Pope Accepts Resignation of a Bishop in Germany/New York Times Article

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/europe/09pope.html
May 8, 2010
Pope Accepts Resignation of a Bishop in Germany
By RACHEL DONADIO
EXCERPTS:

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday accepted the resignation of a German bishop under investigation for sexual abuse, the latest high-profile resignation since a sexual abuse crisis erupted in the Roman Catholic Church.

Through a lawyer, Bishop Mixa, 69, denied the accusations, which date to his time as bishop in the Bavarian town of Eichstätt from 1996 to 2005, The Augsburger Allgemeine said.

"How to Save Your Soul Without Religion"/New Blog by Sister Karol Jackowski, sfcc

http://wholelivingdaily.wholeliving.com/2010/05/how-to-save-your-soul-without-religion.html

How to Save Your Soul Without Religion
Posted by Sister Karol Jackowski
" Having spent half my life as a nun working at a Catholic College for women – Saint Mary’s in Notre Dame, Indiana – it wasn’t until I moved to New York City in 1990 and became a writer that I discovered so many people whose souls were nourished and saved without any religion at all."
Losing My Religion
"Last month, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life released a report entitled “Religion Among the Millenials” which found that one in four 18- to 29-year-olds are unaffiliated with a religion, but also appear to be more spiritually conscious and driven than older generations."
If you want to find out more, and you are in for a treat if you do:Visit her website at KarolJackowski.com.
http://www.karoljackowski.com/JackowskiSiteIndex.html

Sister Karol Jackowski, a Sister for Christian Community is one funny nun! I recommend her new book: Ten Fun Things to Do Before You Die! She is helping us lighten up and enjoy our spiritual lives as the beloved in whom the Divine dwells, and who accompanies us everywhere.
The challenge for those of us who are working for renewal in Catholicism is to be the message that we proclaim. Instead of a focus on rules and regulations, we in the renewal movements like Roman Catholic Womenpriests are offering a new face of Catholicism that is inclusive, welcoming and joy-filled.
Karol, my sister, you go, girl!
Your sister,
Bridget Mary Meehan sfcc

Austria Cardinal Schonborn Attacks Sodano Urges Reform in Catholic Church

Schönborn attacks Sodano and urges reform
Christa Pongratz-Lippitt8 May 2010

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/14678

"The head of the Austrian Church has launched an attack of one of the most senior cardinals in the Vatican, saying that Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, “deeply wronged” the victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy when he dismissed media reports of the scandal. In a meeting with editors of the main Austrian daily newspapers last week, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, also said the Roman Curia was “urgently in need of reform”, and that lasting gay relationships deserved respect. He reiterated his view that the Church needs to reconsider its position on re-married divorcees."....

Is this the beginning of the institutional church dealing with the issue of sexual abuse and the need for reform in a more open, realistic way? I wonder how Cardinal Schonborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, feels about women priests! It is interesting to me that one of our first womenpriests is from Austria and lives in Austria, Roman Catholic Woman bishop Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger, who has celebrated funerals and weddings with male Catholic priests in Catholic Churches in Austria with the knowlege of diocesan officials. Perhaps, let us hope this is a crack in the stained glass ceiling in the Roman Catholic Church!
Bridget Mary Meehan
sofiabmm@aol.com

Dateline TV Interview with Fr. Tom Doyle

http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/transcript/id/600432/n/Interview-with-Father-Tom-Doyle

GEORGE NEGUS:"It sounds like you're saying if the Church has a close look at itself in the way you're suggesting it has to almost pull the whole institution apart and start all over again."

"FATHER TOM DOYLE: Well, I think there are a lot of things that they should take a close look at - celibacy being one of them. They're deathly afraid to look at the women priests issue because they claim that Jesus Christ only ordained men. Well, that's a long short there - to presume that Christ had an ordination ceremony at the Last Supper, you know, that's a bit of a stretch..."

FATHER TOM DOYLE: "It's unfortunate that it takes this type of destruction to move it towards change, but that's what has to happen, I believe. I'm not one anymore to mince words and be diplomatic and fart around with this. I mean, this is it. I've spent 25 years talking to people who've been ruined because of this stuff, and you know, the whole damn thing, they ought to sell the Vatican to the Mormons or to Disney or something and go out and start all over again."


Roman Catholic Womenpriests are offering the church a new model of priestly ministry that is not hierarchical. We have become the change that the church needs to be.
Check us out. www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com

Holy Week with Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community Fort Myers, Florida-Roman Catholic Woman Priest Judy Lee

Holy Week calls forth the faithful of Good Shepherd Community in Fort Myers, Florida as it does throughout the world. With tremendous love and passion our people, poor, once homeless, and some still homeless along with persons who support us from various local Catholic parishes, and other Christian denominations, including Lamb of God Lutheran-Episcopal Church, walk together from Palm Sunday through Easter.

These pictures show us blessing the palms outside on Palm Sunday before processing into the House Church where we worship on one side and where up to five homeless individuals live as they make the transition from homelessness on the other side.
It shows our people outside in the local park walking the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. We pray in front of the Hospital where we lost six of our homeless people this year. On the Cross are petitions written by our people and nailed to the Cross with Jesus. With the fifteenth Station we all rise again with Jesus and say "We rise, we rise!" Then we proceed to the Church for our Good Friday worship.
On Easter this year we also had three baptisms-of a Grandmother and two of her grand daughters. So our Easter celebration was doubly full of joy this year!

Each week in the Easter Octave we say: Jesus is risen and I rise. We are filled with new life as we anticipate the refreshment of the Holy Spirit and pray that we may be a serving church.
Pastor Judy Lee, RCWP

"Church Leaders Are Spinning Their Wheels"/Article by Sr. Maureen Paul Turlish/National Catholic Reporter

Church leaders are spinning their wheels
by Maureen Paul Turlish on May. 04, 2010 -NCR Online
http://ncronline.org/blogs/examining-crisis/church-leaders-are-spinning-their-wheels
The institutional Roman Catholic church can attack every newspaper in every country in the world but that will not change the fact that as an institution it has participated in an extremely well documented, egregious pattern of enabling and covering up for the sexual abuse of thousands of innocent children the world over during almost an entire century.
"What are the systemic and endemic flaws in church structure and governance that gave rise to the continuing crisis of sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic church? ...

..."And is it really necessary for bishops to call down God's wrath on another newspaper when what they should be doing is "besieging" their fellow hierarchs to initiate the reform and renewal that is so necessary?"

"Have they learned so little in eight years?"

[Maureen Paul Turlish, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, is a victims' advocate and writes from New Castle, Del.]

Vatican Launches Investigatons Against Nuns/ Modern Day Inquisition/ Nuns Should Not Cooperate in their own Oppression

What a waste of money and a travesty of justice? Instead of focusing on structural reforms that will prevent sex abuse in the future, including women priests and married priests, the Vatican is launching a modern day inquisition of the nuns, one of the most dedicated workforces in history. Why? One of the top reasons is women's ordination. We now have women priests and the Vatican is afraid that they will join us in our journey toward justice and equality for women in ministry in the church. I sure hope so.
Roman Catholic Womenpriests will ordain qualified candidates, including nuns of course, who are committed to a renewed priestly ministry in an inclusive church!
Sisters, as I have said before, it is time to affirm freedom of conscience , rid yourselves of the alabatross of institutional oppression, and continue your work for justice, peace and equality around the world. Do not coooperate in your own oppression. Witness prophetic obedience to Gospel equality and lead the way in union with the people of God toward a renewed, reformed, liberated Catholic Church! You have the support of millions of Catholics! Perhaps, you may want to consider non-canonical status like my religious community, Sisters for Christian Community.
Bridget Mary Meehan
sofiabmm@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 4, 2010
Media Contact:Jim FitzGerald, Executive Director, O: 773.404.0004 x262
Nicole Sotelo, Communications Director, O: 773.404.0004 x285

As World Examines Vatican on Sexual Abuse; Vatican Quietly Launches Investigations Against Nuns While the world's attention focuses on the Vatican this month in the continuing revelations of sexual abuse cover-up, the Vatican also quietly launched its on-site investigations of women religious in the United States.As part of a multi-year investigation that began in 2009, these on-site visitations are the third of a four-phase investigation into the lives of approximately 53,000 women religious. Teams of visitors chosen by Mother Clare Millea, the Vatican-appointed investigator, will visit selected congregations during the weeks of April 11th to May 30th and again from September 12th to December 12th. "Where are the church's priorities?" asked Jim FitzGerald, Executive Director of Call To Action, the nation's largest progressive Catholic justice organization. "Instead of focusing on how they can prevent additional sexual abuse of vulnerable children, the Vatican is spending time and money on an investigation into women's religious communities and ministries that have often been at the forefront of caring for children in schools, hospitals, food kitchens and parish communities.""The Vatican has estimated that their investigation will cost $1.1 million dollars. It is unconscionable that a church that prides itself on helping the poor would spend over a million dollars investigating its own people due to a small group of conservative male leaders who do not like the fact that women religious do not always fall under their control. It is an egregious example of the sexism that still pervades our religious structures.""Our prayers remain with the women religious during this time of trial," said FitzGerald. "We urge the Vatican to focus on real priorities now: caring for the survivors of sexual abuse and creating new structures of accountable leadership so that our churches may become safe places, true sanctuaries, for children and families everywhere.

"For more information, see: Vatican asks U.S. bishops to fund $1.1 million sisters study http://ncronline.org/news/women/vatican-asks-us-bishops-fund-11-million-sisters-study
Apostolic Visitator details on-site visit guidelineshttp://ncronline.org/news/women/apostolic-visitator-details-site-visit-guidelines
Official Apostolic Visitation Websitehttp://www.apostolicvisitation.org/en/index.html###
Call To Action (CTA) is a Catholic movement working for equality and justice in the Church and society. An independent national organization of over 25,000 people and 53 local chapters, CTA believes that the Spirit of God is at work in the whole church, not just its appointed leaders. Visit our website at www.cta-usa.org.

Vatican Statement on Apostolic Visitation of Legionaries of Christ

Vatican Statement on Apostolic Visitation of Legionaries of Christ
"....One of the sessions took place in the presence of the Holy Father, to whom the Visitors presented a summary of their report, which had been previously submitted. During the visitation over 1,000 Legionnaires were met in person and hundreds of written documents were examined. The Visitors have visited almost all the religious houses and many of the works of the apostolate directed by the Congregation. 2. The Apostolic Visitation was able to ascertain that the behaviour of Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado has caused serious consequences in the life and structure of the Legion, so much so, to require a journey of profound re-evaluation. The serious and objectively immoral behaviour of Fr. Maciel, supported by incontrovertible evidence, at times constitutes real crimes, and manifests a life devoid of scruples and of genuine religious feeling. The large majority of Legionaries were unaware of that life, particularly because of the system of relations created by Fr. Maciel, who had skilfully managed to build up an alibi, to gain the trust, confidence and surrounding silence and strengthen his role as a charismatic founder. Not infrequently the lamentable disgracing and expulsion of those who doubted his upright conduct, and the misconception of not wanting to harm the good that the Legion was doing, had created around him a defence mechanism which made him untouchable for a long time , thus rendering knowledge of his real life difficult. 3. The sincere zeal of the majority of the Legionaries - which also emerged from the Visitation of the congregation houses and their many works, and which is appreciated by many - led many in the past to believe that the charges, which gradually became more insistent and widespread, could only be slander. Therefore the discovery and knowledge of the truth about the founder resulted in surprise, dismay and deep sorrow among members of the Legion, as clearly evidenced by the Visitors.4. From the results of the Apostolic Visitation it has emerged clearly, among other elements: a) the need to redefine the charism of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, preserving the core truth, that of "Militia Christi", which characterizes the apostolic and missionary action of the Church and which is not identifiable with efficacy at any cost; b) the need to review the exercise of authority, which must be conjoined to the truth, in respect of conscience and to develop in light of the Gospel as an authentic ecclesial service; c) the need to preserve young people's enthusiasm of faith, the missionary zeal, the apostolic dynamism, through appropriate formation. Indeed, disappointment about the founder could call into question the core of this vocation and charism that belongs and is specific to the Legionaries of Christ. 5. The Holy Father would like to assure all Legionnaires and members of the "Regnum Christi" Movement that they will not be left alone: the Church has a strong desire to accompany them and help them in the path of purification that awaits them. It will also mean sincere confrontation with all those who, inside and outside the Legion, were victims of sexual abuse and of the power system devised by the founder. It is to them, at this time, that the thoughts and prayers of the Holy Father go, along with his gratitude to the many who, even in the midst of great hardships, had the courage and perseverance to demand the truth. 6. The Holy Father, in thanking the Visitors for the delicate work which they competently carried out with generosity and deep pastoral sensitivity, assured them that he will soon indicate the modalities of this process of accompaniment, starting with the appointment of a Delegate and a Study Commission on the Constitution. The Holy Father will send a Visitor to the Regnum Christi Movement, in response to insistent requests from consecrated members thereof. 7. Finally, to all Legionaries of Christ, their families, committed lay people in the Regnum Christi movement, the Holy Father renewes his encouragement during this difficult time for the Congregation and each one of them. He urges them not to lose sight that their vocation, which originated from Christ’s call and is animated by the ideal to witness his love to the world, is a true gift from God, a treasure for the Church, the indestructible foundation on which to build their personal future and that of the Legion. "

"Who Can Mock this Church?" by Nicholas D. Kristof/ Catholics Need to Reform Structures / Sex Abuse Crisis/Womenpriests

Op-Ed Columnist
Who Can Mock This Church?
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Published: May 1, 2010 - NY TIMES
JUBA, Sudan
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/opinion/02kristof.html?src=me
Maybe the Catholic Church should be turned upside down.
"Jesus wasn’t known for pontificating from palaces, covering up scandals, or issuing Paleolithic edicts on social issues. Does anyone think he would have protected clergymen who raped children?"
"Yet if the top of the church has strayed from its roots, much of its base is still deeply inspiring.In the city of Juba, I met Cathy Arata, a nun from New Jersey who spent years working with battered women in Appalachia. Then she moved to El Salvador during the brutal civil war there, putting her life on the line to protect peasants..."



Yes, the people, including nuns like Sr. Cathy, are the face of Jesus in our midst! We are blessed the lived example of so many saints who have gone before us and who are in our midst.

That being said, this does not mean that ordinary Catholics can sit back and accept the status quo of inequality, injustice, and criminal behavior that is at the heart of our church's institutional meltdown! We are the church, all of us, not just the pope and the bishops. Catholics are responsible to do all we can to hold our leaders, including the pope and hierarchy accountable, for this global devastating sexual abuse crisis. We must take on the tough task of structural reform immediately. We need a renewed priestly ministry that includes women and men serving the church in a community of equals, that is fully accountable, open, inclusive, and just. Bridget Mary Meehan

Catholic Sex Abuse Scandal Sharpens Rift Over what a Priest Should Be/Vatican Model Outdated/ Needed a Church of Equals /Time for Womenpriests

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2010/0502/Catholic-sexual-abuse-scandal-sharpens-church-rift-over-what-a-priest-should-be

Catholic sexual abuse scandal sharpens church rift over what a priest should be
Progressive Catholics and theologians in the US and Europe say the Vatican's model of a priest is outdated. The global sexual abuse scandal has sharpened the church's inner struggle over how to reform that model.

By Robert Marquand, Staff writer / May 2, 2010 -
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
Munich, Germany; and Paris
"One member of the Benedictine order who is close to the university but was not authorized to speak to the media described the directives, which came out of Cardinal Ratzinger’s office, as part of a “purification of the church concept in which women should not be in the classes. A lot of us feel this creates instead a fortress church, a reclusive model…priests leave school and immediately go into communities and work with married people, and women, but have had little contact with either group in their priestly formation. This all originated in the Vatican.” ...
"At the same time, a shortage in priests is looming. "
“The problem for us isn’t the future, the problem is now,” says a French priest in the 16th district of Paris."
"Numbers are falling: Some 700 foreign priests, mostly from Africa, work in French parishes. "
"In Germany, one finds Polish, Indian, and African men taking up priestly slack. A senior priest in Bavaria says his graduating seminary class in 1982 had 90 priests; this year’s class has fewer than 10... "

The Vatican needs to stop isolating its priests from healthy relationships with women. Women are not the problem, clericalism and discrimination against women are playing a destructive role in the Catholic Church today. There is no vocation shortage in the Catholic Church if women and married priests were officially sanctoned. In the 21st century, the Catholic Church needs to practice the equality that Jesus modeled to embrace all women and men who are called and gifted for sacramental service. We need a vibrant priestly ministry that is inclusive, Christ-centered and community oriented, where Jesus' example of a discipleship of equals is the ideal. The Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement offers the church a renewed model of priestly ministry in partnership with the people with whom we serve in grassroots communities now. There is no room in the Catholc Church for sexism and discrimination against women. the Church needs women now more then ever to step to heal and transform Catholicism. Bridget Mary Meehan

Roman Catholic Womenpriests ordains 2 priests, 3 deacons at Spiritus Christi in Rochester, New York on May 1, 2010

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201005020500/NEWS01/5020340

Roman Catholic Womenpriests ordains 2 priests, 3 deacons at Spiritus Christi
James Goodman • Staff writer • May 2, 2010

"Chava Redonnet was ordained a priest in Rochester on Saturday in what she considers to be an act of ecclesiastical disobedience.
Although the Roman Catholic Church prohibits the ordination of women as priests, deacons and bishops, Redonnet considers herself to be Catholic and hopes to move the church in a more inclusive direction.

"About 350 people attended the ordination at Spiritus Christi Church in Rochester.
Bishop Andrea Johnson of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests, an international group established in 2002, conducted the ordinations of Redonnet and Theresa Novak Chabot of Manchester, N.H.
Three women were also ordained as deacons during Saturday's service: Patricia LaRosa of Rochester, Caryl Conroy Johnson of Philadelphia and Ann Penick of La Plata, Md.
"The risks are significant. But the call is clear," said Johnson.
She went on to say: "God's work is the work of justice and peace for all."

Bring Pope to Justice/Newsweek Article

Unfortunately, the Vatican has acted as if it is above the law in providing a safe haven for bishops like Cardinal Law. This article raises major issues for the pope and the current way the Vatican operates. No matter what happens in the legal sphere, the court of public opinion , including Catholics worlwide, are holding the pope, the Vatican, and their bishops accountable.
The institutional church must abandon the sense of entitlement that gives special honors and priviledges to the hierarchy. This is what has led it to its current demise: protecting itself as the expense of the thousands of victims who were sexually abused. Catholics must step up now and take action to reform the church in grassroots communities, where decision-making is in the hands of the people and priests, not just the hierarchy, and where women priests, married priests as well as celibate priests serve in a renewed priestly ministry. It is time!
Bridget Mary Meehan

Bring Pope to Justice
http://www.newsweek.com/id/236934
"Detain or subpoena the pope for questioning in the child-rape scandal? You must be joking! All right then, try the only alternative formulation: declare the pope to be above and beyond all local and international laws, and immune when it comes to his personal and institutional responsibility for sheltering criminals. The joke there would be on us."

..."This point must have hung in the air a bit, and perhaps lodged in Cardinal Law's own mind, because in December of that year he left Boston just hours before state troopers arrived with a subpoena seeking his grand-jury testimony. Where did he go? To Rome, where he later voted in the election of Pope Benedict XVI and now presides over the beautiful church of Santa Maria Maggiore, as well as several Vatican subcommittees.".....

Cardinal Levada Failed to Mention that He Did Nothing to restrict a Priest Abuser after Learning that Priest had Molested a 13 year old Boy

"Cardinal Levada in his interview failed to mention that he himself (according to an Associated Press report published today) "did nothing to restrict a California priest after learning in 1995 that the priest had molested a 13 year old boy a decade earlier" . Levada admitted this in a 2005 deposition. The priest was finally removed from ministry in 2002 when the USCCB ennacted the zero-tolerance policy. A Vatican lawyer defended Levada's inaction as being appropriate "under the standards of the time" before 2002. "
Bill Schuch
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/religion/jan-june10/levadafull_04-27.html

Women Find A Way, a book about the Movement and Stories of Roman Catholic Womenpriests, Available in English and Now Published in German

First Ordination in the U.S.
in Pittsburgh, July 31, 2006
http://www.virtualbookworm.com/bookstore/product/women_find_a_way.htmll
Women Find A Way, a book about Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement features stores about some of the early pioneering women who are transforming the Catholic Church in a renewed priestly ministry. These women were ordained in apostolic succession. Women Find a Way is available on amazon.com and other online retailers. See link.
Now Women Find a Way is published in German. See below.

Elsie Hainz McGrath, Bridget Mary Meehan, Ida Raming (Hg.)

Elsie Hainz McGrath, Bridget Mary Meehan, Ida Raming (Hg.)

Frauen finden einen Weg:
Die internationale Bewegung
Roemisch-Katholische Priesterinnen

Was ist aus der ersten oeffentlichen Ordination von sieben Frauen zu roemisch-katholischen Priesterinnen im Jahre 2002 geworden?
In diesem Buch erfahren Sie es! Aus einem kleinen Anfang hat sich inzwischen eine staendig wachsende internationale Bewegung entwickelt: Priesterinnen, die dem Volk Gottes in vielfaeltiger Weise dienen, die Hauskirchen oder groessere Gemeinden betreuen, als Seelsorgerinnen in Krankenhaeusern und in der Obdachlosenarbeit taetig sind. Bischoefinnen begleiten und ordinieren weitere Frauen zu Diakoninnen und Priesterinnen.
So entstehen Christuszentrierte, inklusive Gemeinden, und so wird Kirche von innen heraus mit dem Segen der goettlichen Geistkraft erneuert.

(website: www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org)

Die Herausgeberinnen:
Bridget Mary Meehan, Schwester der Christian Community, mit einem Doktorgrad in pastoralem Dienst;
Elsie Hainz McGrath, Priesterin der Gemeinde Therese of Divine Peace – Inclusive Community in St. Louis;
Ida Raming, Dr. theol., Zahlreiche Publikationen, besonders zur Thematik: Stellung und Wertung der Frau in der roemisch-katholischen Kirche.

(Theologische Orientierungen, Bd. 13, 216 S., 19,90 Euro, ISBN 3-643-10240-9)

Lit Verlag: Berlin Muenster Wien Zuerich London, 2009

Abuse Crisis Is Actually a Hierarchy Crisis/ Roman Catholic Womenpriests Ordain Two Womenpriests in Canada in April 2010

I agree with the NCR Editorial. This crisis is a hierarchy crisis, and a disaster for the Catholic Church. The Vatican and bishops are accountable and should be held responsible. This is a tragedy that belongs at the door of Pope Benedict. What can Catholics do? Stop paying and obeying. Demand change from the all-boys clerical club. cut off all funds until meaningful structural reforms are adapted such as decision-making authority in the hands of a leadership that is inclusive of women and men, non-ordained and ordained--- ordinary Catholics whose first loyalty is to the Gospel of Jesus. Catholics should also call forth from their communities spiritual leaders including married priests, women priests and other ecclesial leaders to preside at sacramental celebrations in a priest-short, sacramental church. Roman Catholic Womenpriests serve in grassroots communities in the U.S. Canada, and Europe, and are ordaining qualified candidates who are committed to a renewed priestly ministry. See photo of recent ordination in Canada of two new womenpriests.

Bridget Mary Meehan

Abuse crisis is actually a hierarchy crisis
by An NCR Editorial on Apr. 30, 2010

http://ncronline.org/blogs/examining-crisis/abuse-crisis-actually-hierarchy-crisis

"...The sex abuse crisis is actually a hierarchy crisis...The overwhelming evidence shows that from parish priest to pope, those charged with protecting the community, on hearing that children were being sexually abused, acted first to protect the institutional church. "
..."Who among the bishops would stand in a pulpit and admonish a congregation to follow their example in dealing with serious sin: deny, attack the accuser, hide the crime, pay for silence if discovered, and admit “mistakes were made” only when public pressure makes disclosure inevitable?"
..." It is beyond dispute now, as reporting of the crisis spreads worldwide, that the bishops used the secrecy of their privileged culture, the trust that those within the church and even the wider society conferred on them, as well as the labyrinthine and hidden protocols of their culture to shuffle offending priests and to avoid scrutiny by civil authorities. "
"The bishops’ strategy grew out of a model of governance owing more to the concept of royalty and to court behavior than to the demands of the Gospel. The royal model admits no wrong, requires absolute loyalty and is accountable to no one. Compassion has little place in the prince’s world."
Fr. Donald Cozzens, who has written extensively about the clergy culture and its shadow sides, commented, “We are witnessing the collapse of the Roman Catholic empire -- not, I hope, of the Roman Catholic church. "

In Abuse Crisis, a Church is Pitted Against Society and Itself/New York Times

In Abuse Crisis, a Church Is Pitted Against Society and Itself
By RACHEL DONADIO
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/world/europe/30pope.html?src=mv
Published: April 29, 2010
VATICAN CITY — "As the sexual abuse crisis continues to unfold in the Roman Catholic Church, with more victims coming forward worldwide and three bishops resigning last week alone, it is clear the issue is more than a passing storm or a problem of papal communications. "
"Instead, the church is undergoing nothing less than an epochal shift: It pits those who hold fast to a more traditional idea of protecting bishops and priests above all against those who call for more openness and accountability. The battle lines are drawn between the church and society at large, which clearly clamors for accountability, and also inside the church itself.
Uncomfortably, the crisis also pits the moral legacies of two popes against each other: the towering and modernizing John Paul II, who nonetheless did little about sexual abuse; and his successor, Benedict XVI, who in recent years, at least, has taken the issue of pedophile priests more seriously."

"He has had little choice, given the depth of the scandal and the anger it has unleashed. But when supporters defend Benedict, they are implicitly condemning John Paul and how an entire generation of bishops and the Vatican hierarchy acted in response to criminal behavior."

Michael Rigdon and Bridget Mary Meehan Discuss Renewed Model of Priestly Ministry on Sarasota TV Program

Priest Partners, Michael Rigdon and Bridget Mary Meehan discuss a renewed model of priestly ministry in union with the people in the community as a important step to transform the hierarchical structure of the Roman Catholic Church. Michael Rigdon, Lee Breyer, and Bridget Mary, are priest partners who serve with Leadership Circle of Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community who meets for liturgy on Sat. evenings at 6pm at St. Andrew UCC Church
Posted by Bridget Mary at 4:32 PM

Legionaries Break Silence on Founder's Sex Abuse

Legionaries break silence on founder's sex abuse
By NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press Writer
Legionaries break silence on founder's sex abuse
EXCERPTS:

The No. 2 official in the conservative Legionaries of Christ order has broken his silence on revelations that the group's founder had fathered children and abused seminarians...

The revelations of Maciel's double life raised many questions that the Legion still hasn't publicly answered, including whether any current leaders covered up Maciel's misdeeds and whether any donations were used to facilitate the sexual misconduct or pay its victims.

"The case against Maciel is being closely watched as the Vatican struggles to show that it is serious about rooting out clerical sex abuse and being more transparent. The Maciel case has long been seen as emblematic of Vatican inaction on abuse complaints, since sex abuse victims had tried in the 1990s to bring a canonical trial against Maciel but were shut down by his supporters at the Vatican."

"Only in March of this year did the Legionaries acknowledge that Maciel had also sexually abused seminarians and that two men are claiming to be his sons. One of those men has asked the Legionaries for $26 million and says Maciel had promised him and his two brothers a trust fund when he died as financial compensation for the alleged sexual abuse they endured at Maciel's hands."

"Secret Sex in the Celibate System" by Richard Sipe/National Catholic Reporter

Secret sex in the celibate system
by A.W. Richard Sipe on Apr. 28, 2010 - NCR Online
Viewpoint

ncronline.org/blogs/examining-crisis/secret-sex-celibate-system

..."Roman Catholic clerical culture favors doctrinal rigidity, conformity, obedience, submission and psychosexual immaturity, mistaken for innocence, in its candidates. These are the personality elements that lead to advancement and power in the clerical system. Single men are more easily controlled if their sexuality is secret. Double lives on all levels of clerical life are tolerated if they do not cause scandal or raise legal problems. Sexual activity between bishops and priests and adult partners is well known within clerical circles. The secret system forms a comfortable refuge for unresolved gay conflicts. There is a new emerging awareness of the systemic nature of sexual/celibate behavior within the Roman Catholic ministry that is increasingly destabilizing to the church.

"Dire consequences will follow the exposure of this sexual system embedded in a secret celibate culture. Authorities who are or have been sexually active, although not with minors, are hard put to publicly correct clerics who are abusing minors. The need for secrecy, the cover-up, extends beyond defending criminal activity of a sex abuser. The power and control that holds the Roman Catholic church together depends on preservation of the celibate myth. The Vatican and Pope John Paul II declared its inviolability."....

Sweden's Sole Bishop Ready to Resign/Sex Abuse Scandal in Catholic Church

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=6130

Less than two weeks after he urged victims of clerical abuse to come forward so that “the guilty priests-- if they are still alive-- can receive just punishment for the crimes they have committed,” Sweden’s sole bishop says he is ready to resign amid claims that he failed in 2003 to address an abuse allegation adequately. A woman alleges that after she informed the bishop she had been abused by a priest who was having an affair with her mother, she was referred to a therapist.

“As a bishop I take full responsibility for that and am prepared to face the consequences,” said Bishop Anders Arborelius. “If it is due to me that it was not investigated, I am ready to face the consequences and ask the Pope to relieve me from my work as a bishop.”

Embattled German Bishops Submits Resignation

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100422-26707.html

"Following weeks of claims of child beatings at the Schrobenhausen children’s home – and further suggestions he may have misused Church funds – Bishop Mixa, 68, sent a resignation letter to the Vatican to avoid further damage to the Church’s reputation, Mixa's office confirmed Thursday morning.

“I am taking this step in the unshakeable faith in God’s mercy and confidently hope that the Father in heaven will lead the Church of Augsburg to a good future,” he wrote, according to daily Augsburger Allgemeine.

His resignation would apply to his positions as Bishop of Augsburg and Catholic Military Bishop for the German Bundeswehr."...

At Spiritus Leadership Begins With Love

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100427/NEWS0201/4270319/1002/NE

"Especially in a church, Callan says, "the key thing in leadership is to create an atmosphere of love. You have to remember people's birthdays and anniversaries," and learn to "bring a little sunshine." Callan says Ramerman is much better than he at confronting problems ("I prefer to avoid confrontation," he says). "People will go to town if they feel loved," he says, "and that's my main talent." Ramerman says she has learned not to put off dealing with problems, especially personnel problems that can affect other staff and parishioners. But, she says, making sure that people feel loved "is the most transformative thing we can do."...

...The church has many ministries and each one requires many volunteers — and that's essential, Ramerman says, to encouraging people to find compassionate outlets for their many talents. The Spiritus leadership style encourages leaders to step forward and lead. Neither Ramerman nor Callan is reluctant to ask people to make a big commitment. Callan told of the church's efforts to renovate a home for men coming out of prison. "We asked people for $5,000 — about what it would cost for each room," and people wrote checks...

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Congratulations to Mary Ramerman, Jim Callan and the Spiritus Christi community. You are an image of Christ's love in our world and a model of a renewed Catholic parish in action! You are an inspiration to all that change is possible, and that Catholics will embrace a vibrant model of service in a loving community.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP

"All About Inclusivity" Article on Roman Catholic Womenpriests 2010 Ordination at Centennial United Church in Victoria, BC

"All about Inclusivity"
Article Link:
http://www.newcatholictimes.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&aid=1726&ptid=1
Site Name: New Catholic Times
Site URL: http://www.newcatholictimes.com/
All about Inclusivity
Author: Phil Little
Posted by: Editor on April 26, 2010 1:00:00 AM
(Reprinted with permission of New Catholic Tmes)

She was followed by Bishop Patricia Fresen who spoke on the unusual ordination text from John citing the encounter between Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery. Bishop Patricia highlighted that Jesus was an orthodox Jew who took his religion seriously but he did not hesitate to critique the law or even break the law when it was applied unjustly or for evil purposes. Jesus did not come to condemn but to offer new life.

Years ago in a previous lifetime I participated in a Peruvian priest's movement. We gathered in our local groups to share news, to seek an analysis of current political and religious situations, and to deepen our commitment to Vatican II and the Latin American experiences of Medellin and Puebla. Through this movement I was provided with an essential support that educated and nourished me, helping to situate my own position as a "foreign" gringo priest working among the very poorest. This movement sort of disappeared in the 1980's, but was not forced out by authorities in the church or the state who feared its influence. In its own analysis within the context of encouraging and supporting base Christian communities, the group decided that it should "decrease" so that the "community" and its leadership could "increase". As priests of the old order, but still good faithful priests, they saw that their ministry came from and within the people of God. Clergy dominance, even when progressive, was a problem and a liability in the development of real Christian communities.

I see myself as "a priest of the old order", not chosen by a Christian community and somewhat dubious of any real "calling" other than coming out of the altar boy farm system and with a somewhat general feeling that as a priest I could do something positive for others. Much of the crisis of the church today I would attribute to this institutional apparatus that fashions priests of the old order who simply are obsolete in the church that is needed today. Old wine skins for new wine - and the precious nectar is wasted or ruined.

Through our local CORPUS group on Vancouver Island we had contact with the first woman candidate for the priesthood - Michele Birch-Conery, Ph.D. -through the Roman Catholic Women Priests (RCWP) movement. Michele began to attend our monthly ecumenical gatherings. Michele is a most accomplished woman, a professor of English literature, and prior to that she has a medical background as a "flying nurse" serving remote areas. Michele was near retirement. Why would she want to be a priest? Is this just not a feminist face to the "priest of the old order" paradigm? I was sceptical - and not too sure.

I was a human rights advocate in my work as a union representative and I understood the fundamental inequality that women in the church have faced over the centuries. The misogynist theology and policies of a patriarchal church contributed to the suffering, exclusion and oppression of women - well to be honest it still does. I understood that the RCWP movement was a logical next step for Catholic women. Groups like CNWE (Catholic Network for Women's Equality) can only talk about the issues for so long, but eventually advocating for change leads to action.

As happens sometimes the spark for change comes from a place least expected. A group of three bishops approached Dr.Patricia Fresen (a professor of theology in Rome) and asked her to consider ordination. Patricia is another of those women who has led a full life as an educator and as a member of a religious order could have chosen to retire gracefully in comfort. She had been jailed in South Africa for defying the laws of apartheid by allowing black children to attend the school where she was the director. She knew of the struggle for equality and she stood with the oppressed and paid the price. Reluctantly Patricia listened to the arguments of these bishops and she accepted ordination to the priesthood and then later as bishop so that she could make an effort in the struggle against inequality in the community that was her church. Again she paid a hefty price as she was expelled from her religious community at the insistence of the Vatican. This meant that all financial support and the security of religious life for a faithful member were abruptly ended. That was not the "vow" of poverty - rather it is real poverty.

I met Patricia Fresen a few years ago when she was visiting Vancouver Island and she asked to come and see our new home in Saltair. We asked her to bless our new home even before we had moved in and she consented graciously. There is a gentleness and depth of wisdom that comes from Patricia and I wish we could have more time with her.

On April 17, 2010 Patricia was again back on Vancouver Island for the ordination of two women to the priesthood. One of them I know as she had joined our mid-island community gatherings with her husband Robert. Kim Sylvester is another accomplished woman, professor of music with a full career behind her as well as her life as mother and grandmother. Kim felt the "call" to the priesthood and began the journey and preparation. How could you not support such a good woman? Yet still - the same question - another priest of the old order but with a woman's face?


I had a minor role in the ordination ceremony as videographer, something for which I am minimally qualified. Michele Birch-Conery drafted me and gave me her camera which is about 100 times better than my mini-Canon camera. The ordination was celebrated in the Centennial United Church in Victoria with the gracious support of its minister, Rev. Alana Menu. I recognized Rev. Rosalind Westaway, an Anglican priest, who recently retired and lives nearby in Ladysmith. Rosalind gave the welcome to the congregation. There were other women Anglican priests present. I noticed that like myself there were other married RC priests present - a former OMI and a former Jesuit among them. The church "felt" particularly warm and comfortable - this coming from one who is not known to be attentive to "feelings".

Francois Brassard was the master of ceremonies and managed to keep everything flowing smoothly. There was a choir, led by Gordon Miller, which had obviously put much effort into preparing for this ordination. Bishop Patricia came in the procession with the two women candidates and a number of other co-celebrants. There was a presentation of the candidates and witnesses to their calling came forth and spoke on their behalf.

The Liturgy of the Word was most powerful. Perhaps it was the texts chosen (Proverbs 8:32-25, 9:1-6, Acts 16:11-15, John 8:1-8) but also the readers - an Anglican priest, a laywoman and the gospel read by Rev. Alana Menu. The Rev. Ellen Willinham, an Anglican priest, then spoke about the calling of women to leadership roles in the church. She was followed by Bishop Patricia Fresen who spoke on the unusual ordination text from John citing the encounter between Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery. Bishop Patricia highlighted that Jesus was an orthodox Jew who took his religion seriously but he did not hesitate to critique the law or even break the law when it was applied unjustly or for evil purposes. Jesus did not come to condemn but to offer new life. This ordination was conducted according to the traditional ritual of the Church, except for the contravention of Canon 1024 which states that only a "male" can be validly ordained. Patricia outlined how this canon stands in contrast to centuries of tradition and the very example of inclusivity as witnessed in the life of Jesus as found in the gospels.


After the liturgy of the word the choir led the congregation in the singing of the Taize version of the "Veni Sancte Spiritu". This was not an ordinary church type hymn - there was almost a mystical breath of harmony as the entire congregation became one with the choir in this simple but profound prayer. Again the Myers-Briggs test says I am not a "feeling type" of guy, but there was something different happening. No dove fluttered down from the rafters, but there was a strong sense of communal unison in purpose.

As the candidates prostrated themselves before the altar, as is tradition, the community prayed in song the Litany of the Saints. This litany highlighted many of the great women of our religious tradition but also included modern saints like Bishop Romero. "All you holy men and women, pray for us" was the response and it was an invocation that made them present in this moment of deep religious renewal. Then Bishop Patricia explained the ritual of the "laying on hands" - a gesture without words that was itself the prayer. Bishop Patricia then invited the co-celebrants to follow her and then others in the congregation to then join in this prayer of the "laying on hands". All of the women priests and ministers, including those of other Christian communions, joined in this prayer of ordination as well as many of the congregation including family members of the candidates. I maintained my position as videographer but found myself profoundly affected when Rev. Alana Menu approached the candidates and joined in this ritual. I know Alana and her husband through another instance and rejoiced in her own ordination as a United Church minister only a few years ago.

Deep within me I recognized that something more profound was happening before my eyes. This was not just the ordination of two women, but it was the tearing down of walls of separation. Patricia Fresen had gone to jail in South Africa to include young black students in the school run by her religious order. This was not just equality but it was "inclusivity" - refusing to exclude and refusing to be excluded. Pope Benedict would have us believe that the other Christian communions are not real churches, and that their salvation depends on them joining us. Here I was witness to a different dimension of ecumenism - not a formal week of prayer for Christian unity as governed by the old order - but a demonstration that ecumenism is unity when it is made to happen. Women ministers united to pray for these two RC candidates in a gesture of solidarity and ecclesial love.

The communion table was again a moment that highlighted "inclusivity". Patricia Fresen highlighted two aspects that perhaps are symbolic but very powerful in the R.C.W.P. movement. The "program of service" had printed in bold "Please note that our tradition is that the Presider and ministers receive communion last, not first". At the beginning of the communion service it was also announced that at the Lord's Table "all are invited".

Religious movements and organizations pass through different stages beginning with "inspiration" and sometimes ending with "rigid institutionalization". There are powerful signs that the R.C.W.P. movement desires to move priesthood into a new paradigm. Will the inspiration provided by leaders such as Bishop Patricia Fresen sustain the group as it grows and matures? Is it possible that this new paradigm of priestly leadership will prove "contagious" and maybe even begin to influence the old order priests? Pope Benedict XVI has shown that he can go to extraordinary limits to rehabilitate renegade bishops of the Pius X movement, even when they turn out to be anti-Semitic holocaust deniers.

Perhaps with some time and growth, a successor pope might realize that for the good of the universal church, it would be opportune to offer full communion to these women who are ordained. In the meanwhile, there is some excitement, akin to the refreshing spirit in the air in the first years after Vatican II. Maybe some of the priests of the old order, those still in ministry and those who are retired and married, need to accept that it would be a "kairos" type moment to accept an option to "decrease" so that something new and potentially very alive can "increase".
Note: Comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for their content.

Title Author Date-Time

All about Inclusivity

Gerry Grundy April 27, 2010 09:57 AM
I am ready for this step at any time. Priests of both genders and an open communion are two things that our church is ready for. We can't wait for the hierarchy to deem it appropriate to do so. My wife and I continue to work at the grass roots of ecumenism, enjoying what we see in other denominations and embracing what we see as good. We must be ready to make bold steps as Jesus, Peter and Paul did even when being criticized for thinking outside the box. I have wanted for a long time to put on the sign of our church "All are welcome" and showing that by disposing of the tradition of an closed communion, which is so contradictory to the inclusivity of Jesus. The exclusion of women priests is based upon such weak arguments of dubious biblical research. If we keep working at it, it will eventually come to the whole church.
#

All about Inclusivity

Dennis Benoit April 27, 2010 02:06 PM
This women's ordination in Victoria was the second one I attended there and each time was deeply moved by the faith of the ordinands, presiders and all others who were present. Being present among those whom the Vatican has declared "outcasts" to put it mildly creates a special bond, similar to that experienced by those whom Jesus befriended and defended against the unjust laws created by the religious authorities of His time. The fact that Jesus spent the majority of His public ministry with such people without judgement or disapproval should strengthen the faith of all of us, knowing that we are not cut off from the love and grace of God whatsoever. I, a gay catholic, know first hand what it is like to be treated unjustly by most of our Catholic clergy. My faith community, Dignity Vancouver (and Dignity Canada) unconditionally acknowledge and welcome the ministry of our Catholic Women priests. One such priest, Michele Birch-Conery has aready facilitated a day of retreat and presided at a Eucharistic liturgy with us in Vancouver. Events such as these ordinations are true signs that a universal church is now underway.

Changes Have Been Made in the Church/ But Catholics Must Know the Whole Truth -Get Rid of Clerical Culture and Reform the Church

Changes have been made in the church
By Judge Nick Kuntz • April 26, 2010
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100426/EDIT03/4250367
Comments (3)
This article first appeared in The Sunday Enquirer, April 25, 2010.

"One of the greatest responsibilities adults ever face is the protection of children under their care.
That is a duty that falls heavily upon those who minister in the name of the Catholic Church because children are entrusted to the Church in so many ways - in schools, in religious education, in Scouting, on field trips and in sports. Parents have a right to expect that their children are as safe as humanly possible in all of these situations.

In earlier years, the Church's actions to prevent crimes against children under its care and the reactions to abuse when it happened were often inadequate or worse. I can assure you, as chair of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Child Protection Review Board, that things have changed."

My Reflection:
Thank you Judge Nick Kuntz for sharing your proactive approach and the actions your community has taken to protect our children. Every Catholic parish in the world needs to have a model similar to the Diocesan Review Boards to educate and provide transparency in dealing with best practices, and reviewing policy and complaints. And, of course, this includes reporting allegations to civil authorities for investigation.

As you said, the past abuse of youth was often "inadequate or worse."

In fact, I believe that the past needs to be dug up and dealt with now. If the bishops and Vatican want to heal the gaping wound that is piercing Catholicism's heart, why do they oppose removing the Statue of Limitations in sexual abuse cases against clergy? When are the victims going to get justice? And even more searing, when will their bodies, minds and spirits be healed? They are our beloved brothers and sisters, part of our family. This is now a global crisis.

Catholics around the world need to know the whole truth, put in place policies and practices such as Diocesan Review Boards. But Catholics also need to embrace the systemic changes that dismantle a clerical culture that played such a destructive role in the cover-up. Otherwise, we are only putting band-aids on a gaping wound.
Bridget Mary Meehan

History Will Judge the Catholic Faith/Cincinnati Sunday Enquirer

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100426/EDIT03/4250366

History will judge the Catholic faith
By Daniel Frondorf • April 26, 2010

This article first appeared in The Sunday Enquirer, April 25, 2010.

"As the clergy sex abuse scandal continues to evolve globally and is no longer simply an American anomaly, survivors of clergy sex abuse all around the world, like me, are left to wonder how and why we were forsaken by seemingly indifferent Roman Catholic leadership all those years ago...

"Recently attempting to deflect bad news, the pope and his cardinals, bishops and even his local parish priests have circled the wagons offering obligatory apologies, prayers, explanations and veiled references to the scandal muttered during Vatican homilies. The Catholics even have something terrible in common with the Jewish people - their own version of anti-Semitism as a "persecuted" faith. These reactions would be laughable if they were not so hurtful."

US Scandals Affect Local Views on Vatican Crisis

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100426/EDIT03/4250364
US scandals affect local views on Vatican crisis
By Dan Horn • dhorn@enquirer.com • April 26, 2010

Comments (67)
This article first appeared in The Sunday Enquirer, April 25, 2010.

Catholics who were frustrated and angry over the church's response - or lack thereof - to abusive priests in 2002 are outraged by the more recent accusations that the pope failed to punish abusers when he was a bishop and a cardinal.

"The latest audit from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops found that the number of new credible abuse reports fell from 10 in 2008 to six last year."

"But some Catholics remain skeptical of the church's commitment and say the pope's actions as a bishop show that he was just as out of touch as the American bishops who tolerated abusive priests for years."

"The troubles in Munich relate to a known pedophile priest who was allowed to work in German parishes even after his superiors became aware of the abuse. As bishop, the pope was in charge of the diocese and responsible for dealing with abusive priests."

Australian Bishop Calls for 'Total Systemic Reform'

Australian bishop calls for ‘total systemic reform,’ says celibacy discipline should end
April 27, 2010
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=6148
Saying that “the current crisis facing the Catholic Church arising out of sexual abuse is arguably the most serious challenge the Church has faced since the Reformation,” an Australian bishop says that the Church needs “total systemic reform.”
“The reform needed by the Church today will involve much more than just ‘tinkering around the edges,’” writes Auxiliary Bishop Pat Power of Canberra-Goulburn. “Issues such as the authoritarian nature of the Church, compulsory celibacy for the clergy, the participation of women in the Church, the teaching on sexuality in all aspects cannot be brushed aside. Listening must be a key component of reform and at times that will involve listening to unpalatable truths. It needs to be recognised that all wisdom does not reside exclusively in the present all male leadership of the Church and that the voices of the faithful must be heard.”

A Better Chance at Justice for Abuse Victims/New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/opinion/27lessig.html?hp
April 27, 2010
Op-Ed Contributor
A Better Chance at Justice for Abuse Victims
By LAWRENCE LESSIG
EXCERPTS
"New York has one of the nation’s most restrictive statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, requiring victims to sue within five years of turning 18, whether or not they have recognized the psychological harm caused to them by their abuse.

Assemblywoman Margaret Markey, a Queens Democrat, has introduced a bill to give victims another five years to seek compensation, plus a one-year window for victims blocked by the old limitations to now bring suit. That legislation has passed the Assembly three times, yet the Senate has refused to consider it. It has now been reintroduced into the Assembly.

At the core of the opposition to this bill is heavy lobbying by the New York Catholic Conferenc"e...

If the Catholic hierarchy wants to move forward, they should support efforts toward justice for victims. Actions speak louder than words!
Bridget Mary Meehan

Austrian Cardinal Groer: Results of Vatican Investigation Never Released/ New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/world/europe/27vienna.html?hp
April 26, 2010
Future Pope Tried to Get Fuller Inquiry in Abuse Case
By KATRIN BENNHOLD
EXCERPTS:

There are indications that Benedict had a lower tolerance for sexual misconduct by elite clergy members than other top Vatican officials, including his boss, John Paul.

“He cannot expect others to be transparent, like the Irish bishops he appeals to in his letter, and not be transparent himself,”...

The results of a Vatican investigation at Cardinal Groër’s abbey in 1998 have never been released by the Vatican.

For the rest of his life, until his death seven years ago, Cardinal Groër never confessed or faced trial.

Bishop Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger Has Presided at Funerals and Weddings with Roman Catholic Male Priests In Austria- A Step Forward!

Bishop Christine Mayr- Lumetzberger presided at this funeral at which two Roman Catholic male priests also participated. See photo.
The funeral took place in an Austrian parish church (baroque style). The 2 priests are Roman Catholic male priests but even though they protested to the diocese that Bishop Christine was invited to preside, the wishes of the relatives of the deceased took precedence.
This is not the first time that Bishop Christine has made history. Last year she presided at a funeral held in a cathedral. There were 8 Roman Catholic male priests who participated in the liturgy and 500 people attended. Bishop Christine has also co-presided with a male Roman Catholic priest at a wedding in Austria.

This makes sense to me-- let the people choose! And they chose both a Roman Catholic Womanbishop and Roman Catholic male priests! Three cheers for Austria!! Perhaps, this will be a trend for the future of partnership and equality in the Catholic Church!
Bridget Mary Meehan

"Not Even a Slew of Angels"... "The Pope and the Roman Catholic Church have been visited by a whole slew of Angels"

Not Even a Slew of Angels

By Davidson Loehr
Published: April 25, 2010
http://inewp.com/

"The Pope and the Roman Catholic Church have been visited by a whole slew of angels. But their willful blindness and deafness now have them up on the roof, with the water rising. To list just a few of the loudest messages they have ignored:

• The Irish government’s massive 2009 “Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse” (also known as the Ryan Report), was a nine year study of the abuse of children in Catholic schools from 1936 to the present. Published in 2009, the report found rape and sexual molestation “endemic” in the Catholic institutions caring for about 30,000 of Ireland’s children during that 73-year period. The Church successfully sued to keep all priests’ names secret. Not long ago, “Irish Catholic” was redundant. Now it’s becoming rare. The national Catholic seminary at Maynooth has graduated more than 11,000 priests since its founding in 1795. The huge number – far more than Irish churches needed – is why so many American Catholics had Irish priests in the last century. In 2008, only 15 men were ordained as Catholic priests for the entire island with about 4.2 million nominal Catholics."

Questioning the Pope/New York Times/ Catholics Should Hold Pope Accountable/Reform Now

Catholics, who love our church, should applaud media scrutiny of the global sex abuse scandal including the New York Times, Associate Press, the National Catholic Reporter and other responsible media around the world who are sharing the bad news of a global clerical culture of criminal behaviour that has betrayed our church. While it is shocking that this abuse leads to the Vatican, it is a truth that must be faced.

We cannot blame the messenger for the bad news. The media is not the problem, the clerical coverup is the issue. Catholics want to know the truth, and follow Jesus who challenges us to speak truth to power, even if that means holding the highest authorities in our church accountable. The Catholic church is not above the civil law.

We, the people of God, are the church and it is up to us now to demand reform and renewal of our beloved church. This, in my view, means an end to mandatory celibacy, women priests and married priests.Catholics must take responsibility for the future of our church, and act as partners and equals with the leaders of our church.

Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
sofiabmm@aol.com
941-955-2313
703-505-0004

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/opinion/25pubed.html?scp=2&sq=pope&st=cse

April 25, 2010
The Public Editor
Questioning the Pope
By CLARK HOYT

"But it would be irresponsible to ignore the continuing revelations. A day after the first article about Murphy, The Times published another front-page article that said Benedict, while archbishop in Munich, led a meeting approving the transfer of a pedophile priest and was kept informed about the case. The priest was later convicted of molesting boys in another parish. The paper’s critics have been mostly silent about this report.

Like it or not, there are circumstances that have justifiably driven this story for years, including a well-documented pattern of denial and cover-up in an institution with billions of followers. Painful though it may be, the paper has an obligation to follow the story where it leads, even to the pope’s door."

E-mail: public@nytimes.com.

Vatican Seeks 'Transparency' in Abuse Cases/But most recent case shows church authorities warned years before in story of abuse by bishop in Belgium

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/world/europe/25church.html?ref=world
April 24, 2010
Vatican Seeks ‘Transparency’ in Abuse Cases
By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO

In the most recent case, in which a Belgian bishop resigned Friday after admitting to sexually abusing a boy, new information came to light on Saturday suggesting that church authorities had been warned about the bishop years ago.

The bishop, Roger Vangheluwe, 73, of Bruges, said that he had abused a boy when he was a priest and that he had continued after he became a bishop in 1985.

The Latest on Pope Benedict/New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/info/pope-benedict-xvi/?scp=1-spot&sq=pope&st=cse

EXCERPTS:

The Catholic Church is now enveloped in a widening sexual abuse scandal that is quickly defining Benedict's papacy.

The abuse scandals have put to the test a Vatican culture of protecting its own even in the face of crimes against civil and canon law.

Bishop Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger presides at wedding in Austria

Bishop Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger, one of the first women bishops of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement, presides at a wedding in Austria in April 2010.

List of Topics/References on Roman Catholic Church/New York Times

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/r/roman_catholic_church/index.html?inline=nyt-org

www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

A list of resources from around the Web about Catholic church as selected by researchers and editors of The New York Times.

The Holy See
Official home page of the Vatican
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
National Catholic Reporter
National Catholic Register
Catholic News Service
Catholic World News
Zenit
Catholic news service
Catholic News Agency
Eternal Word Television Network
American Catholic
From the Franciscans and St.Anthony Messenger Press
Catholic Online
Catholic.net
Catholic Exchange
Inside Catholic
New Advent
Catholic supersite, including the Catholic Encyclopedia published in 1914.
Catholic Culture
Catholic Blog Directory
Catholic Hierarchy
Books
Seminary Boy
John Cornwell [2006]
Catholic Matters
Richard John Neuhaus [2006]
A Church That Can and Cannot Change
John T. Noonan Jr. [2005]
A People Adrift
Peter Steinfels [2003]
Catholicism and American Freedom
John T. McGreevy [2003]
Catholic Nuns and the Making of America
John J. Fialka [2003]
Goodbye Father
Richard A. Schoenherr [2002]
Betrayal: The Crisis in the Catholic Church
The Boston Globe [2002]
Why I am a Catholic
Garry Wills [2002]
Breaking Faith
John Cornwell [2001]
Documents
The New American Bible
Official Catholic bible from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Catechism of the Catholic Church
From the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Belgian Bishop Quits Over Sex Abuse

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/world/europe/24vatican.html?hp

April 23, 2010
Belgian Bishop Quits Over Sex Abuse
By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO

EXCERPTS:

The longest-serving bishop in Belgium resigned Friday after admitting to sexually abusing “a young man in my close entourage” many years ago, becoming the latest cleric to quit in a spreading abuse scandal.

(Roger Vangheluwe, 73, the bishop of Bruges since 1984 [actually, 1985] )

Vatican Cardinal Bucked US Bishop on Abuse/Time for Catholics to Call Forth Womenpriests and Married Priests

Vatican cardinal bucked US bishop on abuse
Castrillon took up cause of priest who admitted molesting minors
Apr. 22, 2010
By Jason Berry - NCR Online
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/vatican-cardinal-bucked-us-bishop-abuse

"Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, the former Vatican official who sent a letter in 2001 praising a French bishop for sheltering an abusive priest, had earlier intervened, against the wishes of a U.S. bishop, on behalf of an American abuser priest, according to documents that were part of a lawsuit.

Castrillon pressured Bishop Manuel Moreno, who was bishop of Tucson, Ariz., from 1982-2003, to allow a priest sex abuser to take a pension and work outside the diocese, despite allegations that would later jolt the diocese and cost millions to resolve. Fr Robert Trupia "sexually abused dozens of minor boys" before he was defrocked in 2004, according to documents in the civil case."
The litigation surrounding the case opens a rare window on the operation of the Vatican legal system"...

The trail of the global sexual abuse crisis leads to the Vatican and this article sheds light on a horrendous reality, hard to fathom- the shielding of pedophiles by top-level Vatican officials. Can you imagine allowing a pedophile priest to work in another diocese, putting at risk innocent children and vulnerable youth? Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos intervened to keep Fr.Trupia in ministry. The shuffling of pedophile priests by the hierarchy which resulted in rapes and abuse of youth would make Jesus weep, and should set off alarms among the world's billion Catholics. Our institutional church is on life-support.

Some bishops are suggesting that the people of God do penance for this debacle. Pope Benedict, the cardinals and the bishops should be the ones taking the lead in doing penance for this horrendous abuse of children. This penance should be the transformation of the clerical culture that covered-up this abuse. There must be a a system of accountability put in place, decision-making in the hands of the non-ordained as well as the ordained, and a return to the early church's practice of married priest and women priests.

Catholics, you can call forth vocations in your communities of women and men of integrity. You can support priests in your parishes who are open to working in partnership with women priests and married priests. You have the power to change our church in grassroots communities. There is no reason to tolerate closure of churches. We are a sacramental church and this is our birthright. You can renew our beloved church now. www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org

If women had a place at the table making the decisions, the sex abuse of youth would be handled in an open, transparent way beginning by treating rapes and sexual abuse as crimes. Therefore, if there is an allegation, civil authorities should investigate and church authorities should cooperate and focus on doing justice for both victims and accused.
Bridget Mary Meehan

Suit Against Pope, Vatican details Wisconsin Abuse

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHURCH_ABUSE_VATICAN_LAWSUIT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-04-22-17-00-25

April 22, 2010
Suit against pope, Vatican details Wisconsin abuse
By DINESH RAMDE and ERIC GORSKI
Associated Press Writers

EXCERPTS:
The Vatican dismissed the lawsuit as a publicity stunt that is entirely without merit and rehashes theories already rejected by U.S. courts.

The lawsuit says Sodano, Ratzinger and fellow Vatican official Tarcisio Bertone all knew about the allegations against Murphy and conspired to keep them secret.

Cardinal who praised cover-up bows out of DC Latin Mass/National Catholic Reporter

Cardinal who praised cover-up bows out of DC Latin Mass

http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/cardinal-who-praised-cover-bows-out-dc-latin-mass

"The main celebrant of a solemn Traditional Latin high Mass slated for Saturday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has agreed to step aside following objections from sex abuse survivors and others"...

"Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos was named in French press reports last week for praising French Bishop Pierre Pican of Bayeux-Lisieux in a 2001 letter for refusing to denounce one of his priests who went on to be sentenced to 18 years in jail for raping a boy and abusing 10 other young men"...

"Cardinal Castrillon's letter resurfaced in the coverage of recent disclosures of sexual abuse by priests. He wrote it when he was head of the Vatican's Congregation for Clergy...
"
"I congratulate you for not denouncing a priest to the civil administration," Cardinal Castrillon wrote to Bishop Pierre Pican of Bayeux-Lisieux. "You have acted well and I am happy to have a colleague in the episcopate who, in the eyes of history and of all other bishops in the world, preferred prison to denouncing his son, a priest." ...

"Revising History Vatican Style" by Thomas P. Doyle, National Catholic Reporter

Revising history Vatican style
by Thomas P. Doyle on Apr. 21, 2010 - NCR ONLINE
http://ncronline.org/blogs/examining-crisis/revising-history-vatican-style
This is the first time the Vatican has publicly agreed that sexual abuse of minors is not only a crime in the secular world, but one that should be reported to civil authorities.
"The scandal that has been swirling around the institutional church for decades has been caused by the fact that bishops consistently did precisely the opposite of what the Vatican now presents as standard operating procedure"...
” A Vatican spokesman, Fr. Ciro Benedettini said that a reporting requirement had been an internal policy of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 2003, a fact that he would have been better advised to keep to himself. If this policy has been buried in deep secrecy, what good is it?”
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, now the Vatican secretary of state, was secretary at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2002 when he was quoted by John Allen as saying “In my opinion, the demand that a bishop be obligated to contact the police in order to denounce a priest who has admitted the offense of pedophilia is unfounded.” He went on to say that “...civil society must also respect the professional secrecy of priests, as it respects the professional secrecy of other categories.”
"In practice the policy has been to avoid contact with civil authorities and to cover up the crimes and the criminals."
[Tom Doyle is a priest, canon lawyer, addictions therapist and long-time supporter of justice and compassion for clergy sex abuse victims.]

A Woman's Place is in the Church/Newsweek article by Lisa Miller/Roman Catholic Womenpriests Issuing in New Era of Gender Justice in Catholic Church

http://www.newsweek.com/id/235882

April 3, 2010
Lisa Miller/Newsweek
"The cause of the Catholic clergy's sex-abuse scandal is no mystery: insular groups of men often do bad things. So why not break up the all-male club?"

"With priestly vocations in steep decline in the U.S., and women running 80 percent of parish ministries, female priests seem an inevitability. A small group of about 100 renegade women have already been ordained "by a bishop in good standing," says Eileen McCafferty DiFranco, who is one of them. Though excommunicated, DiFranco remains unbowed. "Jesus never said only men can be priests."

Roman Catholic Womenpriests are issuing in a new era of partnership and equality that is rooted in the example of Jesus who called women and men to be disciples and equals. (See Luke 8) Women in ordained ministry- deacons, priests and bishops- served their communities for twelve hundred years.(See Gary Macy, The Hidden History of Women's Ordination)
We are a growing movement of pioneers with enthusiastic supporters and communities who are living prophetic obedience to the Spirit and offering a viable model of gender justice within the Catholic Church in the 21st century. Come and See! Yes, indeed, a woman's place is in the Catholic Church!
Bridget Mary Meehan
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004

Pope Promises Action Against Clerical Sex Abuse/Associated Press/Victims Call for Removal of Bishops Who Shielded Abusers

Pope promises action against clerical sex abuse
By NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press Writer
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_VATICAN_CHURCH_ABUSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-04-21-06-33-56
"I shared with them their suffering, and emotionally prayed with them, assuring them of church action," Benedict said.
"Neither Benedict nor the Vatican has elaborated on what action or measures are being considered"...
"...Victims advocates have demanded the Vatican take stronger action and remove the bishops who shielded known abusers, shuffling them around from diocese to diocese rather than reporting them to police"...
"Three Irish government-ordered investigations published from 2005 to 2009 have documented how thousands of Irish children suffered rape, molestation and other abuse by priests in their parishes and by nuns and brothers in boarding schools and orphanages. Irish bishops did not report a single case to police until 1996 after victims began to sue the church."___
Associated Press writer Shawn Pogatchnik contributed to this report from Dublin.
It is time for the Pope to state clearly that he and his brother bishops are accountable for their failures in the sex abuse crisis. Otherwise, this global sex abuse crisis will continue to erupt like a volcano spewing destruction in its path. Unless there is structural change,beginning with a truth commission, and changes such as the end of mandatory celibacy, married priests and women priests, the following actions by the institutional church will not heal the gaping wound that has destroyed the hierarchy's moral credibility and devastated thousands of lives of innocent victims of sexual abuse. The people of God have been betrayed by the hierarchy and the Vatican. The first step is admitting the magnitude of the problem and taking responsibility for its devastating consequences. All Catholics are responsible for reformng our church because we are the church.
Roman Catholic Womenpriests are working to transform the hierarchical model and create a partnership model in inclusive communiities with people wth whom we serve. Bridget Mary Meehan

Church Pedophile Scandal Grows in Latin America

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100420/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_brazil_church_sex_scandal

SAO PAULO – The detention of an 83-year-old priest in Brazil for allegedly abusing boys as young as 12 has added to the scandals hitting the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America, even as Chile's bishops asked pardon Tuesday for past cases.

The allegations against Monsignor Luiz Marques Barbosa — and two other Brazilian priests — have made headlines throughout the world's most populous Catholic nation and come amid accusations of sexual abuse by priests around the world.

Update on Partner Priest, Lee Breyer, Who Serves Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

(Carol Ann, Lee, and Bridget Mary, from left to right)
Dad and I just returned from Manatee Hospital. We had lunch with Carol Ann Breyer. I was able to see Lee and pray with him for a few minutes. I assured Lee that he was not alone that all of us were with him, surrounding him with our loving prayers and support. His lung is healing and there is no kidney damage. Thank God!
The next step we are looking forward to is the removal of tube in his lung. They plan to give him a little food tomorrow.
Carol Ann is very strong and appreciates our loving, prayerful support too.
If you wish to send a card, please send it to this address.
Mercy on the Manatee
505 Palm Ave
Ellenton, FL. 34222
Home Phone 941-721-3486
Please only email with urgent messages at Carol Anne's request:
Breyerca@aol.com
Bridget Mary

Good Shepherd Ministry: A Report from Judy Lee, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest, of Service to Homeless in Ft. Myers, Florida

April GSM Ministry Report: 3/2/10-4/20/10
“You have turned my mourning into dancing” says Psalm 30:11, and these seven weeks have borne witness to this Psalm. We have experienced the mourning that comes when one who has done well with us in Joshua House stumbles and falls back into substance abuse and takes others with him, causing us to question whether our program without a live-in supervisor is a philosophy that really works. And we have experienced mourning for our two Board members, Stella and Doreen who are very ill, and the loss of a strong supporter, Joyce Pinney, an elder from Lamb of God who died and had the kindness to ask that her Memorial gifts be shared with this ministry. Yet, we have experienced the joys of some returning to our ministry who seemed to have been lost. We also stood beside one of our men, Shannon as he faced a cancer diagnosis and the successful removal of a cancerous kidney. Even as he went through this, he finally got into his first home with Goodwill housing and his SSI was finally approved-mourning into joy. And the joys of the faithfulness of a few others, like Mr. Gary who is now joining our Board and who sticks with us no matter what! And, there is Brenda who gets a ride here from Port Charlotte, and Tom who set out from North Fort Myers on a Sunday to bike to church and had a flat tire. Although he was not very far from his new home, he decided to walk the whole way here, a distance of 6-7 miles. He did this in thankfulness for his home. This was the same Sunday morning that our Joshua House resident caused a great deal of trouble-and it lifted my heart. A month later, we had the joy of baptizing a Grandmother and two of her grandchildren. She brings ten of her grandchildren with her to church and there are the seeds of our children’s program. And, finally, through our help, our Mother without legal status was approved for her Green card(permit to work here) and got it, changing everything for herself and her family. Weeping at night-Joy in the morning-mourning into dancing…and so it is with our ministry.
Tuesday Services
Since January we have served over 303 meals on Tuesdays, most frequently provided by Lamb of God volunteers, thanks to Sally Patterson’s careful coordination. This does NOT count seconds and those are usual. (On Sundays we have served over 414 meals bringing our total to over 717 meals in less than four months). Additionally we have provided weekly and biweekly food, including meat and staples, for three large families and many individuals.
Seven of our people had their SSI, SSDI or Social Security approved since January, five during the period of this report. Three others were guided through the process of applying and documenting. Four who were denied were referred to a lawyer that we trust and one of those, Shannon, just got his funds. Three got into Goodwill Housing in April, and three have been involved in the second step for Royal Palm Senior Housing. Nine began mental health services through Vista and many have begun to use the health care system to manage serious illnesses. Two families were rescued from losing their housing, and many were given the help they needed to maintain health and housing.
Joshua House
Joshua House has now accepted its seventeenth resident, an older gentleman, Ken, 61, who awaits senior housing. He has very serious illnesses that he is also attending to as he lives with us. He will attend AA meetings at least once a week and his remaining with us is contingent upon daily sobriety. He is helpful and generous to others with rides in his truck and local transporting. We are hopeful as he has entered the final stage of acceptance to Royal Palm and is also willing to accept any of GWI’s Housing sites. We have one bed available and have three on the waiting list that we are considering.
Needs
Five of our formerly homeless people are maintaining subsidized housing but have zero income as neither a job nor Disability income has come through for them. We have been helping them financially and with paper goods, etc. but on an as needed basis. We are hoping to find a way to give each a small regular stipend so they have some pocket money until they have an income. Their situations are very stressful to them.
We also hope to develop a time-limited summer program for children/youth, perhaps providing some small stipend to mothers and youth who can help us with this program.
We are thankful for our faithful Board members and for all of the volunteers and supporters, near and far who help us turn mourning into joy and dancing with the love of community.
Respectfully Submitted,

Pastor Judy Lee
4/20/2010