Posted on 06/15/2006 2:51:17 AM PDT by Cavalcabo
On July 31, a dozen well-educated, experienced Roman Catholic women will pass into uncharted spiritual waters on a boat cruising Pittsburgh's rivers.
On that afternoon, three women in vestments will lay their hands on the heads of the 12 women and anoint their hands with oil during an ordination ceremony that will be the first of its kind in the United States.
Among the participants is Joan Clark Houk, 65, of McCandless, who with seven other women are answering a call to be priests; the other four are candidates to be deacons.
It will be the fourth such ceremony in the world since 2002, all unrecognized by the Vatican. The women are part of a growing international movement to push for women's ordination.
The Women's Ordination Conference, based in Fairfax, Va., will announce today its support of the Pittsburgh ceremony, which will be held aboard the Gateway Clipper boat Majestic. Pittsburgh was selected because of its central location.
In a three-page letter dated May 9, Mrs. Houk, a member of St. Alexis in McCandless, advised Bishop Donald Wuerl of her plans. She has received no response. Mrs. Houk also sent a copy of the letter to all 360 priests in the diocese.
"It is a sin for the Church to discriminate against women and to blame God for it," Mrs. Houk wrote.
The Rev. Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, said the church "has determined that the ordination of males is a part of the faith handed down by Christ through his apostles and therefore the church is not free to change it. Ordination to the priesthood can only be conferred on a male."
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
why do people insist on painting a bulls-eye across America?
So they can found their very own Protestant sect and be ministers in it, of course. :-)
These women are Catholic In Name Only. They fall under "latae sententiae", or automatic excommunication. These women either do not know or understand this, or simply don't care. It is likely that a formal excommunication from their bishop, or even the Pope himself would not mean anything to them. They have decided that they will do what they want to, and not what God wants.
Baloney ... The waters of apostasy and excommunication are well charted indeed. Even this particular brand of apostasy and excommunication.
At the very least, the bishops should make a formal announcement of excommunication in all parishes across the US, and clarify the church's position on women's ordination. Every catholic should clearly understand why women can't be priests.
Just because they say so.....doesn't make it so. For example, I hereby declare myself chair of the women's studies department of the Univ. of Texas.
All you grant money belong me.
As a popular expression, you're spot-on. This is a candidate for CfE's "hit the nail on the head" graphic.
As a matter of historical trivia ... Did you know that actual, legitimate, valid "three dollar bills" have been issued in the past:
back when private banks issued most paper currency? This one, however, is more appropriate to these 'ladies':
In this case Baptists (at least the Independent Baptists) and Catholics are singing from the same page. It's one thing to have a friendly (I hope) argument or two on doctrine . . . but if we don't hang together when it comes to the infidels and liberal loons, we will most assuredly hang separately.
My ggg grandfather was a Baptist deacon - he was probably already spinning in his grave at the thought that I was an Episcopalian, but now that I've turned Papist he's probably up to 3800 RPM and red line . . .
The mainstream media is generally ignorant of Catholic issues, theology, spirituality, etc. I work in the press, and I confront their ignorances and prejudices on a daily basis.
Ick. I'm very nearly speechless!
Ditto that.
Well, it is Church doctrine that every word contained in the Canonical epistles is indeed the written Word of God. Paul wrote much of those epistles.
So, you must be referring to people who do not respect this doctrine.
Those would be utterly schismatic, at best, and likely heretical into the bargain.
Not a group which is going to have much pull in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
IMHO.
Or are you referring to some writing by St. Paul NOT contained in Holy Scripture?
Holy frijoles. My core reaction is revulsion at the perversion. Women are not called to be "priests" of any kind, except in terms of evangelization. The "goddess" rosary is absolute idolatry.
Guess I was wrong. Islam must be winning the battle for the hearts and minds.
BTW, in many circles, rosaries (aka "prayer beeds"), in and of themselves, are idolotry.
You have the gift of common sense, my friend. Not many self-described Catholics have it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.