Davenport, Iowa, Jun 2, 2010 / 04:03 am
Repeating Catholic teaching on the invalidity of attempts to ordain women, the Bishop of Davenport, Iowa has said a local woman’s intention to undergo ordination by a breakaway Catholic group damages the unity of the Church and has asked people not to participate in the ceremony.
In a May 25 statement published in The Catholic Messenger, Bishop Martin Amos asked those of the Diocese of Davenport to prayerfully to reconsider any participation in or advocacy of the attempted ordination of women, an excommunicable offense.
“Such participation does not foster unity in the Church and jeopardizes the communion of the faithful with each other and with God. On my part, I will continue to pray for unity throughout the Church and for those people who struggle with this issue,” he stated.
Mary Kay Kusner, a married mother of four, intends to undergo “ordination” by a Roman Catholic Womanpriest group at First Christian Church in Coralville, Iowa on June 13. She is presently a chaplain in palliative care at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.