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Bob Graf
Jesuit priest Bill Brennan, 92, was stripped of his priestly duties after he presided over a Eucharistic liturgy with a woman priest last month in Georgia.
A Milwaukee-area Catholic priest was stripped of his priestly duties after he presided over a Mass with a woman priest last month in Georgia.
On Nov. 17, the Rev. Bill Brennan, a 92-year-old Jesuit, performed a liturgy in Columbus, Ga., at which Janice Sevre-Duszynska, an ordained member of Roman Catholic Womenpriests, an advocacy group that is not sanctioned by the Vatican, was a participant.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee and his religious order, the Society of Jesus, ordered Brennan not to perform any priestly duties in public or present himself as a priest publicly.
"I was really angry when I found out ... that his faculties were suspended, too, because for God's sake, he's 92 years old," the Rev. Jerry Zawada, a Franciscan and a friend of Brennan's who has also led liturgies with Sevre-Duszynska and was suspended for it, told NBC News. "But he's so faithful to what needs to happen."
"He's willing to take risks at that level," Zawada, a 75-year-old Franciscan, added.
The Catholic Church prohibits women's ordination, saying it has no authority to ordain women because Jesus chose only men as his apostles. The church's Canon Law 1024 says only baptized men may receive holy orders.
Pope urges 'obedience'
Pope John Paul II issued a letter in 1994 saying that the church "has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women," and in 2010 the church included the "attempted ordination of women" among the list of grave crimes against its law, under the same category as the sexual abuse of minors. Grave crimes are punishable by defrocking or excommunication.
Earlier this year, Pope Benedict XVI denounced the priests supporting women's ordination, saying their desire to change the church was a "desperate push" driven by their "own preferences and ideas." Instead, the pope urged for the "radicalism of obedience."
About 59 percent of American Catholics are in favor of women's ordination, according to a 2010 poll by The New York Times and CBS, but the Vatican sees the initiative as having the potential to cause a rift in the church.
Brennan is only the most recent priest to be penalized for his support of women's ordination.
Courtesy of Janice Sevre-Duszynska
Jesuit priest Bill Brennan and Janice Sevre-Duszynska, an ordained member of Roman Catholic Womenpriests, co-preside over a liturgy in Georgia on Nov. 17, 2012.
Last month, the Rev. Ray Bourgeois, an American of the Maryknoll religious order, was dismissed by the Vatican's doctrinal watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, for his support of women's ordination.
Last week, the Vatican also stripped an Austrian priest of his right to use the title monsignor for advocating in favor of women priests and married priests.
'Good stubborn'
Sevre-Duszynska told NBC News she wasn't surprised by the actions taken to penalize Brennan, whom she describes as being "good stubborn" and "full of such fire."
"It was a hope in the back of my heart that these men would walk in solidarity with Bill, stand up for justice and … make it a new world, make it a new day in our church, as Bill has done," she said. "It’s time for the rest of the male priests to find the courage to listen to the workings of the Holy Spirit in their heart and conscience."
Bob Graf
The Rev. Bill Brennan attends a protest in Milwaukee in 2008.
Sevre-Duszynska first met Brennan two years ago at a civil disobedience action organized by SOA Watch, an organization that seeks to close a U.S. Army training school at Fort Benning, Ga.
The school used to be known as the School of the Americas, and SOA Watch claims it was involved in human rights abuses in Latin America. For many years, Brennan worked as a missionary in the Central American country of Belize when it was a British colony known as British Honduras.
Brennan, who uses a wheelchair when his legs become tired, and Sevre-Duszynska were among the 29 people arrested at the protest.
"He's very fragile, but he's very strong in his heart," Sevre-Duszynska said of Brennan. "He's living in the heart of God, and he has lots of strength inside."
Not showing off 'for the ladies'
Brennan's "lifetime of service to the poor" and his work with immigrants and those marginalized by society will continue to be honored by the Jesuits, Jeremy Langford, a spokesman for the Jesuits' Chicago-Detroit province, told NBC News.
While Brennan's diocesan faculties have been withdrawn, he remains a Jesuit, Langford said, adding that the Society of Jesus has no intention of taking further actions against Brennan.
The Jesuits are mostly known for their missionary work and support of human rights, social justice and education. The Society of Jesus operates many colleges and universities around the world.
Brennan, who lives with other retired Jesuits in the Milwaukee area, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he understood the risks when he decided to perform a liturgy alongside a woman priest.
"Sometimes in our lives we have to trust our conscience and bring about the consequences," he told the newspaper. "I wasn't trying to show off for the ladies."
According to Sevre-Duszynska, Brennan compared his support of women's ordination to his support for women's suffrage, remembering that when he was born in 1920, his mother was still not allowed to vote.
Bob Graf, who was a Jesuit and has known Brennan for almost 20 years, spoke to Brennan this week and said he was taking the decision in stride.
"He’s very calm, he’s very peaceful, which is surprising, but he is," Graf told NBC News. "He’s a wise old man," he said, adding that Brennan will continue his life's work. "He just can't wear his robe and collar."
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Who is man to question God's will when He calls someone to His service?
sane
Only those that are blind sheep.
The Catholic Church is on a downhill slide to oblivion in the U.S. Another 50yrs and they will be regarded as an odd religious sect here. Jesus Christ was all inclusive. He reached out to all including women. The Catholic Church needs to remember that it is here to serve others and to continue the work of Jesus Christ here on earth. Not to exclude or to serve itself.
anyone with half a brain knows that the original reason for no women priests had nothing to do with the apostles.
women priests were banned for the same reason that male priests were required to be celibate-so the church wouldn't have to support the babies. It was very easy back then to deny fatherhood (no DNA), but denying motherhood was a little more difficult.
Rubbish, Protestants have been denying that Mary is the Mother of God for four-hundred years.
The Church doesn't want Priests to have spouses/offspring so that the Church can inherit whatever the Priest has at death. It's greed!
Funniest cult on the planet, especially that little tidbit of info about the previous pope slapping himself on a daily basis with a belt so that he "could be pure when he met Jesus"! LOL Please cover more stories about these morons they are really, really funny!
He broke his vow of obedience to the Pope. He's a Jesuit; he took a vow freely and before God and he ignored that vow, making a public spectical of his refusal to keep it. He will be lucky to remain in the Jesuit order.
Makes me glad that I left the Catholic Church years ago.
If there are enough priests defying the church to push for reformation, the pope will consider allowing women and married men to be priests. I would like to encourage to stop and think about the time when the bible was written and that's the reason why men was emphasized as important based on the concept of male superiority and dominance. The society changed gradually to include everyone but the church seemed to stay the same. If they won't allow women, then it's the same as supporting racism, discrimination, slavery, denial of women to education, their right to vote and to hold many important positions. Change can be painful but it's always good for everyone. They need to understand God create woman and man as equal and no one is superior than the other one.
So celebrating mass with a woman is the same level of crime in the Catholic Church as pedophilia by a priest. That says it all.
I believe in the ideas of God's and Jesus' word and meaning. The Vatican is a remnant of a barbaric era in which Christians ruled with an iron fist. Any religion that justifies murder or killing, (i.e Christianity and Muslim) is a contradiction of what the bible and Koran preaches. If god were to suddenly appear on our physical plane what would you think he would do to the Vatican. Burn it down. I think the baptist have the best handle on religion.
You must not live in the south. Down here, Baptists are complete nut cases and bigots.
Rweber, that is not necessarily true. It depends on what they believe. Not all Baptists are the same, just like not all nut cases are the same.
He will answer to God...as he is welcomed into heaven.
I applaud such a courageous man. He reflects a passion and conviction that makes me smile.
A man who truly listens to his heart. :)..
Last I heard, no one is being forced to be Catholic. If the faith asks too much of you, become something else or don't have a faith at all. Some people find great meaning in the Catholic Church. Others hate it for various reasons. When you die, you find out if you were right or not.
You're right, no one is forced to be a Catholic. But that doesn't mean that someone can not criticize the church, or try to change it from within. You believe in blind obedience to the hierarchy, or get out. I don't.
If mistakes is what pulls you out of a church....name one without them.....
In Fyodor Dostoievski's 'The Brothers Karamazov" in one scene Ivan Karamazov in a dialoge with Jesus Christ, blames him for the deaths of the innocents.....'-Why they had to die so you could be born?.....they were infants...what was their crime?'
In The US (mainly) hatred for catholics goes wayyy back....they (jews and protestants) figure....while they busy hating catholics they will not look upon us......jejejejje
The jews made a carreer out of their holocaust....but neve said a word for the biggest holocaust of all....the one the english perpetrated in Africa.....many manu times more deaths than in the german concentration camps.....BUT IN THE US THE SHEEP ARE MANIPULATED BY THE PRESS.....and jews and protestants control the press in the US.
Now.....go outside the US....and is mostly that the bad guys are the jews and the protestants......jjeejejej
Again.....Feliz Navidad.....jejejejejeje
Hitler demanded obedience from his people too. The Vatican and the Pope are a religion justified version of a dictatorship. Worked in the middle and dark ages. People are a little more enlightened these days and don't buy it. Jesus preached love not obedience.
What puzzles me is that their Church does not allow it so why do they stay? Why not just leave and start their own and do things the way they would like? I must say their altar covering is very political...I thought the Church was not supposed to be that way? Anyway, I must question people's thinking if they continue to choose to be in an orgainization that does not share their goals.Sounds a bit crazy to me...
Jesus may have appointed Peter as leader of the flock but he also said that his 'church' was all that follow Him and his teachings. Jesus did not appoint Peter or anyone else as God. Jesus also commanded his apostles to teach only that which they, the disciples, had heard Him say or seen Him do. Jesus commanded them not to edit his message by adding to it or taking away from it.
By whose authority does anyone corrupt Jesus' teaching? Some of Jesus' apostles were married. He did not command that thods of you who are married shall not spread the word as you are unfit. Even today the Catholic Church has man married priests and even more that cohabit and raise families without marriage. The issue is not one of remaining true to the teachings of Jesus it is about preserving the power of the Church. Jesus said "Man can not serve two masters". One must choose to serve Jesus the chosen one or the Church a self serving cult.
Those who oppose or disregard the teachings of Christ are the anti-Christ. Let them be known by their true colors.
With religion and politics one will never win an argument. So my position is God can be worshiped anywhere..his beliefs and teachings are up to interpretation...I have a problem with organized religion who dictates your beliefs and controls your mind. But having said that everyone is entitled in who you worship and where...CHOICE..simply and RESPECT always...don't push your belief system on me and I will return the favour...there will never be a winner...as far as the priest...he knew the position of his church and choose open this to women and his church took the stand they have held for centuries...appears backwards and non progressive but the leader of the church, the Pope, makes the final decision and chooses to continue that belief system...People change their belief systems...many other religions out there..I know my God is a forgiving and a understanding God...he loves, protects and guides me because I am human and I fail....
Who knows? In time Father Brennan and the women who are questioning matters of doctrine, those Catholics, will follow their own conscience. Like Martin Luther and his supporters, they will decide that the Catholic Church is simply wrong, that the Pope is fallible, and it's time for another great Schism.
This is a country of sheep....in Guatemala an old dictator is being tried for crimes against humanity and genocide.....Efrain Rios Montt with the helpof the US Evangelical establishment (Yes...Pat Robertson, Jerry Fallwell and others openly provided aid to this man) Thousandas of mayan indians and dozens of catholic priests were massacred in Guatemala in the 60's and 70's.....
I hear no critics in the US......where are all them self righteous peoples?.....ignorance is bliss....an old sheep trait....jejeje
Sounds like the Taliban....
I am not Catholic, however, they are correct in the biblical teaching that women cannot be priests, bishops, apostles or overseers. Women who insist on placing themselves in a role that is not condoned by scripture, should be put out of the Church. They are free to start their own church, with their own rules.
Oh, and Tired...God DID show up on this plane...his name was Jesus.
Keep drinking the KoolAid, brother.
Well, at least the Catholic Church made its priorities crystal clear: Child molestation = relocation. Mass with a woman Priest = yer out!
That's some f**ked up $h!t right there!
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12)
It's OK for him to do a mass with a "male" priest who sodomizes little boys, but "heaven" forbid he preaches alongside a woman. Catholicism is the most corrupt excuse for a religion on Earth.
Amen Bro! F**kin' - A!
They kick out a 92 year old priest for this, but they cover-up the priests having sex with children.
No wonder the church loved the Nazi's so much.