For several years, the celebration of Catholic Mass at the Des Moines Catholic Worker has been a point of controversy with Bishop Pates and others representing the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines.

Most recently, in May of this year, Bishop Pates wrote us a letter stating that the “privilege” of having Mass at the Des Moines Catholic Worker has been “revoked.” The reason for this is that, in December 2014, Reverend Janice Sevre-Duszynska, who is a woman priest, celebrated a Roman Catholic Mass at the Des Moines Catholic Worker. It is the official position of the Roman Catholic Church that women may not be priests.

In 2010, Bishop Pates also expressed concerns about the celebration of Mass at the Des Moines Catholic Worker, chief among these being that we invite everyone, including non-Catholics, to receive communion.

In response to the Bishop, we wish to let it be known that the Des Moines Catholic Worker affirms the equality of all people, regardless of gender, to be full members and disciples in any Church claiming to follow Jesus; in the Roman Catholic Church this includes the priesthood and other positions of leadership within the Church.

Likewise, we affirm that the Sacrament of Holy Communion should be open to all who wish to participate, regardless of religious and institutional affiliations. No one seeking reconciliation and love should be denied the Eucharist. We believe that Jesus would not have it otherwise.

In what may be a historic first, a Catholic school that ended a contract with a teacher for being openly gay has reversed course, challenging Church teaching by instituting hiring polices that welcome LGBT people. continue

“St. Mary’s is a diverse community that welcomes and includes gay and lesbian students, faculty, alumnae, parents and friends, including those that are married.”

While the new policy is out of step with the position of the Catholic hierarchy, it is far more in line with the deeply progressive bent of American Catholicism: Over 60 percent of U.S. Catholics support marriage equality.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP) and Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) are deeply saddened by the violent attack that Alexandra Dyer, a Roman Catholic Womanpriest in New York City, experienced when leaving work on Wednesday evening.  As she was getting in her car, a man approached Alexandra and threw a caustic substance in her face resulting in severe burns.

At this point, we believe this horrific attack to be unrelated to her being a Roman Catholic Womanpriest. Nonetheless, our community has been shaken by this senseless, devastating act of violence.

Alexandra is currently hospitalized and will have a long and difficult recovery.  We ask for your prayers for Alexandra and all those who will be walking with her on her long road of recovery.

A friend has set up a Go Fund Me account for her to assist with any recovery costs. We know she will appreciate any gesture of support during this difficult time.

The man who attacked and seriously burned a Queens woman Wednesday night — splashing her in the face with a Drano-like substance — snuck up and ambushed her as she walked alone to her car, law-enforcement sources said.

“Can I ask you something?” the assailant said, before hurling an off-brand drain cleaner in the face of Dr. Alexandra Dyer (RCWP), an ordained priest who has devoted her life to helping others.  continue reading

"MASS HAS ended. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord." The response, "Thanks be to God," has been uttered with more relief than I care to admit the past few years. My faith has been shaken - by scandal, by political squabbles and by discrimination. The sacred trust that I established throughout all my sacraments - Holy Communion, confirmation, reconciliation - somehow seems tarnished. These struggles have been recurring in my mind as Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families draws nearer.  continue

These are concepts that you learn in Religion 101 that you somehow don't learn growing up in certain faith communities…

...…These 10 items highlight one of the toughest questions facing theological education today. How can we possibly tell students "The stories in your text are not unique. They borrow from other traditions. Your text is not 'inspired,' etc." and then say "Now go into the world, minister to people, and inspire them?" We've delved so deeply in the social science of religious studies, we have lost the inspirational part of theological education. How do we bring the two together?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio judges who perform civil marriages may not refuse to conduct a ceremony for a gay couple, nor may they refuse to do all marriages based on personal beliefs opposing gay marriage, the Ohio Supreme Court's Board for Professional Conduct said...

..."The oath represents the judge's solemn and personal vow that he or she will impartially perform all duties incumbent on the office and do so without regard to the status or class of persons or parties who come before the court," the board opinion states. "The oath is a reflection of the self-evident principle that the personal, moral, and religious beliefs of a judicial officer should never factor into the performance of any judicial duty."  full article

To hear Sr. Theresa Kane speak is to be struck with an urge to act.

When the Sister of Mercy welcomed Pope John Paul II in October 1979 as the spokeswoman for U.S. women religious, she chose those brief moments to ask for equality and ordination on behalf of Catholic women everywhere. Her words, though met with fierce negation by the pope and Vatican officials, were broadcast around the world.

There are few who dare to speak their truths aloud under such powerful opposition and public eye, but Kane didn't shy away from truth in 1979. She encouraged the end of oppression for women in the church, setting alight a spark of change. She continues to be a leading voice in the feminist religious movement decades later.  continue reading