FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information,contact: 

Francis DeBernardo, office:301-277-5674; cell: 240-432-2489; director@newwaysministry.org

New Ways Ministry Supports Fr. RoyBourgeois

            MOUNT RAINIER,Maryland—New Ways Ministry supports Fr. Roy Bourgeois in his solidaritywith Catholic women called to the priesthood.  On March 29, 2011, Fr. Bourgeois received acanonical warning from his superiors.  Hewas given fifteen days to recant his belief that women, as well as men, arecalled to priestly ordination or risk dismissal from the Maryknoll communityand from the priesthood.

For almost 40 years as aMaryknoll priest, Fr. Roy has followed the social teaching of the Church in hiswork against violence, oppression, and injustice and has been a prophetic voicefor the marginalized.  His courage andfaithfulness led him to speak out publicly in support of women’s ordination.

New Ways Ministry opposes theattempted use of threats to silence discussion or coerce Fr. Bourgeois intoviolating the dictates of his conscience.  We encourage Church leaders to engage indialogue with Fr. Bourgeois and the millions of other Catholics who believethat women and men alike are called to the priesthood.