On my podcast, “Your Radical Truth,” Father Anne, a distinguished guest, shared a wealth of enlightening insights with our listeners. She delved into the historical prevalence of Clericalism during the 19th and 20th centuries, shedding light on its profound impact on the laity of the Catholic Church. Father Anne’s striking quote brings the harsh reality of this term to the forefront: “Today, all the power resides in the Popes, Bishops, and Priests, and the Laity are not able to contribute.”
The historical context for the laity was vastly different, where local communities ordained candidates of their personal choice. Any interference from the Bishop in this process rendered the ordination null and void. This contrasts sharply with the present-day dynamics of centralized power in the Church.
Pope Francis, drawing from past Church history, is steering the Synod on Synodality towards reclaiming the authentic tradition of Collegiality among Bishops, decentralizing power, and encouraging greater participation from the faithful. This increased involvement from everyday Catholics has facilitated much-needed discussions on gender justice and the role of women in the
Church today.
In the course of our discussion, Father Anne made a remarkable discovery regarding Canon law, the man-made Church Law. Specifically, Canons 208 to 223 were identified as forming a kind of Bill of Rights for the Christian faithful. Canon 1024, which prohibits women from the priesthood, is seen by Father Anne as a violation of the basic rights outlined in these canons.
Father Anne highlights that Canon 208 underscores true equality for all Christians, while Canon 219 guarantees the right to be free from coercion in choosing a state of life. Addressing the exclusion of women from the priesthood, Father Anne argues that this constitutes a violation of the basic rights enshrined in these canons. He points out that a woman with a vocation to the priesthood is being coerced down a different path.
Canon 218 affirms the right of women to inquire about matters of the Church, and Canon 212 grants the right to speak out on issues affecting the good of the Church. Canon 221 emphasizes Christians’ right to defend their rights in an ecclesiastical forum, acknowledging that if the Church violates your rights, you have the right to defend yourself.
God Says NOW! Campaign
Father Anne is embarking on a unique campaign called the “God Says Now Campaign For Women Priests in the Catholic Church.” Her goal is to mobilize hidden support within the Institutional Church and beyond, urging them to participate in a prayer meeting in October. The objective is to compel Bishops and the Pope to address the question of women in the priesthood in a way that cannot be reversed after the Synod concludes.
As readers, this is a pivotal moment for the laity. Father Anne challenges us to consider whether we will passively observe or actively engage in questioning the Church’s centuries-old stance on women priests. It is a call to bring back women’s past religious heritage into our Church. The time for involvement is now; let us collectively contribute to reshaping the future of our Church.
To enjoy the full episode, visit: https://yourradicaltruth.com/017-father-anne/
