Catholic priests call for talks on equality for women

[rug]

Twelve clerics seek open discussion of issue and say sanctions have silenced those in favour

Patsy McGarry
Mon, Nov 2, 2015, 15:09

Twelve Catholic priests have issued a joint statement calling for open discussion on the need for equality for women in the church, including where priesthood is concerned.

“Discriminating against women encourages and reinforces abuse and violence against women in many cultures and societies,” they say.

The priests, many of whom have been prominent in the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP), are Frs Tony Flannery, Eamonn McCarthy, Kevin Hegarty, Roy Donovan, Pádraig Standún, Adrian Egan, Benny Bohan, Seán McDonagh, John D Kirwin, Ned Quinn, Donagh O’Meara, and Tony Conry.

“We believe that we can no longer remain silent because to do so colludes with the systemic oppression of women within the Catholic Church. So, in the spirit of Pope Francis constant encouragement of dialogue, we are calling for free and open discussion concerning the full equality of women in all facets of church life, including all forms of ministry,” they say.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/catholic-priests-call-for-talks-on-equality-for-women-1.2414201

[potone]

1. Thanks for posting.

Very interesting, I wonder if this will sink without trace or if there will be an official response. By the way, rug, I was just reading in the religion forum and I was shocked at how much vitriol was directed at you and the Roman Catholic Church. It makes me wonder about the religious demographics of this site.

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2. I've noticed

I don't bother much with reading posts on the church or even organized religion outside the Catholic/Christian liberal groups because it pretty much devolves into one of the following;

A) All Catholic priests are either child molesters are potential molesters.
B) A specific church body - usually the Catholics - are nothing more than a criminal organization.
C) Those who follow organized religion are simple minded idiots who DU and the Democrats are better off without.

And my ignore list is full of people who had made one or all of the above claims.