Katolska kvinnliga prästerna om exkommuniceringar

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Call the Vatican to Compassion

In response to the Vatican Excommunication of Brazilian Child's Mother and Doctor

On March 7th, 2009, Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho announced the excommunication of the mother and doctors who participated in an abortion that saved the life of a nine year old fourth grader. The 80 pound child was brutally and repeatedly raped and finally impregnated by her stepfather. Cardinal Giovanni Battista, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, affirmed the excommunications even though it was the doctor's professional opinion that the pregnancy could kill the child.

Ironically on the same day that Pope Benedict spoke about the dignity of women, these top church officials withdrew the sacraments from the child's mother and doctors who, after all, were trying to save the child's life while the man who violated the body and soul of a small child remains in good standing with the church.

The church had the opportunity to act in a pastoral compassionate manner. Instead, it perpetuated further violence in a family already torn apart by violence. One can only wonder how Jesus, who walked among us acquainted with grief and suffering would have acted. It was Jesus who told us to remove the beam from our eyes before we judge the actions of others. It was Jesus who directed us to forgive seventy times seven.

In the spirit of Luke 4:18 where Jesus announced his compassionate, justice-oriented ministry, Roman Catholic Womenpriests serve everyone including women and families traumatized by rape and sexual abuse with its life-long sentence of depression and anxiety. In inclusive grassroots communities we are breaking open the alabaster jars of sacramental grace united with those we serve. All are welcome always and no one is left out or sent away. There should be no such thing as excommunication in the house of God.

For many Catholics, this is the heart of our faith. This decision made by the prelates contradicts the basic tenets of Catholic social justice teaching. This hypocrisy is the last straw. Roman Catholic Womenpriests call the Vatican to reflect the compassion of Christ to this child, her mother and her doctors.