Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on a story in today’s Indianapolis Star that has some people wondering:
The term “a woman scorned” is an apt description of those elderly Catholic gals who like to play dress up and pretend they’re priests. The latest poor soul is Maria Thornton McClain, a 71-year old former nun who has declared herself to be a priest. But if she is in need of help, what kind of assistance is available for those who run the Indianapolis Star? They put this Father Maria hoax on page 1 of the B Section; the website features 17 pictures of her and her fans.
“The Roman Catholic Church does not recognize the ordination of women, but more and more women are answering the call as part of a reform movement,” the paper says. However, it is also true that the Indianapolis Star does not recognize the installation of cub reporters as Star journalists. But what if more and more cub reporters were answering the call as part of a reform movement and started promoting themselves to the public as if they were employees of the Star? Would the newspaper treat them as legitimate? Or would they call 911?
A spokesman for CORPUS, a group that actually thinks Maria is a priest, is quoted as saying, “we have to stand up for inclusivity.” He’s wrong. As a matter of fact, the requirements to join Maria’s “priesthood” are quite restrictive: women 50 and older have to have a theology degree and those under 50 have to have a Master’s degree in theology or divinity. Music majors take note—you can take a walk.
We would report this blatant age discrimination policy to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission if we thought there were any young Catholic females who want to join Maria’s camp. But there aren’t. Priest envy, as everyone knows, is confined exclusively to old Catholic women.
Contact the president and publisher of the newspaper: karen.crotchfelt@indystar.com
