Church’s sexism is a scandal

[meow2u3]

I have been a Catholic priest for years, and, like most people I know, I have been changed by my experiences over the years.

Growing up Catholic in a small town in Louisiana, I and others did not ask why the black members of our church had to sit in the last five pews during Mass, or why our schools were segregated. Nor did we, needless to say, ask why women could not be priests.
(snip)

Pope Benedict XVI is telling priests like me to be obedient to church leaders and refrain from questioning or discussing church teachings. This presents a problem, because the church teaches us the primacy of conscience. One’s conscience is sacred, because it gives one a sense of right and wrong, and urges one to do what is just. When we betray our consciences, we separate ourselves from God.

I often think about our silence in the days when the black members of our church had to sit in the last five pews. As a priest, I have learned that our silence in the presence of such injustices is the voice of complicity.

Sexism, like racism, is a sin. And no matter how hard we try to justify discrimination, in the end, it is not the way of God.

http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/149909595.html

[Angry Dragon]

1. This is an okay priest

[rug]

2. Among other things, he helped found the School of the Americas Watch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_the_Americas_Watch

[hedgehog]

3. and he put his living at risk for taking this stand -

Rome has been pressuring the Maryknoll order to toss him out on his ear. So far, the order has resisted.

[rug]

4. He's already been excommunicated for participating in a women's ordination four years ago.

Now they're trying to sever his last connection.