Protest asks Catholic church for women priests

Women who want to be Catholic priests held their annual protest outside Holy Thursday Mass at the Cathedral in Center City Philadelphia.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Women’s Ordination Conference held a prayer vigil outside the Cathedral as priests renewed their commitment to service inside. Regina Bannan of the group said women need to have the opportunity to become priests.

“The church isn’t hearing us right now, every year there are a huge number of buses, blocking our vision sometimes, but not blocking the view of younger people coming to this Mass celebrating the priesthood, understanding it is an injustice, the church will gradually move we believe,” said Bannan.

Eileen McCafferty-DiFranco was ordained by a group separate from the Roman Catholic Church.

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“God calls women and men to be priests for men to say to say only men are called to be priests is silly and egotistical,” said McCafferty-DiFranco.

The group believes that eventually women will be welcomed to be priests.

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