This is an Assembly on Synodality in support of Pope Francis held live in Rome and Bristol on October 13th and October 14th.
Friday AM
Women in the Italian Church by Dr. Paola Lazzarini Orru - in Italian and English
Friday, October 13, 2023
Thursday, October 12, 2023
At St Priscilla’s Catacomb and St. Praxedis Church in Rome on October 12, 2023
We visited St Priscilla’s Catacomb and St. Praxedis in Rome this morning .
Our tour guide , Francesco, gave the official Vatican interpretation of this fresco as that of a woman getting married and later as a mother with a baby.
But I shared the interpretation of feminist theologians like Dorothy Irvin.
The woman in the center is depicted as praying in orans position is a deacon and the bishop is depicted as ordaining her as a priest. The woman on the right is Mary Mother of Jesus who is depicted in the same clothing as the bishop indicating Mary was regarded by early followers of Jesus as priest.
It was quite a lively but respectful exchange of differing interpretations of this historic second -century fresco.
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| St. Priscilla's Catacomb |
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| St. Praxedis in Rome |
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Roman Catholic Women Priests Participate in Conversations with Catholic Women’s Council and Meet Women Synodal Delegates
On October 9th Roman Catholic Women Priests were invited by the leaders of the Catholic Women’s Council to participate in their international conference held at International Delle Donna Via delle Lungara 19 in Rome.
Three women delegates from the Synod of Synodality shared with us their experiences. Fifty-four women are voting members at this historic meeting.They said that it was a positive experience citing they met at round tables and felt like they were being heard by the bishops in the discussions.
From their perspective, the important question was what are the practical steps the Church can take now to grow in unity, communion and outreach.
After the Synodal delegates left, the women broke into small groups and discussed what were the obstacles to inclusion and what steps could be taken to promote women’s baptismal equality. Mary Theresa and I shared our responses that included the following:
An obstacle is the Misinterpretation of scripture.
Jesus chose only 12 disciples. Women and men were disciples of Jesus. and Mary of Magdala is considered apostle the to the apostles
Obstacle - the Structure of the church and How decisions are made. The structure Stops women from expressing their ideas or their ideas do not go very far.
Obstacle - Attitudes of both Men and women that women are not worthy of ordination. Where Women’s vocation to priesthood is not considered authentic.
Second and third question
Bring women into committees and councils
Promote dialogues between people who think differently.
See Women in the sanctuary preaching homilies - as leaders in the parishes.
Support women issues around the world.
Promote a theology of a non gendered God. Use words like Great Spirit or Holy Mystery so that the great spirit is not only male.
Understand that we are born a blessing and not sinful.
Recognize that women’s bodies are holy and Revisit scripture that denigrates women.
In order to achieve the full equality of women, the Church must open all ordained ministries to women and all genders.
Bridget Mary speaks with Synodal delegates from Africa about Creating a Church for Everyone including Women Priests Priests
Bridget Mary speaks with Synodal delegates from Africa and was surprised by their spirit of openness in listening to women priests creating a Church for everyone!
An Opening that was ultimately a closure, La detención de Christina Moreira muestra la necesidad de desmantelar el clericalismo patriarcal"
https://www.canalextremadura.
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| Christina Moreira ARCWP in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican |
An opening that was ultimately, a closure
Yesterday, I participated in the opening mass of the Synod, seated in the back of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, amidst my beloved people, basking in the faith of the humble, reaffirming that hope and joy continue to flourish in many, although not in all.
I attended the so-called shadow synod, giving voice to the group that I represent here: the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests.
This representation consists of simple and peaceful acts to make our ministries visible and to bear witness to our mortal reality and the desire to share that which “burns inside of us”, which gives us life: the following of Jesus Christ, who sent a Samaritan woman to announce that he was the Messiah to the people of her village and Magdalene to proclaim his resurrection to his brothers. This following, this holy name is everything to us. It is our breath, our strength, our horizon, and our sole purpose: the Path, the Truth, and Life.
That is why I chose to join a group of brave and faithful women, capable of loving to the point of exclusion and punishment by a system that has already been condemned and that urgently requires reform. Yes, this need is urgent. Children's lives are at stake. Together we walk, women and men of good will, working for the Kingdom with small and peaceful tools: words and symbols, prayer…
So yesterday, to make it known that they had a Catholic priest on their side, I dressed in alb (the tunic that all baptized individuals are entitled to wear) and stole, identifying myself as one who is obedient to the order to serve my sisters and brothers: “give them something to eat”.
A police officer appeared, who called other police officers and ultimately, I wound up at Italian police headquarters, where it was assumed that a woman cannot be a priest and that I was usurping a “hábito talar” [sic]. The rest of the uniforms and habits being worn in the square at that time apparently arose no suspicion. After three and a half hours of deliberations by up to eight male officers, they decided to give me a fine and confiscate the robe.
They freed me, unaware that Christ had already done so long ago, especially on a certain day when he too was punished for saying who he was, having his clothes taken away. Clearly, the holier-than-thou haven’t lost their good customs. Using outside forces to carry out their dirty work and to violate the freedoms of expression of others… these are all familiar practices.
I am at peace, having a long program of words and actions ahead of me, with a large group of companions with whom I will walk, sing, pray, and think over the coming days. I attest that we will tackle this Synod and will see where the shadow lies.
From the heart of the so-called Mother Church, I send you blessings and wishes for peace and wellbeing, endless love, and a wide and friendly gaze that is “benevolent and welcoming”, as the Pope requested in his homily.
Your friend and sister,
Christina Moreira Vázquez, on 5 October 2023, in Rome, celebrating the tenth anniversary of her diaconal ordination amongst her Home Novo congregation of A Coruña.An opening that was ultimately, a closure
Yesterday, I participated in the opening mass of the Synod, seated in the back of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, amidst my beloved people, basking in the faith of the humble, reaffirming that hope and joy continue to flourish in many, although not in all.
I attended the so-called shadow synod, giving voice to the group that I represent here: the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests.
This representation consists of simple and peaceful acts to make our ministries visible and to bear witness to our mortal reality and the desire to share that which “burns inside of us”, which gives us life: the following of Jesus Christ, who sent a Samaritan woman to announce that he was the Messiah to the people of her village and Magdalene to proclaim his resurrection to his brothers. This following, this holy name is everything to us. It is our breath, our strength, our horizon, and our sole purpose: the Path, the Truth, and Life.
That is why I chose to join a group of brave and faithful women, capable of loving to the point of exclusion and punishment by a system that has already been condemned and that urgently requires reform. Yes, this need is urgent. Children's lives are at stake. Together we walk, women and men of good will, working for the Kingdom with small and peaceful tools: words and symbols, prayer…
So yesterday, to make it known that they had a Catholic priest on their side, I dressed in alb (the tunic that all baptized individuals are entitled to wear) and stole, identifying myself as one who is obedient to the order to serve my sisters and brothers: “give them something to eat”.
A police officer appeared, who called other police officers and ultimately, I wound up at Italian police headquarters, where it was assumed that a woman cannot be a priest and that I was usurping a “hábito talar” [sic]. The rest of the uniforms and habits being worn in the square at that time apparently arose no suspicion. After three and a half hours of deliberations by up to eight male officers, they decided to give me a fine and confiscate the robe.
They freed me, unaware that Christ had already done so long ago, especially on a certain day when he too was punished for saying who he was, having his clothes taken away. Clearly, the holier-than-thou haven’t lost their good customs. Using outside forces to carry out their dirty work and to violate the freedoms of expression of others… these are all familiar practices.
I am at peace, having a long program of words and actions ahead of me, with a large group of companions with whom I will walk, sing, pray, and think over the coming days. I attest that we will tackle this Synod and will see where the shadow lies.
From the heart of the so-called Mother Church, I send you blessings and wishes for peace and wellbeing, endless love, and a wide and friendly gaze that is “benevolent and welcoming”, as the Pope requested in his homily.
Your friend and sister,
Christina Moreira Vázquez, on 5 October 2023, in Rome, celebrating the tenth anniversary of her diaconal ordination amongst her Home Novo congregation of A Coruña.
From Victorina Pérez Prieto
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Women Priests in Rome - Program for October 11, 2023 at Casa Bonus Pastor
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| From left to right Regina Ladewig RCWP Germany, Cathy Collins ARCWP California, Andrea Grace ARCWP Massachusetts, Christina Moreira ARCWP Spain, , Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, Florida, Christina Mayr-Lumetzberger RCWP Austria, Mary Theresa Streck ARCWP New York, Mary Kay Daniels ARCWP, Iowa |
On October 11, Bridget Mary Meehan, USA, Mary Theresa Streck USA and Christina Moreira -Spain and France - members of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests shared the following program. Included was a power- point program narrated by Olga Lucia Benjumea ARCWP Latin America.
Our sister priests, deacons and candidates in photo- shared their lived experiences with all present. Jim Marsh ARCWP, a priest from New York was also with us and participated in the program.
In attendance were media including a documentary film-maker, leaders from the Women’s Ordination Conference, Women’s Ordination Worldwide , We Are Church International , and the Catholic Women’s Council as well as others from different parts of the world attended the program and closing liturgy.
This Program on Roman Catholic Women Priests was held at Casa Bonus Pastor, a Catholic Seminary in the Diocese in Rome on October 11, 2023
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM meet and greet, interviews with press
10:00 - Opening Prayer
Holy One, you inspire women priests to create a church for everyone where all are welcome to celebrate sacraments. We pray that during this synodal dialog the Roman Catholic Church may truly expand the tent by promoting the full equality of women and all genders in ordained ministry.
May we walk together in a spirit of hope to include all voices and foster your kindom of radical justice, loving inclusion and diversity. Amen.
Opening Song: Courageous Women by Jan Novotka
10:15 - Welcome and Video on Women Priests Redefining Ministry followed by questions and discussion (Bridget Mary Meehan)
10:45 - An Inclusive Catholic Community shares what it means to be church in the 21st Century (Mary Theresa Streck)
https://youtu.be/j4TVKIIUjxE
11:45 - Women priests in Latin America (Olga Lucia Alvarez)
12:00 - Questions and Open Discussion (Team)
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM – lunch, informal discussions and interviews with press.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – repeat of morning program
4:00PM- 4:30PM - Time for Conversations and Interviews
5:30 PM - Women's Ordination Conference film, 'Women Talking,' will be screened, followed by a discussion.
For more information contact:
Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan – sofiabmm.bmm@gmail.com
What's App: +1 703-505-0004
Rev. Dr. Mary Theresa Streck – mtstreck@gmail.com
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
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