Bishop Dunn asks Vatican to give women senior roles

SYDNEY — The bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish is calling on the Vatican to press ahead with the appointment of women in senior roles within the church.

Bishop Brian Dunn spoke at the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican last month.He told the large international gathering of bishops that the “deliberate and systematic involvement of women, giving them positions of leadership at every level of ecclesiastical life” is a necessary next step in church reforms.

A bowl?

The Sydney Deanery Pastoral Council is openly calling for the ordination of women as deacons, or senior ministers within the church. Deacons cannot preside over a church service in the same way priests can.Rev. Greg MacLeod, spokesman for the Sydney Deanery Pastoral Council, said it’s time for women to be recognized by giving them a larger role during mass and everyday church life.“Locally some people have raised the question ... and there has been some discussion where we asked the bishop to ask if we could begin with female deacons,” MacLeod said.“The church is very slow, it takes hundreds of years to change something. At least we can say, ‘At least step by step, let’s make some improvements where possible.’”MacLeod said he would eventually like to see female priests in the church.“Women should definitely become deacons and eventually they should become priests.”

Dunn couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.The bishop also proposed a four-point strategy to respond to the sex scandals that have shaken the church in recent years, including the diocese’s $18-million settlement with sexual abuse victims, and the child pornography charges against former bishop Raymond Lahey that led to his guilty plea and jail sentence.

He suggested a “ministry of listening” to people affected by abuse would take the shape of a reconciliation office in each diocese.Dunn is also calling for implementation of all necessary measures “to create safe environments for children and the most vulnerable” in the church. The bishop indicated he would like to see changes in the structure of the church with a greater shared authority and responsibility between clergy and lay people.

Diocese of Antigonish Website

Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization

Communique from Most Rev. Brian Dunn, Bishop of Antigonish, one of four Canadian Synodal Fathers. (Updated Sunday, Oct. 28th - click here to see most recent update!)

Friday, October 12
The morning involved more interventions including my own (see full text and commentary by John Allan of National Catholic Reporter ).

Does His Excellency read this dissident publication?


Here is a photo taken by the National Catholic Reporter after several hours of listening to interventions. I’m not sure what was on my mind, but the photo has captured one of those many moments when one is lost in thought!!!! (Photo NCR) 

The full text of Bishop Brian Dunn's Presentation at the Synod of Bishops - Oct. 13, 2012

Message to the People of God From the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
For More on the Synod of Bishop 2012

Diocese of Antigonish - New Pastoral Centre Chapel

Is there still no kneeling in the Diocese of Antigonish?

Gathered 'round His table...

listening to the Word.

The Holy Broom?

A flip phone?

What's the bowl for?