It's time for a change, inspired by this among many other things.
I no longer have any desire to pretend that I am in full agreement with what the Roman Catholic hierarchy teaches, even though catholicism (yes, small c) and its liturgy are the home of my heart.
Let me lay it out.
There are many things that are just plain wrong--and sinful--coming out of the mouth of the pope, the cardinals, the bishops, and the priests. Not everything--perhaps not even most of it. But there are still, sadly, many, many things.
Item number one?
The claim that women, simply because they are women, have never (validly) been, are not (validly) now, and never (validly) will be ordained ministers.
That claim has been, is now, and will forever be wrong. Sinful. Evil.
On this and other critical points (which I will discuss at length in later posts), I will not be cajoled or bullied into changing my mind. I will not realign with any teachings of the RC Church that are misguided and misguiding.
What I will do is continuing to pray, in my feminist way, and allow scripture and liturgy to challenge and shape my life. I will remain catholic, in the root sense. I will remain faithful, embracing what is of G-d, and I will loudly dissent from that which is not holy, good, or true.
Roman Catholic hierarchy, you have a lot to answer for. But hey, each of us has something to answer for. We are all on a journey. The question is whether one is able to see one's wrongdoing and turn from it. RC hierarchy, are you willing to have your eyes and ears opened?
For those of you, especially lay people, whom I am offending, I am sorry. Offending is not my goal. Seeking what is holy, what honors the whole of every person, is my goal. And I cannot claim to seek that as long as I pretend in any way to abide by sinful teachings.
I begin the journey anew. Would you like to join me with a bit of way-bread?