Mormons oust Ordain Women's Kate Kelly over women priests

BBC ^ | June 23 2014 | BBC

[PoloSec]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has excommunicated a prominent backer of ordination of women priests, her advocacy group has said.

Kate Kelly, founder of Ordain Women, was notified of the ruling on Monday, a day after a trial by judges in the Mormon Church, Ordain Women said.

The group said the Mormon Church hierarchy deemed her an apostate for her contravention of Church doctrine.

The Utah-based Mormon religion boasts more than 15 million members worldwide.

According to a letter informing her of her excommunication obtained by the Deseret News, a leading Utah newspaper, Ms Kelly will be barred from some acts of church worship for at least a year.

"You are entitled to your views, but you are not entitled to promote them and proselyte others to them while remaining in full fellowship in the Church," wrote Bishop Mark Harrison of Virginia.

She can be readmitted to the fold if she shows "true repentance", including ceasing "teachings and actions that undermine the Church, its leaders, and the doctrine of the priesthood", he wrote. 'Tragic day'

Ms Kelly said the church's decision, taken by an all-male panel of judges, was "exceptionally painful".

[Elsie]

“This is the west, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”