A group of Catholics in Phoenix is protesting what it says were threats by Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmsted to prevent a Catholic author from talking about the feminine dimensions of God.Officials with the Phoenix diocese say Olmsted never tried to silence Edwina Gateley. Olmsted didn't ban Gateley from speaking at a center overseen by the diocese, but said he wanted to tape the talk.
Members of the lay Catholic group Call To Action, who advocate allowing women in the priesthood, have gathered 2,000 signatures on a petition they plan to give to Olmsted.
On Friday, Call To Action took out a paid advertisement in The Arizona Republic titled "Catholic Women Will Not Be Silenced."
It concludes by saying, "We support Edwina and the voices of Catholic women everywhere," and lists names of supporters, among them Tucson Call To Action vice president Laurie Olson.
Gateley, an author and theologian known for her ministry to marginalized women, was scheduled to speak about the tradition of imaging God in female form at a retreat attended by 30 nuns from across the country this week.
The retreat was held at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale.
Gateley canceled her appearance after Olmsted said he wanted to tape the talk, Call To Action members say. Gateley could not be reached for comment.
"If she comes to the diocese and is giving out information that is antithetical to church teaching, we want to know about it," diocese spokesman James Dwyer said.
The Franciscan Renewal Center is not technically diocesan property, but it is within the diocese's jurisdiction. Dwyer said he understood why Gateley might object to the taping for copyright reasons, so diocese officials offered to sign a waiver promising that they would not distribute the tape. But Dwyer said she refused the offer.
Gateley has previously spoken at Call To Action gatherings. Both Olmsted and Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas have said the group promotes messages contrary to church teaching.
Call To Action members and supporters decided to bring Gateley to Phoenix themselves. Gateley, of Chicago, will speak at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 7901 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix, at 5 p.m. Sunday.
"This is not the first time that the church hierarchy has tried to limit the ways that Catholics connect with God," said Nicole Sotelo, acting co-director of national Call to Action.
"The bishop cannot limit God to male-only labels. God is far beyond the ability of our limited human language to be accurately described."
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