Papal Visit Provokes Array of Protests
By DAVID CRARY – 1 day ago
NEW YORK (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI may not see them or hear them, but aggrieved Roman Catholic activists hope his U.S. visit this week will help them draw attention to issues ranging from the ordination of women and gay rights to sex abuse by priests and the Vatican ban on contraception.
The groups have planned vigils, demonstrations and news conferences to press their causes as the pope visits Washington and New York. On Monday evening, the eve of his arrival, supporters of women’s ordination will host what they are calling “an inclusive Mass” at a Methodist church in Washington, presided over by Catholic women — including two who were recently excommunicated.
“We cannot welcome this pope until he begins to do away with the church’s continuing violence of sexism,” said Sister Donna Quinn, coordinator of the National Coalition of American Nuns.
Participants in the service will include Rose Marie Hudson and Elsie McGrath, who were excommunicated last month by Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis because they were ordained as part of a women-priest movement condemned by the Vatican.
“In the face of one closed door after another, Catholic women have been innovative, courageous and faithful to the church,” said Aisha Taylor, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference. “They continue to make a way where is none.”
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I absolutely love the churlish attention-seeking of these people. They must draw attention to themselves. So what if their new congregation numbers so few people that they can fit in a VW Micro bus? They’ll just drive that micro bus to D.C. and hang out with the other heterodoxers. I shouldn’t have titled this post their “excellent adventure”. It’s more like the sequel: Elsie and Rose’s Bogus Journey.