AP/ June 8, 2010, 9:35 AM

Protesters March in Vatican for Female Priests

Groups that have long demanded that women be ordained Roman Catholic priests took advantage of the Vatican's crisis over clerical sex abuse to press their cause Tuesday, demanding the Vatican open discussions on letting women join the priesthood.

Representatives of a half-dozen Catholic reform groups marched on St. Peter's Square on the eve of a three-day rally marking the end of the church's yearlong celebration of the priest.

Vatican officials have said during the rally Pope Benedict XVI may apologize for the decades of rapes and molestation that children suffered at the hands of priests.

The umbrella group Women's Ordination Conference said the Vatican shouldn't be celebrating the priesthood while "turning a blind eye when men in its ranks destroy the lives of children and families."

"While the hierarchy spends their time covering up scandals and throwing major celebrations for themselves, Catholic women are working for justice and making a positive difference in the world," said Erin Saiz Hanna, the Women's Ordination Conference executive director.

She spoke at a news conference before a dozen members of the reform groups marched to the Vatican in a bid to hand out flyers to tourists, priests and other passers-by.

Police stopped them when they reached the square and asked them to leave, which they did.
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13 Comments Add a Comment
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TVO1CITW says:
by AttentionDeficit June 8, 2010 2:27 PM EDT
"The Bible is not up to private interpretation, either"

What kind of interpretation is it up to?


Certainly, not yours! However, if one person or a group of people choose to interpret a scripture their way to fit their way of thinking and it just does not fit, then it is private interpretation and it is wrong.
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TVO1CITW says:
If a church is a New Testament church they have to go according to 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and it only talks about men in both the priestly and deacon position. WHY DON'T PEOPLE JUST READ THEIR BIBLE AND DO ACCORDINGLY? The Bible is not up to private interpretation, either. I'm just amazed that men in the God given position would relinquish it to a WOMAN because she complained. God help us!
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TVO1CITW replies:
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ADD - It is up to what it says. In this case husbands do not mean gay women.
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consciousnes says:
And they wonder why the Christian religon is going to the dogs.
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tsigili says:
Changing the sex of the ordained, is NOT going to solve the problems of the Catholic Church. the Church is operating in the dark ages, and until it gains enlightenment, it will continue to be doing all the wrong things.
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TVO1CITW replies:
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Enlightenment?? Where did you evolve or reincarnate from? The Bible is the written authority of God's church. Women are not to be in a position of authority in the church as they are protesting for. God is not PROGRESSIVE. Your comment here is not relevant.
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casionova says:
What did they have to say about all of the abuse carried out by nuns?

I'm guessing they forgot to mention it.
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jankebenzone says:
Why not, after all the rcc has always been a phoney church anyway! Her holiness, popice mary?
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TVO1CITW says:
Sounds good to me! Of course, the Bible tells us not to make any graven image of anything that is in heaven or earth (Exodus 20:4) and the Catholic Church thinks they are exempt. Why not have women priest, it just makes sense.
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TVO1CITW replies:
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WOW! What a great statement.
cleric60 replies:
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TVO1CITW--That is only commanded in the OT, not the NT. Pictures, statues, icons are permissible in worship; but NOT worshipped. The Gospel of Christ frees His People from the ceremonial laws in the OT.
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cleric60 says:
First, the Church of Rome should end the evil practice of forced celibacy for their priesthood. Second, the Church of Rome should study Scripture and see what roles females can perform in the Holy Ministry of Word and Sacraments.
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