TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) -
It's never happened at all in
Toledo. A woman, ordained as a Catholic priest.
But it's controversial.
The ordination will not be
recognized by the Diocese of Toledo.
Don't call her Father, rather Rev.
Beverly Bingle.
Women aren't allowed to be priests
in the Catholic Church.
Rev. Bingle had already been
excommunicated after being ordained as a deacon last year.
In a statement, the Diocese called
the Saturday ceremony, "invalid and illicit."
Rev. Bingle has her own ideas as to
why the church doesn't recognize women priests.
"I think it's part of the
economic structure of the church and they're afraid that we will do something
different, and I think that's true," said Rev. Bingle.
The ordination was conducted by a
bishop from a group called 'Roman Catholic Women Priests.'
Its website reports there are now
women priests in 29 states.
Rev. Bingle says she answered a
calling from God to become a priest when she was eight years old.
"We are not just looking for
ordination for women, we're also looking for a renewed Catholic church,"
said Rev. Bingle.
Rev. Bingle is starting her own
church.
Mass will be held every Sunday at
5:30pm at Unity of Toledo on Executive Parkway.
"I'm enthralled. It's
wonderful. It's great. She's a beautiful person," said Lillian Lewis, who
attended the ordination.
Despite her excommunication and lack
of recognition by the diocese, many folks support Rev. Bingle and other women
priests.
"The church needs women voices
in higher places. This is a beginning," said John Houk.
"I think it's a great idea and
I'd like to see her minister to more people," added Phil Klunk.
A ministry that's new to Toledo yet
shunned by local Catholic officials.
Copyright 2012 Toledo News Now. All rights reserved.
