Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

(Excommunicated Catholic) Priest takes church to task for not ordaining women
Boston.com ^ | August 23, 2009 | Michael Paulson

Posted on 08/24/2009 6:14:17 AM PDT by NYer

WESTON - A prominent priest whose support for women’s ordination has him in trouble with the Catholic Church ratcheted up his confrontation with the hierarchy yesterday, calling the church’s refusal to ordain women a “scandal’’ and “spiritual violence.’’

“I will not be silenced on this issue,’’ said the priest, the Rev. Roy Bourgeois, to about 100 people in Weston at an event hosted by the congregation of Jean Marchant, a former staffer for the Archdiocese of Boston who claims she was ordained as a priest in an unsanctioned ceremony four years ago.

The Catholic Church views Marchant and Bourgeois as having been automatically excommunicated for participating in unsanctioned ordination ceremonies.

Yesterday Bourgeois said he remained unclear about his status because he has had no formal communication from his order, the Maryknoll Fathers, or from the Vatican, which last fall told him he would face excommunication if he did not recant.

“If they choose to kick me out of the church because I believe that men and women are equal, so be it,’’ Bourgeois said. “I will never be at peace being in any organization that would exclude others.

“What’s going on in our church today is spiritual assassination, it’s spiritual violence being done that’s inexcusable. That is a scandal,’’ he said.

The Archdiocese of Boston yesterday declined to comment on the event in Weston, referring instead to a statement it issued last year saying, “The ordination of men to the priesthood is not merely a matter of practice or discipline within the Catholic Church, but rather, it is part of the unalterable Deposit of Faith handed down by Christ through his apostles.’’


(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Ministry/Outreach; Worship
KEYWORDS: bourgeois; catholic; priesthood
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-23 last
To: Northern Yankee

Well, why stop there? Why not claim that she is also a saint, beatified in an unsanctioned ceremony, ROTFLOL!


21 posted on 08/24/2009 6:46:55 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Victoria Delsoul
Exactly right.

Do these people not understand what obedience is all about?

How in the world can you live your faith without being obedient to the word of God?

I remember a priest who said it wasn't atheism that scares him in today's world. It's the attitude "God thinks like I think" philosophy.

22 posted on 08/25/2009 3:49:23 AM PDT by Northern Yankee (Freedom Needs A Soldier)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: NYer
(Excommunicated Catholic) Priest takes church to task for not ordaining women

Because THEN he would have honored his Holy Orders?

23 posted on 08/25/2009 9:11:53 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever (Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia, et ubi ecclesia vita eterna!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-23 last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson