Imagine the uproar if the Archdiocese of St. Louis were to host a Seder featuring ham sandwiches and pork rinds and an introductory reading fromMein Kampf. There would be, rightly, outrage and accusations of anti-Semitism. Jewish organizations would certainly choose to break ties with the Catholic organizations, and it would rightly be seen as a setback in the relationship between the two religious groups.

So where is the condemnation of the synagogue hosting this grave insult to Catholicism?

To the Roman Catholic Church, the ceremony was not an ordination. In fact, it wasn't even Roman Catholic. But to two women and the approximately 600 people who came to cheer them on, history was made Sunday in St. Louis as the two became the first women ever in the city to be ordained as Catholic priests.

And the first ever, perhaps in the world, to be ordained in a synagogue.

Rose Marie Hudson, 67, of Festus, and Elsie Hainz McGrath, 69, of St. Louis, were ordained as priests by an organization called Roman Catholic Womenpriests, which defines itself "as an international initiative within the Roman Catholic Church."

Not only is the Archdiocese of St. Louis upset about the women participating in an ordination ceremony, but the church and others in the interfaith community were upset that the Central Reform Congregation, in the Central West End, hosted the event.

"The event of today is really very sad because the name Roman Catholic has been misused and misapplied," said Dr. Lawrence J. Welch, a Kenrick-Glennon Seminary theology professor. "There's been no ordination of Roman Catholic priests. In fact, there has been a profaning of something Roman Catholics believe is very sacred."

To members of the diverse crowd — the dozen ministers in robes and stoles of different colors, those wearing yarmulke, and some wearing buttons saying "God loves us, just ask her" — the ceremony showed unity and understanding.

"What a day, what an occasion, what a case, what a rabbi," said Patricia Fresen, the ordaining bishop with Roman Catholic Womenpriests, referring to the synagogue's rabbi, Susan Talve. The room boomed with applause.

Shame on Rabbi Talve and her congregation for hosting this event. Shame on those who assisted in this profaning of a Catholic sacrament. And shame on Fresen, Hudson, and McGrath for not having the honesty and the courage to proclaim themselves what they truly are – Protestants who have broken with Rome and placed themselves outside of the Catholic Church.

Posted by: Greg at 12:14 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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