Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Rejoice in “Holy Shake-Up”

Press Release: July 28, 2011

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests 
Janice Sevre-Duszynska
rhythmsofthedance@msn.com
859-684-4247
Bridget Mary Meehan
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004
Judy Lee
judyabl@embarqmail.com
239-454-7426

“Holy Shakeup: Catholic Clergy and Hierarchy Join Catholics Worldwide in Support of Women Priests” 

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests  rejoice in a “holy shakeup” that millions of Catholics world -wide welcome. The good news now is that male priests, bishops, a cardinal as well as theologians have expressed their support of female priests. They are following in the footsteps of Maryknoll Roy Bourgeois whose prophetic call for a dialogue on women priests is being heard in more and more places today in our church. 

A new documentary, Pink Smoke Over the Vatican , shares the stories of some of these women who have found a way to serve God’s people as women priests including Janice Sevre-Duszynska who was ordained in Lexington, Kentucky in 2008. Fr. Roy Bourgeois attended, delivered the homily and participated in the ordination rite. This resulted in his excommunication and Vatican attempts to pressure Maryknoll to dismiss him from the Order.  

"Nothing can stop the movement of the spirit toward human rights, justice and equality in our world and in our church" said Bridget Mary Meehan, "the full equality of women is the voice of
God in our time."
 
Here is a list of top church leaders who have joined the wave of enthusiasm for female priests:
 
—Cardinal Jose da Cruz Policarpo of Lisbon, Portugal has said there’s "no fundamental theological obstacle"  to the ordination of women as priests in the Catholic Church.

—300 Austrian priests issued a "Call to Disobedience"  to promote priesthood for women and married men.  The Austrian priests and deacons read aloud a public prayer for "church reform" in every Mass.

—Over 250 German speaking theologians called for end to celibacy and women’s ordination .
 
—Over 150 Catholic priests have signed on to a letter in support of Maryknoll priest , Fr. Roy Bourgeois, who has been told to recant his support for women’s ordination or be removed from the priesthood. The letter that affirms primacy of conscience was delivered, Friday, July 22nd, to Fr. Edward Dougherty, Superior General of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in Maryknoll, NY. 

—Bishop Markus Buchel, bishop of the diocese of St. Gall in Switzerland spoke out openly for women’s ordination on Easter Sunday/2011 in an explosive statement  in the St. Galler Pfarreiblatt [St. Gall Parish Paper]. He said:: "We must search for steps that lead there," "I could imagine that women’s diaconate could be such a step."Regarding priesthood for women, Büchel said, "We can pray that the Holy Spirit enables us to read the signs of the times." Source

— Bishop William Morris, from Australia, was forced to resign by the Vatican for wanting to discuss married priests and women priests as a possible response to the shortage of priests. The National Council of Priests of Australia released a statement in support of Bishop Morris .

—-A male priest co-celebrated the ordination liturgy of Marta Soto, the first woman priest ordained in Latin America .
 
— Women priests continue to grow. The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests will ordain 3 women in the first ordinations in Virginia on Sept. 10, 2011. .

— The Vatican is in free fall. On July 20, 2011, Prime Minister of Ireland, Enda Kenny accused the Vatican   of covering up child- sexual abuse allegations against clergy and of "downplaying" the "rape and torture of children" to uphold its reputation and referred to the "dysfunction, disconnection and elitism, the narcissism that dominates the culture of the Vatican to this day.”

Women priests are a holy shakeup, that offer a renewed priestly ministry of living the Gospel of justice for all and justice for women in the church! Now our brothers in the Catholic clergy and hierarchy are joining us as companions on the journey.

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is in the United States and Latin America.