GREG Reynolds is grateful that heretics are no longer burnt at the
stake.
But the Catholic parish priest at Western Port knows that he will
be dismissed after this article because Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart
has told him so.
Father Reynolds, 57, delivered a homily in his three
parish churches two months ago saying it was God's will for the church
to have women priests and that, by refusing them, the church was
obstructing the work of the Holy Spirit.
So none of his congregation would feel the need to report him, he sent his homily to Archbishop Hart.
''I am convinced in my heart that it is God's will that
we should have women priests … I feel prompted by the Holy Spirit to
share my position publicly, and yet very reluctantly,'' the sermon said.
''I believe certain women are being called by God to the
ministerial priesthood, and our official church is obstructing the work
of the Holy Spirit. I feel I can no longer sit back and remain silent.''
He conceded that as ''an insignificant little parish
priest'' he lacked the profound theological training to contradict papal
teaching, ''but some things you just know in your heart, in the core of
your being''.
Father Reynolds has since had amicable discussions with
auxiliary bishop Tim Costelloe, then the archbishop himself, who warned
the priest that if he went public the archbishop would be forced to
dismiss him.
Father Reynolds re-examined the arguments but remained
convinced he was both right and had to speak out.
He said as many as 80 per cent of Catholics agreed with
him, including many priests who confirm it privately, even though Pope
Benedict earlier this year placed advocating women's ordination
alongside paedophilia as a ''grave crime''.
He said he was a loyal Catholic but believed in loyal dissent: the church needs people who speak the truth.
Archbishop Hart said yesterday that Pope John Paul II had
stated with his authority that the Catholic Church did not have the
power to ordain women priests.
''That's the church's position, and
that's my position.''
Asked what would happen next, he said: ''I'm not going to
speculate. What might happen is between any individual and church
authorities.''
Father Reynolds said he expected to be dismissed.
His
faculties to act as a priest would probably be revoked and, in the
worst-case scenario, he might be excommunicated.
He said he believed he was a loyal Catholic.
''I've
always felt the concept of loyal dissent is very valid. This is what the
church needs - people who speak the truth as they see it.''
Nevertheless, Father Reynolds had a thought to spare for
his archbishop, saying ''I wouldn't be a Catholic if I didn't feel
guilty''.
He feels guilt for burdening his already overworked brother
priests and the archbishop.
''He's got the toughest church job in the
country, and I'll be creating another little headache for him. But
generally I feel at peace and right about what I am doing.''
SIC: TA/AUS