Excommunication Threatened for Woman Seeking Ordination

WWMT
May 29, 2014

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WEST MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A West Michigan Catholic bishop is informing parishioners they can be placed outside of full communion if they take part in an ordination ceremony this weekend.

The reason for the harsh warning is the person being ordained is a woman.

Local Catholic leaders say this could cause great confusion with in the church.

In his weekly newsletter Bishop Paul Bradley reminded parishioners that if they take part they can be placed outside of full communion with the church.

He called it a "simulation" ceremony and said church members must confess if they were there before receiving sacraments of the church.

The ceremony is part of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests.

Three Oaks resident Lilian Lewis is being ordained as a priest into the group.

The organization is not recognized with in the universal or the local Catholic Church.

In a statement released to us, Bishop Bradley said, "If this invalid 'ordination' takes place then the woman attempting ordination incurs an automatic excommunication. Any catholic attending or participating in this, or any invalid and illicit attempt at the sacrament of ordination, places themselves outside of full communion with the Catholic Church."

Lewis plans to be ordained in Three Oaks this weekend.

We will be following this story and you can look for more Thursday night at 5:00 and 6:00.