Sister barred from teaching catechesis due to dissent on women’s ordination

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Sr. Louise Akers / Archbishop Pilarczyk

Cincinnati, Ohio, Sep 5, 2009 / 07:55 am (CNA).- The Archbishop of Cincinnati Daniel Pilarczyk, citing his duty to safeguard authentic Catholic teaching, has barred a religious sister from teaching on behalf of the archdiocese after she refused to adhere to Catholic teaching on the ordination of women.

Sister of Charity Louise Akers, 66, was listed as an advisory board member for the Women’s Ordination Conference. Her photo and name were also on the site.

In April the archdiocese’s Office of Catechesis and Evangelization removed her from its list of approved teachers and speakers for archdiocesan programs and events.

In an early August meeting, she and Archbishop Pilarczyk discussed her removal from the list. According to the Catholic Telegraph, the archbishop told her that permission to teach would be restored if she rescinded her support for women’s ordination and disassociated herself from the Women’s Ordination Conference publicly.

Sister Louise has removed her name and photo from the group’s website but has said she cannot publicly withdraw her support for women’s ordination.

Speaking to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Sister Louise said her position concerned “an issue of justice within the Church” motivated by her belief in “the value, dignity and equality of women in the Church.”

According to the Enquirer, she characterized women’s ordination as both a practical and a fairness issue. She claimed the practice would address a shortage of priests and would put women on equal footing with men in the church.

Archdiocese spokesman Dan Andriacco told the Enquirer that the refusal of permission to Sister Louise was based on the principle that “someone who is teaching in the name of the church should be in accord with the teachings of the church.”

"Some people argue that ordaining women is a justice issue," Andriacco said. "The Church would say there is only injustice when you deprive someone of something they have a right to. Ordination is not a right, nor is the ability to teach in the name of the Church."

He added that the Church clearly states that because Christ chose only male apostles, the Church must ordain only male priests.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that the ordination of women “is not possible,” as only a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination.

Sister Barbara Hagedorn, president of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, said in a written statement that Sister Louise is “a member in good standing” and reported that the sister cannot “refute her beliefs on this issue” as “a matter of conscience.”

According to the Catholic Telegraph, she added “the issue remains between the archbishop and Sister Louise Akers,” saying the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati support Sister Louise “and all those involved in this difficult situation.”

Erin Saiz Hanna, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference, claimed that the archbishop’s denial of permission for Sister Louise to teach was “just bullying,” the Enquirer reports.

Archbishop Pilarczyk discussed the case with The Catholic Telegraph.

“Questions have been raised about the role of a diocesan bishop and the teaching of catechetics in his diocese. It is a bishop’s responsibility to provide authentic and orthodox Catholic teaching in his diocese. Persons who are not in accord with the teaching of the church should not expect to be allowed to teach catechetical leaders or others in the name of the church.”

He explained that teachers of the Catholic faith teach more than infallible doctrines, but what is in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Tricia Hempel, editor of the Catholic Telegraph, told CNA in a Friday phone call that no further statement on the case would be issued.

Comments: 22

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Bob
Los Angeles/CA/US 09/23/2009 07:48 PM EST

There is a spousal relationship involved here. Every priest is in the Image of Christ and every priest takes the Church as his bride. Every nun takes Christ as her spouse. If Christ wanted women priest he would have mad the most perfect human bieng a priest, his mother. No one is more worthy than she was. But Christ does not intend women to be priest as he does not intend women to be men. We need women to be women and men to be men, equal in dignity but very very very different and the differences run soul deep. I love women. i love strong women. But a women cannot be a priest in the image of christ and married to the church (preversity) If these women went to confessions more, returned to the rosary asking Mary to restablish thier feminine genius we would all be better off. Lord have mercy!!!!

Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI 09/14/2009 03:56 PM EST

"Sexism and ageism is alive and well in the Church" I think the mistake you are making is that you are assuming what you need to prove.That's not a very honest way to argue. The Church may be sexist from your perspective but is your perspective correct? What do you base your claim of sexism on? What I would like to see is where exactly do you find sexism in church teachings on this matter? Examine what the church actually teaches on this issue and why it teaches what it does. From there I would like to see sexism somehow drawn out from those teachings.

Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI 09/14/2009 02:53 PM EST

"Jesus taught a lot about relationships, respect,about being non-judgemental." He didn't teach about being "non-judgemental" in the way it is understood in the year 20009. Nowadays, the charge of nonjudgementalism is used as a means to deflect any personal responsibility for ones actions. Nonjudgementalism is a modern day creation that in no way supports the biblical message. We are not to judge others as in who is going to hell. That's not our job. We are told to admonish our brothers and sisters when they stray from the true and good. It's more of a fraternal correction than a comment on someones eternal fate. Just look at the Prophets or St. Paul...what a bunch of "judgemental" guys! "I often wonder what He would say about this issue" I think he said a lot about this issue. Jesus choose to call only men to be apostles. On Holy Thursday, it was only men who were called into the ministerial priestood. Gods greatest creation, our Blessed Mother was not called to be in the priesthood. That's they way he chose to do it. You may not agree with the Church on this but ultimately you don't agree with Jesus Himself.

Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI 09/14/2009 02:35 PM EST

"Show me were in the bibles Jesus says to ordain priests at all, then realize the futility of this particular argument" First I want to make sure you aren't advocating sola-scriptura (Bible alone) which is a severely flawed teaching. But since you asked for Biblical references. Lets start with just a few. Acts 15:6,23 1Tim4:14, 5:22; 1Tim 5:17; 5:13-15...Presbyters/ elders (priests) were ordained, preached and taught the faith, administered the sacraments.

Published by: saddened
Bunbury WA 09/13/2009 10:57 PM EST

Sexism and ageism is alive and well in the Church.And yes the mysogomy is there just under the surface! The church may say 'no' but surely we can talk about womens ordination and dream about a church with some compassion , warmth and , dare I say, less paedophilia and abuse. Jesus taught a lot about relationships, respect,about being non-judgemental. I often wonder what He would say about this issue. After all he chose a woman to appear to first after his ressurection. He told her to tell the community in hiding that he was alive! But in the final analysis maybe people will simply move away from dictatorial power and find Jesus again where two or three are gathered together.

Published by: Luke
Australia 09/13/2009 04:15 PM EST

"Why doesn't the holy Roman Catholic Church ordain women to the priesthood? Because Jesus didn't say so" Show me were in the bibles Jesus says to ordain priests at all, then realize the futility of this particular argument

Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI 09/10/2009 07:02 PM EST

This is not a complicated issue yet it keeps resurfacing. For those who support 'womens ordination',please give me biblical, theological, and magisterial backing for 'women priests'. This seems to be another one of those issues where emotion trumps reason for some people. You can't simply "rewrite" magisterial teachings in order to fulfill the will of man. Why doesn't the holy Roman Catholic Church ordain women to the priesthood? Because Jesus didn't say so. The Church doesn't presume to have the power to impose it's will over the will of Jesus. The Church cannot ordain women to the priesthood. The priesthood initiated by Christ involved men. That's the nature of ordained priesthood. Having said that, we all belong to the common priesthood of Christ.

Published by: Lee
Sulphur, La, US 09/09/2009 09:41 AM EST

Thank you Archbishop for standing up for our beloved Church. Too bad many of your brethren aren't doing the same when it comes to pro-abortion, "catholic" politicians. The American Church is in trouble and who can we complain to when the Bishops are part of the problem. STAND UP PLEASE!

Published by: Anglesey
Adelaide South Australia 09/08/2009 06:00 PM EST

If we aren't prepared to listen to the Magisterium who do we listen to? Ourselves. Christ gave each of us the authority to believe and teach what we believe. What a mess this attitude would create and has created. Thank God for the Pope and Bishops.

Published by: Dante
San Francicso, CA, USA 09/08/2009 10:25 AM EST

If the congregagtion of Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati as a whole support and stand behind Sister Louise (as the article states) then...doesn't this imply that the Congrgegation itself should be barred from teaching the Faith?

Published by: Patricia Joyce
Sydney/NSW/Australia 09/08/2009 01:11 AM EST

Congratulations to Sister Louise on her courage and justice stand she has taken in supporting Women's ordination. How tragic it is that so many are deprived of the Eucharist because of the Church's stand regarding this. You have been a voice for many other Sisters. Many thanks

Published by: rita
Houston/Tx/USA 09/07/2009 07:08 PM EST

Sister Barbara Hagedorn justifies Sister Louise’s disobedience to her bishop as "a matter of conscience." Perhaps sister should acquaint herself with the catechism (CCC) regarding conscience. #1783 reminds us we are tempted by sin to prefer our own judgment and reject authoritive teachings.

Published by: Hope F.
VA/USA 09/07/2009 05:50 PM EST

Bravo for Bishop Pilaczyk! I wish all our bishops would stand up for our faith the way he has. Why should our children be taught what this woman believes - against Church teaching. I think I would check out Sr. Barbara Hagedorn too, and find out what the entire order is teaching...

Published by: Nancy
Parkland, FL, USA 09/07/2009 03:50 PM EST

Thank you Archbishop Pilarczyk for doing your job well. It is the Women's Ordination Conference that is the bully, not you.

Published by: Teresa N
Acampo/CA/USA 09/07/2009 03:30 PM EST

Amen! to “someone who is teaching in the name of the church should be in accord with the teachings of the church.”

Published by: Dan
Boston,MA 09/07/2009 08:51 AM EST

Sorry to sound like a (what they would call) a misoginist jerk but, GET RID OF HER. Good riddance. And while they are at it, get rid of female altar servers. It's one thing to site the problem of a priest shortage but how could vocations be fostered while they have female altar servers? In all honesty, how many boys would want to be associated with something that girls do? And, by having female altar servers, that priveledge gimes them the mistaken hope that maybe someday they will become priests. Anyone feel the same way?

Published by: Mountainsister
West Virginia, USA 09/07/2009 08:40 AM EST

Having been born handicapped by having only XX chromosomes, I am banned from the seventh sacrament of the Catholic Church. The catechism should be rewritten to say that Holy Orders is one sacrament from which women may not receive the graces bestowed. There are six sacraments for women and seven sacraments for men. Period.

Published by: Jack
NY 09/06/2009 05:14 PM EST

Nuns should be praying and doing penance. They should stop acting like men and wear their habits.

Published by: Lynn
Carbondale, IL 09/05/2009 11:02 PM EST

A "properly formed" conscience would be in harmony with Church teaching (the Magisterium) and the Catechism.

Published by: Tim
Massachusetts 09/05/2009 06:40 PM EST

Among many other reasons, there is one particular reason that women must not ever be ordained; it is feminism. Feminism is another gospel, another religion altogether. It's theology, morality, and spirituality are as opposed to Catholicism as is paganism itself, because radical feminism IS a form of paganism. If women were to begin preaching in our Catholic pulpits, we would hear a body of teaching completely foreign to Christianity. Eco-pantheism; abortion as a right and a sacrament; "Our Mother, who art in heaven...." This would be the new religion proclaimed by woman priests. Besides, has the American Church not been emasculated enough by the current stock of liberal priests? Thanks be to God that Christ knew all this, and so forbade that women should ever be ordained in His Church.

Published by: MQ
Virginia 09/05/2009 02:34 PM EST

Her holiness, Sr. Louise Akers has spoken! From the mountain tops it is spoken, anyone and everyone will decide the course of the One Holy Apostolic Church. Damn those priests, bishops and Cardinals, let alone that Pope, today it's women priests and tomorrow? Well tomorrow we will see what needs to be changed and make those changes accordingly. Mr. Pope get in line if you have any ideas.

Published by: James Dominick
Blackstone/MA/US 09/05/2009 11:32 AM EST

It is very sad when people in religious life become so confused. It remindes me of lucifer when he turned against God. His pride and jealousy brought him to eternal damnation. Yes, Jesus chose men only, but the underlying reason for this is because, in the sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus is truly present in the priest. Jesus is offering himself on the cross for our redemption. Calvary is made present again. Jesus is a man. Would you have a woman play John Paul II, in a movie about his life. No, that would be ridiculous. People would think you were crazy. If the sisters want to find the value and dignity of women, they only need to look to the Blessed Mother. I wish that priests and Bishops would teach the people more about what actually takes place at the Sacrifice of the Mass.

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