time we had an Agape in our new home in our prayer room. We truly want all to know they are welcome in our home! While having our Agape the sun came out and it was a beautiful sign to us that Godde was in this place. There were twelve of us gathered around the table. How providential!

The group participated in sponstaneous prayers of petition and thanksgiving and prayed together over our bread and wine which we shared. As one said, it was a very moving and special time. I saw one person tear up as our Godde was ministering love to all of us. The Theology Club facilitator expressed thankfulness that what was happening on this Sabbath is what should happen every Sabbath. He was especially pleased to see that the Theology Club was now becoming a real community of friends. He thanked us for becoming a part of the club and for opening our home for the wonderful sharing of the day. He also felt that God would be growing our ministry. Another said she had friends who would like to meet us and share an Agape in her home in New Smyrna Beach. Everyone thanked us for our hospitality for which we are eager to share with others.

Miriam had us pair off and pray a blessing for each other before we closed with the song, “We Are Called.” Even then folks wanted to share, but it was late and they had another long drive to return home. At least they had a sunny drive: sunny in weather and warm in Spirit. They cannot imagine what a blessing they were to us. We continue to trust that our Godde is in control and is leading people into our lives and us into a special ministry of acceptance and love. Would that the Roman Catholic Church would genuinely accept all of us, worts and all. But we do what we can while waiting for RCC to hear Godde’s voice calling us to true unconditional love and acceptance. If we can do this with this microcosm, it is possible to do it in the universal church. Come Holy Spirit!

Wanda Russell & Miriam Picconi

Deacons: ARCWP, Palm Coast, Florida

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priestshttp://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/

"Absolute Monarchs" History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich- A Must Read:/Reviewed by NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/books/review/book-review-absolute-monarchs-a-history-of-the-papacy-by-john-julius-norwich.html?emc=eta1

"2000 years of popes-- sacred and profane"

By BILL KELLER

"A scholar or devout Roman Catholic would probably not have had so much fun, for example, with the tale of Pope Joan, the mid-ninth-century Englishwoman who, according to lore, disguised herself as a man, became pope and was caught out only when she gave birth. Although Norwich regards this as “one of the hoariest canards in papal history,” he cannot resist giving her a chapter of her own. It is a guilty pleasure, especially his deadpan pursuit of the story that the church, determined not to be fooled again, required subsequent papal candidates to sit on a chaise percée (pierced chair) and be groped from below by a junior cleric, who would shout to the multitude, “He has testicles!” Norwich tracks down just such a piece of furniture in the Vatican Museum, dutifully reports that it may have been an obstetric chair intended to symbolize Mother Church, but adds, “It cannot be gainsaid, on the other hand, that it is admirably designed for a diaconal grope; and it is only with considerable reluctance that one turns the idea aside.”

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

The history of the papacy is full of scandal. If a movie was released today on its sordid past, it would be triple X-rated! No wonder, the growing acceptance of women priests is shaking up the Vatican!

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org

Report from Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea- African National Meeting in Medellin, Columbia

Some contributions of the African National Meeting, Medellín 18-24/11

Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea

The Gospel of Christ is a policy choice to follow Christ is a political choice. I am not referring to any party, least of Christianity as such. Christianity has nothing of Christ, is a mere ideology, power struggle and lies "messianic" and assembly are continue to take advantage, "powerful" civil and religious of all time.

"The Afro-descendants is not a matter of skin, is a culture of African descent, is an option, a way of living, a way of being.Colombia is a country that indigenous African. "(1)

What it means to be African? Consider for a moment, what is said, what we say, what we believe or would have us believe, about being African?

Contributions of the African National Conference (Medellín June 18-24/11)

"- Afro Being a political choice.
- Implications for People and Community Reading the Bible in African perspective.
- You have to link the action of God in world history.
- Need to restore historical consciousness.
- Make the break maps.
In Gen 10:8, we find the first powerful man on earth.
-In Judah is a colony from the eighth century Ethiopian (African).
-In this colony are some Prophets (Zephaniah 1:1)
- Zephaniah is found by the 640 ac (peasant revolution time of Amun)
- A part of the community is to serve the monarchy and the community who oppose the monarchy in this part belongs Zephaniah-
(Mitochondrial Eve) "

To make a Reading Community People of the Bible is not enough to read and reflect, in a popular sector, believing that was a Reading Community People of the Bible. The LPCB, there are changes that are live and feel. It is opening the doors of Life and the Bible. LPCB changes us, transforms us, liberates us. This tool is not in the academies, or libraries, is the life of yesterday and today made present in our reality.

We can not do without contextualizing LPCB, text, without being involved in the story, as subjects = craftsmen. "The architects are more inclusive with the possibility of recognition and inclusion. It expresses the dynamics, the potential that human beings have for the historical building.

It's not just the one in the text but the text that builds community and read the text because it is the architect hermeneutical suspicion.. "(2) We must find the entries in the text, hold the keys (" We share different keys as people, places, symbols, relationships, values, feelings, dreams, ideas, memories, bodies, language, power, problems, attitudes, etc.. With them we can open to life and the lives of the Bible discover that hidden, lost, denied, etc. ") (3) with keys digging, crawling, wondering, guessing, observing, comparing, questioning, imagining, intuiting. The Word of God speaks and continues to speak to the simple.

This is done in community, group, working together, adults, women, men, youth, children / as the city field, a worker, professional, religious / a, each in his own mind can perceive, the contribution of the word, either from the Hermeneutics of gender or the African perspective, which is what we are all / os involved.


"The Afro has been invisible in the Bible readings own Western world. Many of these readings obscure the African presence because of superficial analysis that does not delve into the biblical texts intentionally. So, before we enter the text important to begin identifying the elements characteristic of the Hebrew canon compared to the canon of the Septuagint. "
Proceedings of the National African Encounter, Medellín June 18-24/11

Any Bible text can work in our case, we have deepened the text of Nehemiah Chapter 5 and the Book of Ruth. Here, some comments and betting:

Economic:
What led the people of Nehemiah to the economic crisis?
How long will last this situation?
What are the people to react?

Social:
Why are women in charge?
Why does the text mention the presence of women in the protest?

Politics:
What motivates Nehemiah to deceive the people?
What interests defends Nehemiah?

Theological
How part of who God is?
What is the God of Nehemiah?
What is the God of the people?
In which religion influences for operators restored land and cancel the debts?
Why are women who can be rescued by others?
Why women enslaved man worth less than the enslaved?

Values ​​of African Communities: Among the highlights:

Hospitality
Joy
Fortaleza,
Courage
Dignity
Resistance
Talent
love of life, solidarity,
Delivery
Release
Resilience
Welcome,
Honesty, perseverance,
Perseverance
commitment
love,
Spirituality
Courage
Humility
Responsibility


If there is interest in learning and deepen this methodology for pastoral work in grassroots communities in the parish or House / Church, please contact:
CEDEBI: Carrera 41 Nro.13-41
Phone: 2323901 Teusaquillo Barrio,
Bogota-Colombia
NOTES:

1) Contribution of Emigdio P. Cuesta (afro) at the National Afro Medellín June 18-24/11
2) Contributions of Afro-Medellin National Meeting in June 18-24/11
3) Contributions of the Community Method of Reading the Bible People. Author: Anibal Canaveral, biblical scholar, member of CEDEBI (Collective Ecumenical Bible scholar).

Roman Catholic Women Priest Reports: Meeting of Ecumenical Leaders and Scholars in Medellin

Report from Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea, ARCWP:

Convened by the CEDEBI (Collective Ecumenical Biblical scholars) 30 people consisting of leaders of different cities from 18 to 24 Junio/11 met in the city of Medellin, a national ecumenical meeting to study , reflect and pray the Word using the Methodology "Community Reading the Bible People," by African hermeneutic perspective. We reflected on Nehemiah 5 and the book of Ruth.

Every morning before entering the working groups, enjoyed the ecumenical prayer in our different rites and liturgies, drawing the support of the decree Ad Gentes, Vatican II and "The Pastoral Mission to Latin America" ​​Paper Melgar CELAM (1968)

Olga is the President and Legal Representant of CEBEDI.

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests affirm that justice for the poor and oppressed is constitutive to the Gospel and an important part of the social justice teaching of Vatican II.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org

A Day in the Life of a Woman Priest in Latin America- "Pastoral en Soacha"

"Pastoral en Soacha"

Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea, a Roman Catholic Women Priest, shares her story of a "A Day in the Life of a Woman Priest"

David and Alexandra accompanied me to make visits to families who opened their homes and hearts to us. We prayed for healing and blessing on all those we visited. The Moms were delighted that their children particpated. David and Alexandra enjoyed our lunch together, especially the ice cream. I was blessed by the hospitality and warmth of the families we met.

Bridget Mary's Reflection:

Sounds to me like Jesus was truly present in your visits, dear Olga, courageous woman priest, as you serve your beloved community in Latin America. You are an inspiration to us all!

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org