Maryknoll to dismiss priest over women’s ordination

THE Maryknoll Society has given peace activist Father Roy Bourgeois 15 days to “publicly recant” his support of women’s ordination or face dismissal from the missionary order.

The letter, which is dated March 18, is signed by Maryknoll superior-general Father Edward Dougherty and warns Bourgeois that his dismissal will also be forwarded to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith “with a request for laicization,” NCR Online reports.

Father Bourgeois, who attended and preached a homily at the ordination of Roman Catholic Womanpriest Janice Sevre-Duszunska in August 2008, was notified by the same congregation shortly after that event that he had incurred a Latae Senteniae, or automatic, excommunication for his participation.

If he does not respond with 15 days, the letter says he will be given a second warning, after which Dougherty will dismiss him for “publicly reject[ing] the teaching of the Holy Father.”

In an e-mailed statement this afternoon, Dougherty told NCR that Maryknoll is “very saddened” by the turn of events.

Father Bourgeois, who has been a member of Maryknoll for 44 years and a priest for 38, told NCR Online that he does not plan to recant his support.

See report from ucanews.com