• About

Saint Louis Catholic

~ Unabashedly Catholic News and Views

Saint Louis Catholic

Daily Archives: July 17, 2008

The Lears Decree Raises a Question

17 Thursday Jul 2008

Posted by thetimman in Faith Matters, General Catholic News/Opinion, Local Catholic News

≈ 12 Comments

I had read the Decree of Extra-Judicial Adjudication in the matter of Sr. Louise Lears when it first was promulgated on the 26th of June. However, a reader who read it in the St. Louis Review, where it was published last Friday, pointed out some very intriguing language that raises an interesting question about Sr. Lears.

On page 2, the Archbishop’s decree states, in its recitation for the considerations requiring the decree, in relevant part:

“Considering:… 2) that anyone …who publicly, as a woman, imposes hands on another woman, in reply to the invitation extended to ordained ministers to do so…
Now, this language prompts some reflection. The decree recites this consideration as a reason for its issuance. Therefore, it suggests (at the very least) that Sr. Lears laid hands on McGrath and Hudson in the fake ordination ceremony. So far, this is not surprising. Progressives seem to like to lay hands on people and give blessings in all sorts of situations.

However, if Sr. Lears came forth and imposed her hands on the sorta-nands after an invitation to “ordained ministers” to do so was issued, it raises the question: Was Sr. Lears the subject of an attempted ordination herself?

In one sense, of course, someone might consider herself an “ordained minister” if she has a particular ministry assigned to her (like DRE, or “pastoral team” member) and thus she was “ordained” in a general sense to fulfill this ministry.

Or she might have been the subject of an attempted “ordination” to the priesthood herself.

While the language does raise suspicion on this front, it is certainly not conclusive. If there were proof of a public ceremony ordaining Sr. Lears one would presume the decree would have specifically covered it, and that the penalty would be more severe than interdict.

Unless Lears herself comes forward to address the issue or someone who may have witnessed something relevant does instead, we cannot know for sure. Perhaps someone close to her will give this information to NCR.

In the meantime, I spoke with Aisha Taylor, the Executive Director for the Women’s Ordination Conference, and asked her if she were aware of any putative ordination of Sr. Lears. She said there was no public putative ordination of Sr. Lears of which she knew. When I asked her if there may have been a private ceremony, she very politely suggested that I ask Sr. Lears, but she knew of none.

It is just a question. But one, I think, worth asking.

Unabashedly Catholic News and Views

This site is dedicated to our Blessed Mother, and I ask for her maternal help and protection.
cestello Ego mater pulchrae dilectionis, et timoris, et agnitionis, et sanctae spei. In me gratia omnis viae et veritatis: in me omnis spes vitae et virtutis.

Blogroll

  • Archdiocese of Saint Louis
  • Barnhardt
  • Bongino Report
  • Canon 212
  • Catholic Movie Guy
  • Children of God for Life
  • Fisheaters
  • Fr. Hunwicke's Mutual Enrichment
  • Gab Trends
  • Ignatius His Conclave
  • Latin Vulgate/English Translation Site
  • Rorate Caeli
  • Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer
  • STLToday
  • Stumbling Block
  • The Badger Catholic
  • The Remnant
  • Thesaurus Precum Latinarum

Recent Comments

thetimman on Strike Another Match, Go Start…
ATW on Strike Another Match, Go Start…
mortiz356 on Strike Another Match, Go Start…
thetimman on Strike Another Match, Go Start…
Canon212 Update: Men… on Strike Another Match, Go Start…

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 81 other followers

Recent Posts

  • Strike Another Match, Go Start Anew
  • Breaking: Approved Content Now Available
  • 2021, Fatima, and Right Reason
  • The Truth Indeed
  • Katie Hopkins Posting from D.C.

Blogs I Follow

  • TxTradCatholic
  • Catholic Movie Guy
  • actions speak louder
  • Local Travel Junkie
  • The Party's Over
  • Saint Louis Catholic
  • WordPress.com

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007

Top Posts

  • Strike Another Match, Go Start Anew
  • News from the Oratory
  • 2021, Fatima, and Right Reason
  • Breaking: Approved Content Now Available
  • People with Spines React to a Scamdemic Lockdown
  • Archbishop Carlson's Installation Mass Set for June 10, 2009--UPDATED
  • Archbishop Carlson's Installation Mass Set for June 10, 2009--UPDATED
  • …
  • Notes from the Bowl, Vol. I: "The Contraception Mandate"
  • Simple, Practical Steps to Increase the Reverence of the Ordinary Form of Mass

Blog Stats (add 2,240,581 from blogspot, 2007-18)

  • 186,687 hits
July 2008
S M T W T F S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Jun   Aug »

“YOU ARE THE ONES WHO ARE HAPPY; YOU WHO REMAIN WITHIN THE CHURCH BY YOUR FAITH, WHO HOLD FIRMLY TO THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE FAITH WHICH HAS COME DOWN TO YOU FROM APOSTOLIC TRADITION. AND IF AN EXECRABLE JEALOUSY HAS TRIED TO SHAKE IT ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, IT HAS NOT SUCCEEDED. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE BROKEN AWAY FROM IT IN THE PRESENT CRISIS. NO ONE, EVER, WILL PREVAIL AGAINST YOUR FAITH, BELOVED BROTHERS. AND WE BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL GIVE US OUR CHURCHES BACK SOME DAY.”

— ST. ATHANASIUS

Blog at WordPress.com.

TxTradCatholic

Catholic Movie Guy

Because Catholics Like Movies Too

actions speak louder

a blog stating actions speak more loudly than words. go figure.

Local Travel Junkie

Addicted to travel, not the tour groups.

The Party's Over

The Blog with Less and Less to Say

Saint Louis Catholic

Unabashedly Catholic News and Views

WordPress.com

WordPress.com is the best place for your personal blog or business site.