When I started this blog, I wrote a lot about the Bishops. I am about to do so today, and I want to explain myself. “This is what democracy looks like,” that chant at many demonstrations, echoes in my mind. We are in a power struggle to ordain women. I never object when people say,…
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The first image that comes to mind when I hear “summer solstice” is one of druids, female priests mostly, sliding through darkening forests to host rituals of enthrallment and enchantment. Imagine: women as priests in ancient celebration of the communion of the body and bounty and promise of nature and the blood of life-giving fertility.…
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I am fascinated by the choice of Catholic publications to have long articles on Humanae Vitae (HV), the 1968 encyclical prohibiting any artificial method of birth control. I question whether is it useful to celebrate this anniversary, but then I read a lot and realized even I (ironic shrug) could learn more. NCR’s founding publisher, Robert Hoyt,…
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In this graduation and other end of year tributes season, suppose we in the women’s ordination and church renewal movements actually did receive an award – a prestigious award – and public acclaim – and applause – for what we have done to attain justice for women in the church? After we got over the…
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What I wish is that someone in Rome can get Pope Francis to watch the new documentary, RBG. Those who made this movie have chosen brilliantly from the briefs and opinions of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to express clearly the argument for women’s equality and how any different treatment harms them. For men’s equality, too, and…
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What on earth am I talking about, you well may ask. Happiness: that shallow, ephemeral, fleeting condition? Is that the place to start creating a new church for a new day? And yet, if we did want to go on a journey of envisioning the kind of church full inclusive ministry and leadership might create,…
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From across the pond, as they say, it’s very bold of me to speculate on the meaning of the Irish referendum on #8 to make abortion legal. Probably unwise, too. But that’s never stopped me. And I have been feeling more than thinking about it all. Most interpretations focus on another radical change in a…
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A Catholic Church in our area recently had its bulletin’s cover redesigned to proclaim, in huge letters no less, “ALL ARE WELCOME!” Huh? Really? Welcome maybe to “see the Light” or “the Truth” or to covert. But, I suspect, not to receive all the sacraments, i.e. Holy Eucharist – and for all women, of course,…
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In addition to Ellie Harty’s post in The Table about our Philadelphia demonstrations, most of the articles I am reading this week raise the question: how do things change in our church? Much of this discussion focuses on Juan Carlos Cruz’s report of his meetings with Pope Francis. The crucial quote is: “Look, Juan Carlos,…
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The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.                                                  ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Initially I had a problem with the women’s ordination movement. Perhaps you did, too. As a child and even as a teen and young adult participating in a Catholic Mass, I never felt “less than” nor marginalized nor…
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