Posted on 01/23/2010 5:01:26 AM PST by NYer
Inside a red brick house in Falls Church, Bridget Mary Meehan placed a silver chalice of wine and a plate of flatbread on the coffee table in her living room and prepared to lead a sacred, forbidden ceremony.
"As we gather around this table, this intimate little house church table, let us remember that God is raising us up, all of us," she said, smiling at the four worshipers who had come to hear her say Mass.
Three and a half years ago, Meehan joined a group of Catholic women from across the United States known as the Roman Catholic Womenpriests -- ordained as bishops, priests and deacons, sometimes in secret ceremonies, against Vatican law. The first ceremony took place in 2002, when a renegade bishop ordained seven women in a boat on the Danube River near Passau, Germany. Most, if not all members, have been excommunicated.
The group, which has about 70 women, is one of several nationwide gaining support among U.S. Catholics as more of them begin to question the Vatican's stance on women's role in the Church.
"Our goal is to bring about full equality of women in the Roman Catholic Church," said Meehan, 62. "We love the faith. We love the spirituality. That's why we remain Catholic. We are holding disobedience to an unjust law that discriminates against women. We're willing to go the whole mile with the institution on this."
The movement has a strong following in the Washington region.
Last year, Maureen Fiedler, host of "Interfaith Voices" on WAMU (88.5), organized a fundraiser for her radio program with a special address by the Rev. Roy Bourgeois, a Catholic priest facing excommunication for attending a Womenpriests ordination.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Aside from hearing about lewdness, no. In my neck of the woods, younger girls are more into the modesty movement and even in high school would complain about the brainwashing that the sisters were trying to pull. This might well be a matter of experiences in different places.
Problem is...that's what we have always done...retreated.
That said, I think I'm ready for the easy life...let someone else fight on the front lines...in the fields. It's getting lonely out here and I'm getting tired. Most of the women I know just run from the tough spots. I've been to places that most Church going women could never imagine. I think it's a shame. Not saying that is your case.
The truth is, I was lead to do what I've done....at times it feels like a push or a shove. I wish I had an easier cup right now....you have no idea. Where did you say you are located again? :)
Being a convert, this is something I missed out on as a child. I've heard some of my Cradle Catholic friends talk about playing "Mass and Priest" with the help of NECCO.
Not only that, those young nuns are opening new foundations, and giving life to convents that were lacking in numbers. I think the pendulum has/is swinging the other direction.
You wrote:
“The fights I’ve had with other women just over hair length get old.”
Hair length? Somebody actually gave you guff over the length of your hair? Sheesh!
Why is that? If you think everyone else will cave and give up like you did you’re quite mistaken.
One of our own Freeperettes, in her twenties, joined a habited traditional order a few years ago. She wrote a beautiful opus just before she joined. I think and pray for her often.
Right. Post Luther protestants never did anything like that.
The list of "cannot" is so long it would take all day.
That's pretty weak, a drive-by slander, suitably imprecise so as to apply to everyone, wrapped in a nice candy-coated shell.
My Aunt was mean. My bro was great. I wanted to be an altar boy.
I was about 8 when I made a big decision. I went to church...about noon. No one was there. I did the holy water and genuflecting stuff and walked down the aisle to the front rail. I climbed over the rail...and knelt by the bells...Then with the spirit of God in my heart I rang the bells three times...along with the Mea Culpa chant.
Climbed back over the railing and bee lined for the door...of course, stopping to do the Holy Water and genuflecting.
Hit the fresh air...Swear I could hear God laughing!!!
***Is that what happens? These people get paid off to go away? Is that what gays who want to get “married” do as well?
It makes no sense for these people to just keep pushing people to conform to their ideas. ***
You’re the one saying “paid off,” so what pay off are you talking about?
I will pray for her as well.
Female priests? Priestesses.
You’re right Earthdweller. Sorry for my mistake. My post should have gone to Bernard.
If they do (and they won’t), then it would not be the Catholic Church you would be leaving.
Cannot cave. The Church has no authority to ordain them.
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