Fr. Roy Bourgeois - Excommunication Reaction

[soawnortheast at aol.com]

PLEASE READ AND CIRCULATE! 

Dear Friends: 



Many of you are aware that Fr. Roy Bourgeois (Maryknoll priest of 36 years) has taken a strong stance on many issues relating to peace and justice. One which is very dear to him is that of women's ordination.  And while you may not have heard him talk about this publically, it has been a focus of his for many years. In fact, in 2000 Fr. Roy addressed this issue while being interviewed on Vatican Radio. 



A few years later, I brought a letter from Fr. Roy with me to Rome and Bishop Gumbleton hand delivered it to one of the Papal Swiss Guardsmen to give to the Pope on Roy’s behalf.  This letter was his second direct attempt to appeal to the Papal leadership to support women's ordination.  



On August 9, 2008 in Lexington, KY, Fr. Roy concelebrated an ordination Mass for Janice Sevre-Duszynska, an SOA Watch POC and friend of Fr. Roy's.  The presiding bishop was Dana Reynolds.  



As a result of his public support for Janice and his participation in the Mass Fr. Roy was summoned to a meeting with the leadership at Maryknoll. Subsequently, an investigation by church leaders and canon lawyers resulted in a report being submitted to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.   



The congregation has given him 30 days (the letter was dated October 21, 2008) to recant his “belief and public statements that support the ordination of women in our Church, or (he) will be excommunicated.” Click here www.opticalrealities.org/SupportRoyBourgeois.html to read Fr. Roy's reply, dated November 7, 2008. 



Bill Quigley, a dear friend and legal council to Fr. Roy, also offers actions you can take and the addresses where people can write in the above link.  Please take the time to read this and take action!



In Solidarity,



Linda Panetta



Please circulate this freely and widely to others!



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