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PDF versionWomen's ordination advocates bring message to Vatican embassy
by Thomas C. Fox on Mar. 26, 2010
WOC supporters in front of the Vatican embassy in WashingtonThe Vatican embassy in Washington D.C. probably has other matters on its mind with the publication in The New York Times of articles drawing into greater question the pope's role in the handling of clergy sex abusing priests while he headed the Munich archdiocese and while he headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.
Nevertheless, embassy staffers looking out the embassy window yesterday had to contend with some 20 supporters of the Women’s Ordination Conference who were there with signs to celebrate the 16th Annual World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination.
WOC members made the point that this year’s day of prayer coincides with the Vatican declared "Year of the Priest" - a year of honoring the priesthood that ends with a jubilee celebration at St. Peter's this June.
“Now, let's be clear,” a WOC statement read. “Nowhere in this celebration will you see the name of any womanpriest, married priest, or openly gay or lesbian priest. To the Vatican, there is really only one kind of priest - the celibate male type who is ordained in a specific fashion.”
WOC lamented that the Vatican continues to refuse to recognize the calls of those who do not fit their mold – “women, married people, gays, lesbians, and many others.”
“Today on the 16th Annual World Day of Prayer for Women's Ordination,” a WOC statement read. “We are called to put forth a renewed image of the priesthood - one that is inclusive and welcoming of women's leadership. When women are full and equal partners in every aspect of the Catholic Church, only then, will the Roman Catholic Church be associated with accountability, transparency and justice rather than hierarchy, exclusion, and scandal. Until then, we will continue to raise our collective voices and organize actions that will bring our church closer to the gospel values of Jesus.”
Founded in 1975, the Women's Ordination Conference is the oldest and largest organization that works on behalf of the ordination of women as priests, deacons and bishops into an inclusive and accountable Catholic church.
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Amazing how well this annual
Amazing how well this annual single day event for 20 people was so skillfully arranged to "coincide" with the YEAR of the priest. Perhaps more amazing that a group of 20 protesters got a headline in the "National" Catholic Reporter.
The WOC is right though I
The WOC is right though I doubt their demonstation made a dent on the nuncio or any other church authorities. No openness whatsoever.
'When women are full and
'When women are full and equal partners in every aspect of the Catholic Church..."
Are you able to provide details on what the Women's Ordination Conference is doing about the injustice of men not being able to conceive babies?
After all we are after equality here, and if that means doing the same jobs then the church must grant men the right to bear children!
May God bless you all! Do not
May God bless you all!
Do not give up hope that the priesthood of God will, one day, truly reflect and represent the people of God. Go forth knowing that we serve a God who knows no gender, no race, and no orientation. Go forth in peace to serve our God!
Thank you, WOC, for always
Thank you, WOC, for always speaking out in support of justice. You are truly prophetic!
Glad to see WOC taking a
Glad to see WOC taking a stand for what is right and needed right now. With all this scandal, good to see organizations like WOC still at it and being a voice for justice.
I am an ordained Catholic
I am an ordained Catholic woman priest in the Ecumenical Catholic Communion. The call to priesthood is a response following years of academics, spiritual mentoring, and listening beyond my Roman Catholic up bringing. God understands the need for both men and women priests. One sex alone cannot serve adequately the needs of the faith community. Working together as women and male ordained much could be added to the arena of trust and cooperation. Actually listening to and hearing each other would be sound theology. The concept of decision making inclusive of all is worth taking the risk for. Identifying and affirming the gifts given to both sexes, bridging barriers that keep us apart, could only bring healthy chanages that would meet the needs of the people today. In 2002 I stepped away from the Roman Male Dialogue because I was not included as a female. My education hope of learning the language did not open doors for me. However, I stayed true to the call in my heart, and today I am a street priest ministering to those in the market place. As Jesus said, "we played for you but you would not sing. We danced for you but you would not dance." I am a priest in good standing and it is right. May women who have a calling be able to chart their course and remain true into their full ordination as Catholic Women Priests and Deacons.
As a woman, I am very proud
As a woman, I am very proud of you. I agree that the catholic church has
excluded woman for too long. Being a nun is great, but some are just servants to the priests. Let us be equal once and for all.
Thank you for being courages enough to take the plunge into the future of the
catholic church.
I have been a catholic all my life, but now I am ashamed of what was and is
going on. All the cover-ups instead of the punishments that should have been
delivered. All the lives that the priests have ruined. Some days I really
question my faith, and then I remember that the hirearchy don't mean a thing
It is JESUS that I love.
Keep up the good work!!!!!
phyllis
The Catholic Church will
The Catholic Church will either let the Holy Spirit move through,and with it, or the old controllers will cling so tight to politics and dogma that it will collapse by its own weight, and allow something beautiful to rise up out of the ashes that celebrates all people and continues to serve all people. There is always the possiblity of a big screen TV in all Churches with one elderly male priest from some unknown location speaking and then special wafers blessed out of state are flown in for distribution to the faithful, during Mass. Its all so silly, if a woman has the passion and training to be a shepherd for her community let her serve. This is a new World, not mid-evil times where the church had total control and no one EVER questioned abuse or dared to speak out against a Priest. But many have betrayed this Sacred Trust, and now they must live with the fact, they arent perfect or some not even close to Jesus. Power is a true test of strength and humility that many in leadership fail because of the powerful Ego that dictates to them.
I DEMAND to serve you. And if
I DEMAND to serve you. And if you don't want me to serve you, you are exclusionary. After all, who are YOU to dictate who you want to serve you?
If the Church is wrong about
If the Church is wrong about her stance towards the priesthood, then the Church is not being guided by the Holy Spirit. Why would someone want to be a priestess in such a Church?
"If the Church is wrong about
"If the Church is wrong about her stance towards
the priesthood, then the Church is not being guided
by the Holy Spirit. Why would someone want to be a
priestess in such a Church?" (submitted by Anonymous)
At first I thought that was a good question.
Many times I have wondered why
remain a Catholic Lay Woman. But in reflection,
Jesus remained a Jew, even though he came
to make all things new! I remain a U. S. citizen,
even though many times I don't agree with some of
it's policies. Reform and renewal must be a part
of all organizations that have a mission worth
staying together over. The mission of the Catholic
Church is to bring all people to Christ's life and
mission of one human family under the rule of love.
Some day all churches and religions will come together
in a realization of this truth. The Spirit will
guide us all, not only men, but women too, not only
Catholics, but the rest of humanity too.
Keep the faith in truth and love and everything will
work out in the end. (Submitted by Concetta Smart)
Manhattan Paper: a) What are
Manhattan Paper:
a) What are the views of the female clergy members, nuns and those seeking to be ordained, on the Manhattan paper?
b) How do they differ?
c) What are the views on the Old Testament vs. Union of Reform Judaism Council of Rabbis?
d) Why should we support petitions for ordination?
Thank you for your time.
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