Holding dissent while moving forward: Part III


Earlier this year, the famed Celtic author John Phillip Newell came forward with a startling announcement that he was relinquishing his status as an ordained minister in the Church of Scotland. In this courageous and transparent podcast, Newell does go into why he was now part of a vast "diaspora" of those who left the church of their birth. What was even more compelling was how he went on to express his nine "spiritual yearnings" that comprised his newly articulated "Yes!" So after writing about what has become my "no longer" in the previous blog entries, I now intend to move in the positive realm of where I'm heading to live out my "now becoming." 

For the past few years, I've tried hard to make room in my spirit for those who hold different spiritual temperaments from that of my own. I'm now ready to give myself that same permission to worship in a way that allows me to honor my deeply inherent inclusive nature. At my center, I am a connector, a conciliator who celebrates the beauty of diversity. For me as a Catholic Christian, this movement forward allows me to honor my faith in a place where I can affirm women and encourage their giftedness for the good of all. I can also affirm those brothers and sisters who are gay, lesbian, transexual, bisexual, questioning/queer, intersex and asexual in nature and in accord with God's plan.

Over the past 2 1/2 years, I have grown to miss being with a community that prays together in liturgical rhythm. Not wishing to abandon my love for so much that is within the Catholic Church, I found a community that yearns to cherish this heritage and story in a way that is free from the bondage of clericalism, patriarchy and the poisonous and disabling effects of exclusion. I can continue to honor the leadership of Pope Francis and those bishops whose bold leadership moves us towards a transformational (rather than a transactional) relationship with Christ and all others. Being in a small fledgling community places us closer to the margins where the poor, the ignored and suffering are. In this way, we are open to greater relationship and connection with a host of other willing people and communities of good will.

Sherry and I began attending the Holy Family Inclusive Catholic Community in the weeks after attending Mary Kelderman's installation as bishop for the Roman Catholic Women Priests USA in September. To actually be able to live in congruence with my vision for a more balanced faith community gives me great hope and joy. I can now sing that song, "All are Welcome" with an earnest spirit! 

Just as the Kingdom of God is both here and not fully yet, so is the church. We are becoming but we haven't yet reached our destination. Worshipping in a community that supports and honors women priests is our way of living into that which is yet for the church. Indeed, I am utterly convinced that this is what the church will soon be looking like. Some will simply need to pardon us for wanting this now.

A closing note to my beloved brothers and sisters who continue in the church as it is: I continue to honor your gifts and your hearts that seek to love and be authentic followers of Christ. Realizing that each of us is on our own journey of beatitude and holiness, I acknowledge and respect that we are all called to discover our own authentic way of being in this world as loving children of God. I don't expect that you would necessarily follow me but I will pray earnestly that you do lean more intentionally into your way of embodying the truth. 

To echo this hope, the indomitable Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB said, "If you stay [in the church] don't stay quietly....and if you leave, don't leave quietly." To all who have followed my spiritual journey during these past three blogs, I thank you heartily and pray that we all...ALL find common ground in manifesting Divine Love in this place and in this amazing time we find ourselves set within. Peace and all good to you +

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