Your Radical Truth podcast is where we explore the stories of individuals who have chosen to live outside of society’s norms and expectations.
In this episode, host Margaret Mary O’Connor interviews Reverend Shanon Sterringer, who was excommunicated from the Catholic Church for being ordained as a Priest.
Reverend Shanon talks about her background and how her Catholic faith has been a significant part of her life.
She shares her experience of feeling called to the priesthood and the journey she went through to become ordained, including being ordained by RCWP and ARCWP.
Reverend Shanon discusses the challenges she faced as a female priest within the Catholic Church, including the lack of support from many members of the hierarchy and the overall resistance to change.
She shares the story of her eventual excommunication from the Catholic Church and the impact it had on her faith and personal life.
Reverend Shanon discusses her current work as the founding pastor of the Community of St. Hildegard Church and Hildegard Haus shrine in Fairport Harbor, Ohio.
She also shares her thoughts on the role of women in the Catholic Church and her hopes for the future of the Church.
Host, Margaret Mary O’Connor and Reverend Shanon dig deep into the deceit and lies that have been, and continue to be, covered up and how women fare
much worse than men when excommunicated.
Reverend Shanon’s story is one of resilience and courage in the face of adversity. Her journey as a female priest sheds light on the challenges and obstacles faced by women in the Catholic Church and highlights the need for change and progress. Through her work and advocacy, Reverend Shanon continues to inspire others and make a positive impact on the world. Thank you for tuning in to “Your Radical Truth” and for joining us in celebrating those who dare to live boldly and authentically.
Reverend Shannon is the author of Forbidden Grace: Hildegard of Bingen and a Modern Woman’s Call to the Catholic Priesthood
Episode Highlights
[03:00] What excommunication really means for a woman priest
[06:15] A priest warns Reverend Shanon of what is to come
[11:20] The Scarlet letter follows to this day
[15:00] Reverend Shanon can no longer partake in Church ritual
[19:20] The “real” history is being revealed
[23:20] Excommunication effects all areas of one’s life
[26:00] Staying within the box of Church guidelines
[35:50] The amount of scandal is off the charts
[39:50] Reclaiming a livelihood after excommunication
About Reverend Shanon Sterringer
Shanon Sterringer was ordained a priest in Linz, Austria on August 3, 2019, and a deacon in Boston Heights, Ohio on July 10, 2018 by RCWP and ARCWP.
She is the founding Pastor of the Community of St. Hildegard Church and Hildegard Haus shrine in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. She is a wife and mother, a published author, small business owner, and an amateur beekeeper.
Prior to following her call to ordination, Shanon served for over twenty years as a certified lay ecclesial minister and master catechist in the Diocese of Cleveland. In the parish she worked in the areas of catechetics, liturgical and pastoral ministry, parish administration, theology, and leadership training. She has travelled to Bingen, Germany several times over the last few years to walk in the footsteps of Hildegard of Bingen for research and personal/professional development and has led countless seminars and retreats on this topic.
Academics:
- Ph.D. (2016) in Ethical and Creative Leadership (focused on the leadership example of St. Hildegard of Bingen) from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio
- DMin (2012), M.Div equivalent (2010), and a MA in Theology (2007) from St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, Ohio
- MA in Ministry (2011) from Ursuline College in Pepperpike, Ohio
- BA in Religious Studies (2003) from Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio.
- Pastor, The Community of St. Hildegard
The Green Shepherdess Blog & Fair-Trade Shop
http://www.thegreenshepherdess.org
http://www.thegreenshepherdess.com
About Margaret Mary O’Connor
Margaret Mary O’Connor, as a member of the Catholic Laity, thought she knew everything about the Catholic Church, at least until she came upon a centuries-old Scandal of lies and cover-up by the Hierarchy of that Church. Frankly, she was fed up being lied to by her own Church, about its own past Church’s History
on Women priests. With that realization, she truly felt in that moment, the monumental feeling of betrayal by her own Church.
Follow Margaret, as she travels down this Highway of Radical Truth where lies and outright coverup will be disclosed. Millions of Catholics are unaware of that past presence of Women Bishop’s, Women Deacons, as well as Women Priests, all there hiding in plain sight, in Early Church History.
As the complicity of this centuries-old Scandal continues, Margaret wants her fellow Catholics to learn the actual truth of this matter for themselves. She strongly believes, at minimal, any Catholic deserves the actual truth of this matter. To say that change is needed is hardly an understatement. She doesn’t let the Church’s betrayal stop her from uncovering some very fascinating Church Skeleton’s – one which very well might help solve our current priest shortage issue today.
Margaret Mary O’Connor has been called, “The Modern Day David” on many occasions. On a mission to reveal carefully guarded secrets of the Catholic Church, she unveils the truth through her well-researched writings.
Author of Scandal in the Shadows and Journey of a Celiac’s Soul, Margaret Mary is a force to be reckoned with.
Follow Margaret Mary on the following social media platforms.
Twitter: @yrradicaltruth
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/yourradicaltruth/
#FemalePriests, #Excommunication, #CatholicChurch, #Ordination, #HildegardOfBingen, #ReligiousEquality, #WomenInFaith, #BreakingBarriers, #RadicalTruth
#FeministTheology
