Lay leader in vocation-poor diocese calls for discussion on ordination of women
January 25, 2010
As the Diocese of Santa Rosa-- one of the most vocation-poor dioceses in the United States-- continues to struggle to find priestly vocations, a diocesan lay leader has called for “informed debate” on women’s ordination. “There is no point embarking on a project that is not acceptable to Rome at this point,” cautions Yvette Fallandy, executive secretary of the Diocesan Pastoral Council’s board.
The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat article quotes liberally from Roy Bourgeois, the excommunicated Maryknoll priest, but fails to report that many American dioceses-- like the Church as a whole-- are experiencing a surge in priestly vocations.
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Further information:
- As priests' numbers fall, SR Diocese seeks solutions (Santa Rosa Press-Democrat)
- Priestly Vocations in America: A Look At the Numbers (Catholic World Report)
- Priestly Vocations in America: An Updated Look (Catholic World Report)
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Posted by: saviles218254 -
Jan. 31, 2010 10:32 PM ET USA
This is my diocese. It pains me to read these types of articles in our local liberal newspaper. And of course, the letters to the editor that are published are ones supporting the error of the idea of women priests. Thankfully, the priest in our parish saw the article and gave us all an excellent explanation before the homily at Mass of the impossibility of women in the priesthood. Some of the other parishes in the diocese are not so fortunate.
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Posted by: Gregory108 -
Jan. 25, 2010 8:23 PM ET USA
If you teach young men correctly, give them excellent role models in the priests they see, make priestly life attractive and honor vocations in the parish, there will be vocations. There is an upsurge in our diocese of excellent men. Two of them were physicians before they became priests! There is one parish in which there are 21 men in formation, obviously none of them women! Maybe a pilgrimage by the people of the Santa Rosa Diocese to Michigan might be in order! See how it's done!
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Posted by: jimvandevoorde7657 -
Jan. 25, 2010 8:12 PM ET USA
Same old song, new verse. The question has been asked and definitively answered. Women can not be ordained. It is not a "current policy" but fixed tradition established by Christ and confirmed by the Holy Spirit through his Vicar and College of Bishops. All Apostolic rooted western, oriental orthodox and orthodox agree. Let the Reformation Churches do as they will.
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Posted by: Hal -
Jan. 25, 2010 12:06 PM ET USA
Hmmm. Lack of vocations in diocese.....call for wome's ordination....Roy Bourgeois..... I see a pattern developing here....
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Posted by: -
Jan. 25, 2010 10:56 AM ET USA
The sad situation in Santa Rosa is doubtless a legacy of the disgraced bishop Patrick Zieman.The harm that man did to the Church cannot be overstated.
