Annual protest in favor of women priests hits Philadelphia

Women who want to be Catholic priests held their annual protest outside Holy Thursday services in Philadelphia.

The protesters came out after services at the Cathedral in Center City.  Among them was Regina Bannon of the Women’s Ordination Conference of Southeastern Pennsylvania.  She says the church needs women to be thought of as equals but doesn’t expect it to happen anytime soon.

“It’s probably going to take a meltdown of the church, I think the church is destroying itself by it’s excessive promotion of self protection and lack of commitment to it’s real ideals,” said Bannon.

Protester Judy Heffernan says she never felt a calling to be a nun, only to the priesthood.

“Since I was five years old I had a calling to ordained ministry.  I have a masters in divinity from a Catholic seminary, I believe it’s the right thing for the church for the people for the world,” said Heffernan.

This annual protest was first held in Philadelphia in 1980.