Our growing communion of Priestly pioneers. ARCWP June 20, 2013
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Pink Smoke was a great success
You will be happy to know that the showing of Pink Smoke Over the Vatican was a grand success with a full audience. Thanks to all who worked so hard to get out the word. It will be sold next week on Amazon.com and at the Call to Action........Purchase a copy for your friends for Christmas.....
Huge numbers of Irish Catholic priests call for reform
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Irelands--Associaton-of-Catholic-Priests-call-for-reform-132848863.html?showAll=y
Huge numbers of Irish Catholic priests call for reform
Over 500 priests want celibacy replaced, women priests allowed
By
ANTOINETTE KELLY,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Sunday, October 30, 2011, 7:15 AM
Updated Sunday, October 30, 2011, 7:15 AM
Ireland's Association of Catholic Priests is pushing for reform in the Catholic Church, calling for the ordination of women and an end to mandatory celibacy at a meeting held in Dublin early this month.
The liberal group has only been in existence for one year, but the growth of the association has been rapid with 540 Irish priests op ting for membership. In its first year, the group opposed the new translation of the Roman Missal and appealed to the Irish bishops' conference to delay the introduction of the changes. The hierarchy dismissed the concerns.
At the Oct 4-5 meeting, Fr. Kevin Hegarty, a member of the association’s leadership team, said what was needed was a church that would open its doors to "married priests and women priests."
According to the National Catholic Reporter, Hegarty said that church structures were a barrier to conversation and “despite the promise of the Second [Vatican] Council ... the church in Ireland failed to evolve a strategy that could learn from and contribute to the new consciousness.” An authoritarian hierarchical structure “is contemptuous of intellectual challenge and is fearful of leaps of the imagination. The c onsequences have flowed.”
One priest attending the meeting, Dominican Fr. Wilfrid J. Harrington, said he was motivated to join the association because of “the betrayal of Vatican II over the past 30 years.”
“I now know, from our meeting, that Vatican II is not dead. Now I am aware that I belong to a sizable group of priests, diocesan and religious who still believe in Vatican II. And, happily and vitally, not only clergy, but very many lay women and men.
“After our [annual general meeting] I confidently expect that membership of the Association of Catholic Priests will grow substantially,”
However, not all Irish priests longing for reform are happy with the association.
Fr. Paddy McCafferty, a survivor of clerical abuse and an outspoken critic of the Irish hierarchy, says that the group is “not prophetic in the true scriptural sense.”
He insists that the group cannot claim to be a “loyal opposition” because it is “not loyal at any level and pushing its own agenda all the time.”
“To be loyal to the church is to expose evil for the good of the church,” McCafferty said, adding that he “utterly rejects” the Association of Catholic Priests as “having anything truthful or constructive to offer in the current crises afflicting the church.”
The Association of Catholic Priests makes no apologies.
Said Fr. Brendan Hoban, another member of the leadership team: “The Association of Catholic Priests does not intend to water down its objectives in order to attract a larger membership."
Huge numbers of Irish Catholic priests call for reform
Over 500 priests want celibacy replaced, women priests allowed
By
ANTOINETTE KELLY,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Sunday, October 30, 2011, 7:15 AM
Updated Sunday, October 30, 2011, 7:15 AM
Ireland's Association of Catholic Priests is pushing for reform in the Catholic Church, calling for the ordination of women and an end to mandatory celibacy at a meeting held in Dublin early this month.
The liberal group has only been in existence for one year, but the growth of the association has been rapid with 540 Irish priests op ting for membership. In its first year, the group opposed the new translation of the Roman Missal and appealed to the Irish bishops' conference to delay the introduction of the changes. The hierarchy dismissed the concerns.
At the Oct 4-5 meeting, Fr. Kevin Hegarty, a member of the association’s leadership team, said what was needed was a church that would open its doors to "married priests and women priests."
According to the National Catholic Reporter, Hegarty said that church structures were a barrier to conversation and “despite the promise of the Second [Vatican] Council ... the church in Ireland failed to evolve a strategy that could learn from and contribute to the new consciousness.” An authoritarian hierarchical structure “is contemptuous of intellectual challenge and is fearful of leaps of the imagination. The c onsequences have flowed.”
One priest attending the meeting, Dominican Fr. Wilfrid J. Harrington, said he was motivated to join the association because of “the betrayal of Vatican II over the past 30 years.”
“I now know, from our meeting, that Vatican II is not dead. Now I am aware that I belong to a sizable group of priests, diocesan and religious who still believe in Vatican II. And, happily and vitally, not only clergy, but very many lay women and men.
“After our [annual general meeting] I confidently expect that membership of the Association of Catholic Priests will grow substantially,”
However, not all Irish priests longing for reform are happy with the association.
Fr. Paddy McCafferty, a survivor of clerical abuse and an outspoken critic of the Irish hierarchy, says that the group is “not prophetic in the true scriptural sense.”
He insists that the group cannot claim to be a “loyal opposition” because it is “not loyal at any level and pushing its own agenda all the time.”
“To be loyal to the church is to expose evil for the good of the church,” McCafferty said, adding that he “utterly rejects” the Association of Catholic Priests as “having anything truthful or constructive to offer in the current crises afflicting the church.”
The Association of Catholic Priests makes no apologies.
Said Fr. Brendan Hoban, another member of the leadership team: “The Association of Catholic Priests does not intend to water down its objectives in order to attract a larger membership."
Friday, October 28, 2011
Pink Smoke Over the Vatican
Hoping to see many at Pink Smoke tomorrow
Pink Smoke Over the Vatican
October 29, 2011 1:30-4PM
PushPushTheater
121 New Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Suggested donation:
$10
Pink Smoke Over the Vatican
October 29, 2011 1:30-4PM
PushPushTheater
121 New Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Suggested donation:
$10
Monday, October 24, 2011
Challenging the Old Boys Network in the Vatican
By Bill Quigley. Bill is a human rights lawyer with the Center for Constitutional Rights who also teaches law at Loyola University New Orleans. You can reach him at quigley77@gmail.com
The group ended their Roman pilgrimage with a simple rooftop liturgy presided over by the women priests. Bread and wine were shared as people sang “Here I am, Lord.” In the background, the sun was setting both on the great dome of St. Peter’s Basilica and the men inside who think only they run the institutional church.
We never thought it would end up on a hard wooden bench inside a police station in Piazza Cavour. Maryknoll priest Fr. Roy Bourgeois, young Erin Saiz Hannah of Women’s Ordination Conference in the US and Miriam Duignan from Womenpriests.org from the UK were sitting there when my wife and I arrived. They were being detained by the Rome police.
It started when the Rome police spotted the three women in long white church liturgical garments robes, the man in a roman collar dressed all in black, and their supporters walking several blocks down the middle of Via della Conciliazione directly towards the Vatican, the headquarters of the institutional Roman Catholic Church and the Basilica of St. Peter.
The group sang Alleluias and carried a long purple banner Ordain Catholic Women, a big red and white banner proclaiming God is Calling Women To Be Priests” (in English and Italian), and a black and white Call to Action banner
The group wanted to deliver a petition, printed on pink paper, signed by more than 15,000 people who asked the Vatican not to expel Fr. Roy Bourgeois, 72, from the church for saying that women are called to be priests in the church. Fr. Roy faces expulsion from his Catholic community, Maryknoll, for refusing to recant his belief that women can and should be allowed to become priests. Bourgeois, a decorated Vietnam veteran, has been a faithful member of the Catholic missionary group, Maryknoll, for 44 years. For twenty years, he has worked with School of Americas Watch in the US, a group of thousands who challenge the role of the US military in training human rights abusers among Latin American militaries. Along with the petition was a list of hundreds of priests who asked that Fr. Roy not be expelled just for speaking out about a matter of conscience.
As the tour busses and other traffic veered around the marchers, pedestrians on the street cheered. The huge dome of St. Peter’s Basilica dominates the area which is thronged with pilgrims and tourists, and saturated with souvenir shops and vendors selling religious medals, holy cards, statues, refrigerator magnets, flags, and postcards.
The police presence quickly outnumbered the group and stopped them as they tried to enter Vatican Square.
Protests were not allowed in the Vatican said the police. But we are here to deliver a petition, the group responded. But you are carrying signs said the police. We can put the signs down responded the group. But the women are dressed like priests and that is a protest the police insisted. But we are legitimately ordained priests they told the authorities.
After much back and forth with Vatican authorities the police said Fr. Roy could go into Vatican Square because he was a real priest. When Fr. Roy insisted all the priests, men and women, should be allowed to enter, an undercover policeman violently grabbed the banners away from those peacefully holding them and the authorities arrested Fr. Roy, Erin Saiz Hannah who the police decided organized the event, and Miriam Duignan, who was acting as the translator.
Erin and Miriam were jammed into a police car and with lights flashing and sirens blasting were taken away. Fr. Roy was taken away in another police car.
After several hours’ detention inside the Rome police station, the three were released after they signed statements promising to return to Italy if the investigating magistrate decided to try them on the charges of protesting without a permit. The banners were seized as evidence and not returned.
As the three were released from police custody to cheers from the rest of the group gathered outside the police station, the group insisted the petitions must still be delivered. Ultimately they were delivered to high ranking church official who promised to consider them.
So, who were these people?
Three of women who marched alongside Fr. Roy in priestly garb are members of Roman Catholic Women Priests, an international group of more than a hundred ordained Catholic women priests, deacons and bishops from the US, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Latvia, Scotland, South Africa, and Switzerland. Priests Ree Hudson from St. Louis, and Janice Sevre Duszynska a priest and Deacon Donna Rougeux of Kentucky marched.
The organizers of the march were Women’s Ordination Conference, Call to Action and the international Womenpriests.org. Erin Saiz Hanna and Kate Conmy were there representing Women’s Ordination Conference, a group of thousands of Roman Catholics in the US who have been advocating for women priests since 1974. Nicole Sotelo and others from Call to Action, a 25,000 member organization of Catholic lay people, religious, clergy and bishops working for justice inside and outside the Catholic Church, were present. Therese Koturbash and Miriam Duignan from Canada and the UK represented Womenpriests.org a website in 26 languages with more than 1.5 million visitors annually. Dorothy Irvin, a world renowned biblical scholar, theologian and archeologist shared historical and archeological support for the presence of women priests in the early church. Others who needed to remain anonymous to retain their jobs joined is as well.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
US priest backing women's ordination briefly held
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-priest-backing-womens-1203203.html
Rev Roy Bourgeois sits in police car in a police car after being detained in Rome, Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. A U.S. Catholic priest Roy Bourgeois who supports ordination for women was detained by police after marching to the Vatican to press the Holy See to lift its ban on women priests. The Rev. Roy Bourgeois and two supporters were taken away Monday in a police car after their group marched down the main boulevard leading to the Vatican and chanted outside St. Peter's Square "What do we want? Women priests!". (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
From left, Ree Hudson, Reverend Roy Bourgeois and Janice Sevre stage a protest in front of St. Peter's basilica in Rome, Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. U.S. Catholic priest Roy Bourgeois who supports ordination for women has been detained by police after marching to the Vatican to press the Holy See to lift its ban on women priests. The Rev. Roy Bourgeois and two supporters were taken away Monday in a police car after their group marched down the main boulevard leading to the Vatican and chanted outside St. Peter's Square "What do we want? Women priests!". (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
From right, Janice Sevre, Reverend Roy Bourgeois, Ree Hudson, Donna Rougeux and Erin Saizhanna, members of the Women's Ordination Conference group, stage a protest in front of St. Peter's basilica in Rome, Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. A U.S. Catholic priest who supports ordination for women has been detained by police after marching to the Vatican to press the Holy See to lift its ban on women priests. The Rev. Roy Bourgeois and two supporters were taken away Monday in a police car after their group marched down the main boulevard leading to the Vatican and chanted outside St. Peter's Square "What do we want? Women priests!". (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Miriam Duignan, of the Women's Ordination Conference group, fifth from right, is flanked by Rev. Roy Bourgeois as she is taken away in a police car in front of St. Peter's Basilica, in Rome, Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. A U.S. Catholic priest who supports ordination for women has been detained by police after marching to the Vatican to press the Holy See to lift its ban on women priests. The Rev. Roy Bourgeois and two supporters were taken away Monday in a police car after their group marched down the main boulevard leading to the Vatican and chanted outside St. Peter's Square "What do we want? Women priests!". Rev. Roy Bourgeois is seen holding a banner at right. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
The Rev. Roy Bourgeois and about a dozen supporters had marched down the main boulevard leading to the Vatican holding a banner "Ordain Catholic Women" and chanting outside St. Peter's Square "What do we want? Women priests! When do we want them? Now!"
Police prevented the group from entering the piazza and told them to take down their banners since they didn't have a protest permit. When police then tried to confiscate the banners, members of the group resisted, resulting in Bourgeois and two supporters being taken away in police cars, witnesses said.
The three were detained for about two hours at a Rome police station and released without being arrested or charged, though prosecutors were still investigating, said Bourgeois' attorney, Bill Quigley.
Bourgeois and members of the Women's Ordination Conference and other groups that support women priests had come to Rome to deliver a petition signed by some 15,000 people backing Bourgeois, who is facing dismissal from his Maryknoll order for his support of women's ordination.
The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2008 ordered Bourgeois to recant his support for women priests or risk excommunication after he delivered the homily at the ordination of Janice Sevre-Duszynska, one of several women who have defied the Vatican and begun passing themselves off as Roman Catholic priests.
Church teaching holds that the priesthood is reserved for men, since Christ chose only men as his apostles. Proponents of women's ordination say there is no theological basis for excluding women from the priesthood, that there is evidence of women priests in the early church and that the Vatican's ban is purely sexist.
"If the call to be a priest is a gift and comes from God, how can we as men say that our call from God is authentic but God's call of women is not?" Bourgeois wrote in an open letter to Vatican officials.
The women's ordination movement, while still small, has become something of a thorn in the side of the Vatican: Earlier this year, Pope Benedict XVI removed an Australian bishop for suggesting the church consider women priests.
Last year, the Vatican made ordaining a woman one of the gravest canonical crimes, on par with sexually abusing a child.
And in Austria, some 300 Catholic priests have joined an initiative "Call to Disobedience" calling for women priests and an end to priestly celibacy, among other church reforms.
___
October 17, 2011 12:11 PM EDT
Copyright 2011, The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
US priest backing women's ordination briefly held
By NICOLE WINFIELD
The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY — A U.S. Catholic priest who supports ordination for women was detained briefly by police Monday after marching to the Vatican to press the Holy See to lift its ban on women priests.Police prevented the group from entering the piazza and told them to take down their banners since they didn't have a protest permit. When police then tried to confiscate the banners, members of the group resisted, resulting in Bourgeois and two supporters being taken away in police cars, witnesses said.
The three were detained for about two hours at a Rome police station and released without being arrested or charged, though prosecutors were still investigating, said Bourgeois' attorney, Bill Quigley.
Bourgeois and members of the Women's Ordination Conference and other groups that support women priests had come to Rome to deliver a petition signed by some 15,000 people backing Bourgeois, who is facing dismissal from his Maryknoll order for his support of women's ordination.
The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2008 ordered Bourgeois to recant his support for women priests or risk excommunication after he delivered the homily at the ordination of Janice Sevre-Duszynska, one of several women who have defied the Vatican and begun passing themselves off as Roman Catholic priests.
Church teaching holds that the priesthood is reserved for men, since Christ chose only men as his apostles. Proponents of women's ordination say there is no theological basis for excluding women from the priesthood, that there is evidence of women priests in the early church and that the Vatican's ban is purely sexist.
"If the call to be a priest is a gift and comes from God, how can we as men say that our call from God is authentic but God's call of women is not?" Bourgeois wrote in an open letter to Vatican officials.
The women's ordination movement, while still small, has become something of a thorn in the side of the Vatican: Earlier this year, Pope Benedict XVI removed an Australian bishop for suggesting the church consider women priests.
Last year, the Vatican made ordaining a woman one of the gravest canonical crimes, on par with sexually abusing a child.
And in Austria, some 300 Catholic priests have joined an initiative "Call to Disobedience" calling for women priests and an end to priestly celibacy, among other church reforms.
___
October 17, 2011 12:11 PM EDT
Copyright 2011, The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Roman Catholic Women Priests and Leaders of Women's Ordination Celebrate Liturgy/Fr. Roy Reports Open Dialogue with Vatican Officials
News from Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Roman Catholic Women Priests and Leaders of Women's Ordination Celebrate Liturgy/Fr. Roy Reports Open Dialogue with Vatican Officials
Donna Rougeux, Janice Sevre Duszynska, Ree Hudson, and Fr. Roy Celebrate Liturgy
on rooftop overlooking the Vatican/St. Peter's Basilica.
During this week in Rome, Maryknoll Fr. Roy Bourgeois had meetings with high-level Vatican officials. Fr. Roy shared with me today that these conversations were open and positive. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this powerful story of a prophetic, priest of the people, who speaks truth to power in a loving non-threatening way.
Thanks to Women's Ordination Conference and Call to Action for all they have done to promote justice for women in the church. (Special thanks to Erin Hanna, Kate Conmy of WOC, and to Nicole Sotelo and Bob Heineman of CTA, and to Miriam Duigan of Womenpriests.org)
Roman Catholic Women Priests are offering the church a new pathway forward to a more open, people-empowered, inclusive church in our grassroots communities now. The Vatican has seen the face of the movement on its doorsteps, in the media, on Italian television as well as in over 148 media stories that have been broadcast all over the world and are now available 24-7 on google! Let us pray for open hearts and open minds. Let us stay open to the Spirit in our midst.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Commentary on NCR article by Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan
"Maryknoll Priest Who Backs Women's Ordination Detained at Vatican" NCR/ "Vatican Gift that Keeps on Giving" by Bridget Mary Meehan
Janice Sevre-Duszynska, a Roman Catholic Woman Priest, is confronted by Italian police as she approaches St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 17. Fr. Roy participated in her ordination in Lexington, KY in 2008. This prophetic stance resulted in his excommunication. Janice was not arrested nor detained. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
http://ncronline.org/news/women-religious/maryknoll-priest-who-backs-womens-ordination-detained-vatican
NCR "The demonstrators, including two women who claimed to be priests and one a deacon, walked from Castel Sant'Angelo to St. Peter's Square carrying banners that said "God is calling women to be priests" and "Ordain Catholic women" while singing and beating a small tambourine."
BMM:The two women are priests: Janice Sevre-Duszynska, Ree Hudson, and Donna Rougeux, a deacon . Interesting that neither the women priests, nor deacon were arrested or detained by police, while Erin Hanna of the Women's Ordination Conference and Miriam Duigian of Womenpriests.org,(neither woman is ordained) were detained as was Fr. Roy. What message is the Vatican sending here?
NCR "Police explained to the group that it was illegal to hold a demonstration without a permit and that it would have been more appropriate to have called Vatican officials ahead of time in order to deliver the petition.
"It's not like delivering a pizza, you can't just show up" unannounced and without authorization, the undercover police officer said.
"It's a very important pizza," one of the demonstrators shouted."
BMM: Truly, the Vatican is the gift that keeps on giving! Now that explanation really takes the cake, the piazza or whatever!!! This sounds like the dialogue in a comedy late night show like Saturday Night Live. You really could not make this stuff up!
NCR: "Father Bourgeois was told several times by the Italian police that they could not prevent him from entering St. Peter's Square by himself to try to deliver the petition to someone in the Vatican, but the group as a whole and specifically the women dressed as priests could not enter the square because "their form of dress is a form of protest."
BMM: No wonder the Vatican officials in a snit! The Curia cannot abide the sight of women in vestments! If only Fr. Roy showed up a alone without these pesky tambourine playing women priests , all would have beeen well. The doors of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith would swing open and there Cardinal Levada would step out to welcome Roy in for a friendly chat. And of course, accept the 15,000 petitions. (Everyone knows- the rules! No, never must female priests cross into the Vatican, sacred shrine of male domination in the Roman Catholic Church!)
NCR "However, the situation grew tense when police tried to confiscate the group's banners and fliers. Members of the group refused because the vinyl banners cost a lot to produce, one demonstrator explained."
"Because of their refusal to hand over the banners peacefully, Father Bourgeois and two members of the group, Erin Saiz Hanna, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference, and Miriam Duignan of WomenPriests.org, were brought to a nearby Italian police station. They were not arrested and no charges were made against them."
BMM: Come on, can anyone believe, this whole dustup with the police was about vinly banners? Why would the Roman police want banners advertising women priests now? Evidence, you say, really of what? Obviously, the women's presence said it all! What is this about -- gathering sourvenirs for pilgrims? Or hey, wait a minute. could there be something a bit sinister going on here? Is there someone in the Vatican, thinking ahead a hundred years or so, of a banner display in the Vatican museum. Or perhaps, they could be photo copied for holy cards or perhaps, even become relics! Don't laugh! stranger things have happened in the Catholic Church. Just read the history!
Speaking of history or in this case we should say "herstory", Roman Catholic Women Priests may be a revolution to the Vatican but we are a holy shakeup welcomed by millions of Catholics in the church and beyond!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
Janice Sevre-Duszynska, a Roman Catholic Woman Priest, is confronted by Italian police as she approaches St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 17. Fr. Roy participated in her ordination in Lexington, KY in 2008. This prophetic stance resulted in his excommunication. Janice was not arrested nor detained. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
http://ncronline.org/news/women-religious/maryknoll-priest-who-backs-womens-ordination-detained-vatican
NCR "The demonstrators, including two women who claimed to be priests and one a deacon, walked from Castel Sant'Angelo to St. Peter's Square carrying banners that said "God is calling women to be priests" and "Ordain Catholic women" while singing and beating a small tambourine."
BMM:The two women are priests: Janice Sevre-Duszynska, Ree Hudson, and Donna Rougeux, a deacon . Interesting that neither the women priests, nor deacon were arrested or detained by police, while Erin Hanna of the Women's Ordination Conference and Miriam Duigian of Womenpriests.org,(neither woman is ordained) were detained as was Fr. Roy. What message is the Vatican sending here?
NCR "Police explained to the group that it was illegal to hold a demonstration without a permit and that it would have been more appropriate to have called Vatican officials ahead of time in order to deliver the petition.
"It's not like delivering a pizza, you can't just show up" unannounced and without authorization, the undercover police officer said.
"It's a very important pizza," one of the demonstrators shouted."
BMM: Truly, the Vatican is the gift that keeps on giving! Now that explanation really takes the cake, the piazza or whatever!!! This sounds like the dialogue in a comedy late night show like Saturday Night Live. You really could not make this stuff up!
NCR: "Father Bourgeois was told several times by the Italian police that they could not prevent him from entering St. Peter's Square by himself to try to deliver the petition to someone in the Vatican, but the group as a whole and specifically the women dressed as priests could not enter the square because "their form of dress is a form of protest."
BMM: No wonder the Vatican officials in a snit! The Curia cannot abide the sight of women in vestments! If only Fr. Roy showed up a alone without these pesky tambourine playing women priests , all would have beeen well. The doors of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith would swing open and there Cardinal Levada would step out to welcome Roy in for a friendly chat. And of course, accept the 15,000 petitions. (Everyone knows- the rules! No, never must female priests cross into the Vatican, sacred shrine of male domination in the Roman Catholic Church!)
NCR "However, the situation grew tense when police tried to confiscate the group's banners and fliers. Members of the group refused because the vinyl banners cost a lot to produce, one demonstrator explained."
"Because of their refusal to hand over the banners peacefully, Father Bourgeois and two members of the group, Erin Saiz Hanna, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference, and Miriam Duignan of WomenPriests.org, were brought to a nearby Italian police station. They were not arrested and no charges were made against them."
BMM: Come on, can anyone believe, this whole dustup with the police was about vinly banners? Why would the Roman police want banners advertising women priests now? Evidence, you say, really of what? Obviously, the women's presence said it all! What is this about -- gathering sourvenirs for pilgrims? Or hey, wait a minute. could there be something a bit sinister going on here? Is there someone in the Vatican, thinking ahead a hundred years or so, of a banner display in the Vatican museum. Or perhaps, they could be photo copied for holy cards or perhaps, even become relics! Don't laugh! stranger things have happened in the Catholic Church. Just read the history!
Speaking of history or in this case we should say "herstory", Roman Catholic Women Priests may be a revolution to the Vatican but we are a holy shakeup welcomed by millions of Catholics in the church and beyond!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
Maryknoll priest who backs women's ordination detained at Vatican
http://ncronline.org/news/women-religious/maryknoll-priest-who-backs-womens-ordination-detained-vatican
Oct. 17, 2011 
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PDF versionAfter marching up the wide boulevard to St. Peter's Square, Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois and two other demonstrators supporting women's ordination were briefly detained by Italian police.
A group of 18 people, most of them from the United States, were trying to deliver to Vatican officials a petition supporting the ordination of women as Catholic priests.
The petition, signed by 15,000 people, praised the work of Father Bourgeois, who faces possible dismissal from his order and the priesthood for his refusal to recant his continued support for the ordination of women.
The Maryknoll order has issued two canonical warnings to the 73-year-old priest this year. He was excommunicated "latae sententiae" — automatically — in November 2008 after participating in the attempted ordination of Janice Sevre-Duszynska, who was also at the Oct. 17 demonstration in Rome.
Father Bourgeois was still with the Maryknoll Society as the matter was being reviewed, the order said in a written statement to Catholic News Service Oct. 11.
Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois speaks at a press conference in support of women's ordination in Rome Oct. 17.(CNS photo/Paul Haring)The Maryknoll Society said it was aware that Father Bourgeois was traveling to Rome and added, "From the beginning, it has been Maryknoll that has repeatedly attempted to foster communication between Father Bourgeois and the church."
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Father Bourgeois told journalists, "I don't want to be kicked out," but that he was fighting for "what is just" and would accept whatever decision his order made "without anger."
He said the church's ban on the ordination of women "defies reason and defies faith" and had at its roots "the sin of sexism."
The demonstrators, including two women who claimed to be priests and one a deacon, walked from Castel Sant'Angelo to St. Peter's Square carrying banners that said "God is calling women to be priests" and "Ordain Catholic women" while singing and beating a small tambourine.
Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois is helped into a police car following a demonstration in front of the Vatican Oct. 17. (CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters)The Vatican does not allow protests, demonstrations or signs on Vatican property and Italian police did not allow the group to enter St. Peter's Square.
Police explained to the group that it was illegal to hold a demonstration without a permit and that it would have been more appropriate to have called Vatican officials ahead of time in order to deliver the petition.
"It's not like delivering a pizza, you can't just show up" unannounced and without authorization, the undercover police officer said.
"It's a very important pizza," one of the demonstrators shouted.
Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois marches down Via della Conciliazione toward the Vatican during a demonstration in Rome Oct. 17. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)Father Bourgeois was told several times by the Italian police that they could not prevent him from entering St. Peter's Square by himself to try to deliver the petition to someone in the Vatican, but the group as a whole and specifically the women dressed as priests could not enter the square because "their form of dress is a form of protest."
However, the situation grew tense when police tried to confiscate the group's banners and fliers. Members of the group refused because the vinyl banners cost a lot to produce, one demonstrator explained.
Because of their refusal to hand over the banners peacefully, Father Bourgeois and two members of the group, Erin Saiz Hanna, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference, and Miriam Duignan of WomenPriests.org, were brought to a nearby Italian police station. They were not arrested and no charges were made against them.
Janice Sevre-Duszynska, who claims to have been ordained a Catholic priest in 2008 in Lexington, Ky., is engaged by Italian police as she approaches St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 17. She was not arrested nor detained. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Janice Sevre-Duszynska, left, Miriam Duignan and Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois demonstrate in support of women's ordination Oct. 17 near the Vatican in Rome. The U.S. priest, who faces possible dismissal from his order and the priesthood for support of women's ordination, was detained briefly by Italian police outside St. Peter's Square during the demonstration. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF versionAfter marching up the wide boulevard to St. Peter's Square, Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois and two other demonstrators supporting women's ordination were briefly detained by Italian police.A group of 18 people, most of them from the United States, were trying to deliver to Vatican officials a petition supporting the ordination of women as Catholic priests.
The petition, signed by 15,000 people, praised the work of Father Bourgeois, who faces possible dismissal from his order and the priesthood for his refusal to recant his continued support for the ordination of women.
The Maryknoll order has issued two canonical warnings to the 73-year-old priest this year. He was excommunicated "latae sententiae" — automatically — in November 2008 after participating in the attempted ordination of Janice Sevre-Duszynska, who was also at the Oct. 17 demonstration in Rome.
Father Bourgeois was still with the Maryknoll Society as the matter was being reviewed, the order said in a written statement to Catholic News Service Oct. 11.
Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois speaks at a press conference in support of women's ordination in Rome Oct. 17.(CNS photo/Paul Haring)The Maryknoll Society said it was aware that Father Bourgeois was traveling to Rome and added, "From the beginning, it has been Maryknoll that has repeatedly attempted to foster communication between Father Bourgeois and the church." NCR - October 14, 2011
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He said the church's ban on the ordination of women "defies reason and defies faith" and had at its roots "the sin of sexism."
The demonstrators, including two women who claimed to be priests and one a deacon, walked from Castel Sant'Angelo to St. Peter's Square carrying banners that said "God is calling women to be priests" and "Ordain Catholic women" while singing and beating a small tambourine.
Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois is helped into a police car following a demonstration in front of the Vatican Oct. 17. (CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters)The Vatican does not allow protests, demonstrations or signs on Vatican property and Italian police did not allow the group to enter St. Peter's Square. Police explained to the group that it was illegal to hold a demonstration without a permit and that it would have been more appropriate to have called Vatican officials ahead of time in order to deliver the petition.
"It's not like delivering a pizza, you can't just show up" unannounced and without authorization, the undercover police officer said.
"It's a very important pizza," one of the demonstrators shouted.
Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois marches down Via della Conciliazione toward the Vatican during a demonstration in Rome Oct. 17. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)Father Bourgeois was told several times by the Italian police that they could not prevent him from entering St. Peter's Square by himself to try to deliver the petition to someone in the Vatican, but the group as a whole and specifically the women dressed as priests could not enter the square because "their form of dress is a form of protest." However, the situation grew tense when police tried to confiscate the group's banners and fliers. Members of the group refused because the vinyl banners cost a lot to produce, one demonstrator explained.
Because of their refusal to hand over the banners peacefully, Father Bourgeois and two members of the group, Erin Saiz Hanna, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference, and Miriam Duignan of WomenPriests.org, were brought to a nearby Italian police station. They were not arrested and no charges were made against them.
Janice Sevre-Duszynska, who claims to have been ordained a Catholic priest in 2008 in Lexington, Ky., is engaged by Italian police as she approaches St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 17. She was not arrested nor detained. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)Monday, October 17, 2011
Catholics campaigning for women priests detained at Vatican
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/17/idUS402290250120111017
(Father Roy Bougeois from Georgia (2nd R) poses with a group of Roman Catholic activist in front of the Vatican October 17, 2011S/Max Rossi)
Roman Police Did Not Arrest Roman Catholic Women Priests
Monday, October 17, 2011
Erin Hanna, from Women's Ordination Conference, One of Two Women Arrested in Rome today/Roman Police Did Not Arrest Roman Catholic Women Priests
Erin Hanna, Executive director of Women's Ordination, was arrested in Rome today and Miriam, a translator, with Fr. Roy Bourgeois. The police did not arrest Roman Catholic Women Priests Janice Sevre-Duszynska and Ree Hudson or Deacon Donna Rougeux because they were vested in liturgical attire! This is one for the history books!
Bridget Mary Meehan
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
Erin Hanna, from Women's Ordination Conference, One of Two Women Arrested in Rome today/Roman Police Did Not Arrest Roman Catholic Women Priests
Erin Hanna, Executive director of Women's Ordination, was arrested in Rome today and Miriam, a translator, with Fr. Roy Bourgeois. The police did not arrest Roman Catholic Women Priests Janice Sevre-Duszynska and Ree Hudson or Deacon Donna Rougeux because they were vested in liturgical attire! This is one for the history books!
Bridget Mary Meehan
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
sofiabmm@aol.com
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Bishop Marie Bouclin Becomes First Roman Catholic Canadian Woman Bishop
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 
(left to right: Deacon Donna Rougeux,
Priest Janice Sevre-Duszynska from Association
of Roman Catholic Women Priests
were present at historic ordination of first Canadian
woman ordained a bishop by the Roman Catholic Women
Priests Movement on Sunday in Stuggart, Germany.
Bishop Gisela Forster ,one of the Danube 7, is standing behind Marie and Janice in the background.)
(Left to right)
Deacon Donna Rougeux, Bishop Patricia Fresen,
Priest Janice Sevre-Duszynska
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Warm wishes and blessings from the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests to Marie Bouclin, the first Roman Catholic Canadian Woman Bishop! May the Roman Catholic Women Priests Initiative continue to bloom and grow in Canada!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
Bishop Marie Bouclin Becomes First Roman Catholic Canadian Woman Bishop
(left to right: Deacon Donna Rougeux,
Priest Janice Sevre-Duszynska from Association
of Roman Catholic Women Priests
were present at historic ordination of first Canadian
woman ordained a bishop by the Roman Catholic Women
Priests Movement on Sunday in Stuggart, Germany.
Bishop Gisela Forster ,one of the Danube 7, is standing behind Marie and Janice in the background.)
(Left to right)
Deacon Donna Rougeux, Bishop Patricia Fresen,
Priest Janice Sevre-Duszynska
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Warm wishes and blessings from the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests to Marie Bouclin, the first Roman Catholic Canadian Woman Bishop! May the Roman Catholic Women Priests Initiative continue to bloom and grow in Canada!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/
From Bridgetmarysblogspot.com
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Supreme Court justices find government line in church-state case 'amazing'
This is a great case-the ultimate question is, "Do individuals give up thier civil and human rights when they work in a "religious system"?
Question 1. So if discrimination in the workplace is not based in doctrine, but in a tradition of "bullying" women to maintain their elite status, should the government take interest? dd
Question 2. Regarding the issue of doctrine-if gender bias is based in a century-old tradition of criminal behaviors that break the rule of law, and individuals come to civil authorities with civil wrongs, should the courts not pay attention? dd
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2011/1005/Supreme-Court-justices-find-government-line-in-church-state-case-amazing/(page)/2
From the article....
"Justice Stephen Breyer asked Kruger how the government differentiated between Perich’s Lutheran case and the case of a woman who might sue the Catholic Church for gender discrimination for limiting the priesthood to men.
“The government’s general interest in eradicating discrimination in the workplace is simply not sufficient to justify changing the way that the Catholic Church chooses its priests, based on gender roles that are rooted in religious doctrine,” Kruger said."
“You think that the Catholic doctrine is older, stronger and entitled to more respect than the Lutheran doctrine,” Justice Alito said.
Kruger disagreed. “The government’s interest in preventing retaliation against those who would go to civil authorities with civil wrongs is foundational to the rule of law,” she said.
Question 1. So if discrimination in the workplace is not based in doctrine, but in a tradition of "bullying" women to maintain their elite status, should the government take interest? dd
Question 2. Regarding the issue of doctrine-if gender bias is based in a century-old tradition of criminal behaviors that break the rule of law, and individuals come to civil authorities with civil wrongs, should the courts not pay attention? dd
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2011/1005/Supreme-Court-justices-find-government-line-in-church-state-case-amazing/(page)/2
From the article....
"Justice Stephen Breyer asked Kruger how the government differentiated between Perich’s Lutheran case and the case of a woman who might sue the Catholic Church for gender discrimination for limiting the priesthood to men.
“The government’s general interest in eradicating discrimination in the workplace is simply not sufficient to justify changing the way that the Catholic Church chooses its priests, based on gender roles that are rooted in religious doctrine,” Kruger said."
“You think that the Catholic doctrine is older, stronger and entitled to more respect than the Lutheran doctrine,” Justice Alito said.
Kruger disagreed. “The government’s interest in preventing retaliation against those who would go to civil authorities with civil wrongs is foundational to the rule of law,” she said.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Renewed Vision of Priesthood-Two Great Women Priests- One Deacon- Follow the Christ's Call
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
"Fear of Freedom" by Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea, ARCWP
Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea
FEAR OF FREEDOM
"The Truth will make vou free" John 8:32
Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea ARCWP
She was standing in the doorway of the exit from the women's prison, looking; spread out in front of her was the city, with its lights and colors. It was Christmas. Nobody was expecting her; they had just given her the ticket to freedom". She had no where to go. She had been deprived of liberty for 12 years... She had experienced all the unpleasantness that one lives through in a prison. The hardest -the marginalization, the rejection, the lack of affection. In a few short seconds everything passed like a movie through Rosa's brain.; nevertheless, she looks back, and sees the prison building, where she has lived all kinds of improprieties and feels like she wants to go back inside. Rosahas lost the sense of freedom; she is a wounded bird; they have clipped her wings; she has forgotten how to fly. Sheis afraid of Freedom! Where did her self-esteem go? Her dignity? Often she experienced profound depression; her tears have dried up; she looks lost. Her body trembles from headto foot; she has lost weight; she has lost stability. She spoke with the chaplain. She shared her tragedy and disgrace, the blows and injustices as well: "I'll seehow I can help you" was the response of God's representative. Once in a while she saw him around, but he never asked about her. Even the chaplain is afraid to speak out, he doesn't want to get involved; he cannot get past the threat of the loss of his official position. Many others like Rosa are living through the same situation. Depressed, paralyzed by anxiety, a psychiatrist is brought in to "help". Suddenly a cry is heard from the patio: "Come and get your meds!" There are many who approach the nurse, it's a wonder there aren't more. "Open and swallow," says the nurse. They must be taken in front of her, because the full prescription can't be administered. Those who dare, try to alleviate their aches and pains with 250 mg of Valproico or Valprosid. Rosa is about to leave; she is there at the door. She can't go back into the prison. Without knowing where to go, she begins to walk toward "the prison of freedom". A prison that doesn't welcome, give affection or security. It's the ooprison"of society, family and religion, which disdains, condemns, singles out, marginalizes her and receives her with hostility. Suddenly she remembers some friends who have already gotten out and with whom she once lived another reality; she begins to look for them on the street they mentioned and she heads there. What joy! She meets up with Laura and with Maria; at least she is acquainted with them and she has someone to talk to. They share what they have: "Come, you can rcst; tomorrow we'll keep talking" they said to her. Rosa, rested, her friends help her to summon the strength to confront the new prison''. She starts the battle to find housing and work to survive.... No vacancy ,No room, No job,, *Full up", No...No… Those of us who have traveled in the city of Medellin, prideo of Colombia have been able to see through the windows not only the beautiful city, the Festival of Flowers, but also many Rosas camped at the bank of the Medellin River, in the sewers, in improvised canopies beneath the mango trees... Without knowing their stories, we call them: delinquents, or rejects; don't mess with them; they are dangerous.... Thank God, today the Bordado a Mano (Hand-embroidered)Foundation exists, created by a woman who is an ex-convict and who like the hand of God has gone little by little searching out and rescuing her fellow former prisoners from the dregs, giving them the opportunity to recover their dignity and be witness to the Tenderness and Goodness of God, in the project of the Kingdom of God, which is coming to be Here and Now. *THE TAX COLLECTORS AND THE PROSTITUTES WILL GO AHEAD OF YOU II{TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD." Matthew 2l:28-31 Mother/Father God, your forgiveness, I dare to ask: when you say "The tax collectors and the prostitutes" (two words which include the least valued in this world) were you referring to these brothers and sisters of ours? I await your answer and I know that I already have it. Note: Out of respect for the suffering of these women, I have used fictitious names.
"The Truth will make vou free" John 8:32
Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea ARCWP
She was standing in the doorway of the exit from the women's prison, looking; spread out in front of her was the city, with its lights and colors. It was Christmas. Nobody was expecting her; they had just given her the ticket to freedom". She had no where to go. She had been deprived of liberty for 12 years... She had experienced all the unpleasantness that one lives through in a prison. The hardest -the marginalization, the rejection, the lack of affection. In a few short seconds everything passed like a movie through Rosa's brain.; nevertheless, she looks back, and sees the prison building, where she has lived all kinds of improprieties and feels like she wants to go back inside. Rosahas lost the sense of freedom; she is a wounded bird; they have clipped her wings; she has forgotten how to fly. Sheis afraid of Freedom! Where did her self-esteem go? Her dignity? Often she experienced profound depression; her tears have dried up; she looks lost. Her body trembles from headto foot; she has lost weight; she has lost stability. She spoke with the chaplain. She shared her tragedy and disgrace, the blows and injustices as well: "I'll seehow I can help you" was the response of God's representative. Once in a while she saw him around, but he never asked about her. Even the chaplain is afraid to speak out, he doesn't want to get involved; he cannot get past the threat of the loss of his official position. Many others like Rosa are living through the same situation. Depressed, paralyzed by anxiety, a psychiatrist is brought in to "help". Suddenly a cry is heard from the patio: "Come and get your meds!" There are many who approach the nurse, it's a wonder there aren't more. "Open and swallow," says the nurse. They must be taken in front of her, because the full prescription can't be administered. Those who dare, try to alleviate their aches and pains with 250 mg of Valproico or Valprosid. Rosa is about to leave; she is there at the door. She can't go back into the prison. Without knowing where to go, she begins to walk toward "the prison of freedom". A prison that doesn't welcome, give affection or security. It's the ooprison"of society, family and religion, which disdains, condemns, singles out, marginalizes her and receives her with hostility. Suddenly she remembers some friends who have already gotten out and with whom she once lived another reality; she begins to look for them on the street they mentioned and she heads there. What joy! She meets up with Laura and with Maria; at least she is acquainted with them and she has someone to talk to. They share what they have: "Come, you can rcst; tomorrow we'll keep talking" they said to her. Rosa, rested, her friends help her to summon the strength to confront the new prison''. She starts the battle to find housing and work to survive.... No vacancy ,No room, No job,, *Full up", No...No… Those of us who have traveled in the city of Medellin, prideo of Colombia have been able to see through the windows not only the beautiful city, the Festival of Flowers, but also many Rosas camped at the bank of the Medellin River, in the sewers, in improvised canopies beneath the mango trees... Without knowing their stories, we call them: delinquents, or rejects; don't mess with them; they are dangerous.... Thank God, today the Bordado a Mano (Hand-embroidered)Foundation exists, created by a woman who is an ex-convict and who like the hand of God has gone little by little searching out and rescuing her fellow former prisoners from the dregs, giving them the opportunity to recover their dignity and be witness to the Tenderness and Goodness of God, in the project of the Kingdom of God, which is coming to be Here and Now. *THE TAX COLLECTORS AND THE PROSTITUTES WILL GO AHEAD OF YOU II{TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD." Matthew 2l:28-31 Mother/Father God, your forgiveness, I dare to ask: when you say "The tax collectors and the prostitutes" (two words which include the least valued in this world) were you referring to these brothers and sisters of ours? I await your answer and I know that I already have it. Note: Out of respect for the suffering of these women, I have used fictitious names.
I will continue to post information about this journey.
Link to "Heart of the Vision" Journey with Janice Sevre Duszynska, Donna Rougeux, Dorothy Irvin in England, Germany, Rome
(left to right:Janice Sevre-Duszynska, Jules Hart, and Donna Rougeux
at showing of "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican" in Lexington Kentucky)
Blessing of Lexington Community on Janice and Donna:http://www.youtube.com/user/HeartoftheVision
Janice Sevre-Duszynska writes:"We'll meet Dorothy Irvin in London for the 100th anniversaryof ST. Joan's International Alliance. Then to Germany to visit Stuttgart and Hildegarde's place in Bingen. By train we'll travel to Bologna and then Rome where we'll meet Ree Hudson who will stay with us. In Rome we'll gather with Roy, CTA and WOC folks to do some good witnessing.We'd appreciate your prayers. I'll be videoing our journey. " Here is the link to my youtube station: Heart of the Vision.http://www.youtube.com/user/HeartoftheVision
Janice Sevre-Duszynska writes:"We'll meet Dorothy Irvin in London for the 100th anniversaryof ST. Joan's International Alliance. Then to Germany to visit Stuttgart and Hildegarde's place in Bingen. By train we'll travel to Bologna and then Rome where we'll meet Ree Hudson who will stay with us. In Rome we'll gather with Roy, CTA and WOC folks to do some good witnessing.We'd appreciate your prayers. I'll be videoing our journey. " Here is the link to my youtube station: Heart of the Vision.http://www.youtube.com/user/HeartoftheVision
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