Catholic Church Prepares For Ordination Of Transgender Priest      
Written by Instinct Staff
Tuesday, 08 January 2013

http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/catholic-church-prepares-for-ordination-of-transgender-priest?directory=100011

Shannon Kearns

If you just looked out the window to see if pigs are soaring across the clouds, you're not alone. The North American Old Catholic Church, a congregation that combines Catholic teachings with progressive values, is set to ordain a transgender priest in Minnesota.

GLAAD shares the press release detailing the ordination of Shannon T.L. Kearns:

QuoteThe North American Old Catholic Church, one of the largest Old Catholic bodies in the United States, will ordain Shannon T.L. Kearns to the priesthood on January 19, 2013. Kearns, who is a transgender man, will be tasked with starting a new Minneapolis parish, House of the Transfiguration, after his ordination. This will be a pioneering parish in Minnesota; one that combines the traditions of the church with progressive perspectives and embraces all people.

Kearns has a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. While in seminary he transitioned from female to male. Kearns says, "I am honored and humbled to have my calling to ministry affirmed by the North American Old Catholic Church. I look forward to many years serving as a priest."

Congrats, Father Kearns!

It's always great reading stories such as this. Congratulations, Fr. Kearns.

The title is a little bit misleading, as the NAOCC is not the same as the Roman Catholic Church.

In the terms of an already existing thread, "Would You Rather"

A. Stay with observing pigs souring across the clouds.

OR

B. Congratulate Shannon Kearns

Answer is A, thank you. The prospects of B are just beyond my wildest level of comprehension.

Akin to air lifting a marine biologist to the now sinking ill fated Titanic, in the overly optimistic understanding he can both repair the damage AND maintain its record breaking sailing time.

Bewildered
Catherine

It just proves that not all Catholics adhere to what the Dope Pope says.

Congratulations, Fr. Kearns.

This is SO great! Even if he's not affiliated with the Roman Catholic church; I still like this step in the right direction.  Congrats Father Kearns.

http://www.believeoutloud.com/latest/progressive-catholics-ordain-transgender-priest

The North American Old Catholic Church, one of the largest Old Catholic bodies in the United States, will ordain Shannon T.L. Kearns to the priesthood on January 19, 2013. Kearns, who is a transgender man, will be tasked with starting a new Minneapolis parish, House of the Transfiguration, after his ordination.

I bet only to try to save a dying religion, In Shia Islam we have always accepted and even provide 50% financial assistance to all Shia transgenders.







Edited per rule 10

Quote10. Bashing or flaming of any individuals or groups is not acceptable behavior on this web site and will not be tolerated in the slightest for any reason.  This includes but is not limited to:
Advocating the separation or exclusion of one or more group from under the Transgender umbrella term
Suggesting or claiming that one segment or sub-segment of our community is more legitimate, deserving, or more real than any others

Does anyone else note the name of his church "House Of Transfiguration"   quite appropriate I would say. I'll put my own sermon on that down in the Christianity forum. 

Hummm. I did note that in the first read, but thought it compliant with the rest of the act to fiollow; thus not really noteworthy.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him wearing rainbow coloured vestments and a plethora of other vestiges proporting to be GLBTIQ compliant.

You may have to excuse my overall scarism, as I have little faith in theses orthodox organisations.

Huggs
Catherine

Quote from: Catherine Sarah on April 25, 2013, 10:26:44 PM
You may have to excuse my overall scarism, as I have little faith in theses orthodox organisations.

I go to an Episcopal Church with a very similar name (The Church Of The Transfiguration) which was named such over 60 years ago, long before I realized what I was.  Our pastor and I get a big kick out of it and are just happy that the overall church and this parish are aceepting of me.

In addition to my own regular church, I do have friends who belong to NAOCC. I am familiar with the church and have been to the ordination of two of their clergy. It is anything BUT orthodox aside from the use of a variety of older church liturgies.  These people do feel they are called as ministers in a basic Christian church element, and most have been rejected by more mainline Christian Churches.  Some have been violently driven from faiths they hold to heart and you would think driven from all thought of religion, but they honestly feel their destiny is in such a worship and belief pattern.  They do not relate to the Mega Evangelical Protestant Church style of worshp and so NAOCC and its liturgical similarities to the catholic traditions are best for them. 

I do however see where you could be finding some cynicism thinking about what is going on here.

I wish the Old Catholics (or Utrecht Catholicism, or Ultrajectine Catholicism, or what have you) in Canada were more accepting. Most Christian bodies in Canada in their respective localities can generally be more non-accepting to transpeople than accepting, but I suppose that the population in the United States is just much denser.

Congratulations to Fr. Shannon, and I pray that his ministry will be fruitful!