Ray Bourgeous excommunicated for support of women's ordination

Briefing. This is important because it shows that the discipline of the Church is still being exercised, and the claim that women can and should be ordained is regarded as extremely serious. Since numerous dissident 'Catholic' groups in the UK support the ordination of women, many with varying degrees of clerical support, this is very relevant.

See, for example, our dossiers on Advent Group, Catholics for a Changing Church, Women Word Spirit (CWN).

From CW News: An American priest has evidently been excommunicated because of his active support for the ordination of women, and his participation in ceremonies simulating ordination. Father Ray Bourgeois received a warning from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in December, informing him that if he did not recant his position supporting women's ordination within 30 days he would face excommunication; the Maryknoll priest replied that he would not change his stand. The Maryknoll Society has now confirmed that the Congregation has contacted that its leaders 'did receive a confidential communiqué from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, and forwarded the contents of that communiqué to Father Bourgeois.' Although the Society refused to discuss the contents of that message, citing confidentiality, a spokesman confirmed to the National Catholic Register that since the 30-day period had passed, it was logical to assume that the sentence of excommunication had been imposed. [CWNews]