A group of San Diego Roman Catholics with Call To Action, a coalition for Catholic reform, is calling for the equality of women in the church. It's part of a nationwide effort to let women be priests.
American Priest Roy Bourgeois could be defrocked after 38 years in the priesthood for advocating women’s rights within the Catholic Church. A dozen San Diego sympathizers, including nuns, protested on his behalf outside of Good Shepherd Church in Mira Mesa on Thursday.
Priests from around the county were gathered at the church for the "Chrism Mass," a special ceremony conducted by Bishop Robert Brom to bless oils before they're distributed to San Diego parishes.
Sister Cora Weismantel, who held a sign which read, "God calls women to priesthood," said many priests support women’s rights, but only in private.
"I have to be here because of who I am and how I feel about the sexism of the church," said Weismantel. "I could not look at my nieces, and I could not look at these young people and say I did nothing."
Weismantel said it's wrong that woman are forced to hear only a man preach the scriptures at Mass.
Bourgeois was excommunicated in 2008 for participating in the attempted ordination of a woman. He faces dismissal from his religious order for refusing to alter his stand.
Protester Donna Dinan said she's sad and outraged that there is no dialogue between bishops and Call To Action members.
"What does that say about openness and love and attention to our spiritual life? It’s a sad commentary," she said.
The diocese declined to comment on the protest.
