ST. ANTHONY’S COMMUNITY

Santa Barbara, CA

April 2, 2011

 

SANTA BARBARA, CA – St Anthony’s is an independent small faith community, rooted in our Roman Catholic faith tradition.  As a community, we are deeply disturbed by the news that Fr. Edward Dougherty, MM has sent Father Roy Bourgeois an order to recant his public support of women's ordination.  Fr Roy is threatened with dismissal from Maryknoll and laicization.  We support Father Roy who after deep prayer and reflection has chosen to follow his conscience in regard to the Church's discrimination against women who make up half of the Body of Christ.

For countless years, the bishops have been urging us to pray for vocations.  We wonder if the bishops, the Vatican, and the Pope are deaf to the response of the Holy Spirit.  Are they listening?  Our prayers are being answered by the women who are responding to the call to priesthood.  The Spirit breathes where the Spirit will.

How sad that some like yourself who are in a position to do so, do not speak out about the treatment of Father Roy who has been a faithful servant of both the Church and Maryknoll.  He is following his conscience in continuing to speak out about this matter.  Despite the wishes of the Vatican, this is something that is not going to go away.  All those making the accusations, as well as threats, would do well to reflect on the words of Gamaliel as found in the Acts of the Apostles when he warned:  if what has been done is of human origin, it will disappear, but if it comes from God, you cannot stop it.

We would urge you and the members of Maryknoll to learn from the Benedictine women of Erie, PA.  Sr Joan Chittister spoke out clearly supporting the ordination of women.  When the Vatican demanded that her community silence her and threatened to excommunicate her, they all stood firm with Sr Joan and told them that they would then have to excommunicate the whole community.  Nothing further was heard from the Vatican.  Maryknoll needs the same courage and honesty displayed by the women.

THE MEMBERS OF THE SAINT ANTHONY’S COMMUNITY