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Priesthood gains a new, different face
By JEAN JOHNSON SPRING HILL -- Anne Stewart has become the first female priest in the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America since the church began allowing the ordination of women in 1999. The church is the American branch of a worldwide independent Catholic church that broke with Rome in 1945. Stewart said she was "full of wonder" during the almost two-hour ceremony at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, with about 50 worshipers attending. "I thought it was wonderful." Although she has attended many ordinations, "I don't think anything could have prepared me (for this) emotionally. Experiencing an ordination is so different from participating in one. "In other words," she said, "there is nothing to compare it with." After her ordination to the deaconate in November 1998, Stewart, who also has a doctorate in nursing ethics from Boston College, continued as a deacon for several years at All Saints Parish, a Spring Hill church community of about 50 members who worship in a building they share with a Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist community at 10062 May Gold Lane. Currently, Stewart is an associate professor of nursing at California State University, Sacramento, teaching ethics to graduate and undergraduate students. However, her foremost ministry is providing care to marginalized populations, especially homeless and HIV-positive people. "I'm deeply committed to it, and that's why the apostolic church was so appealing to me," she said. "The church was established out of concerns for social justice, and that is the focus that continues to be supported by the church as a whole." Stewart was led into the ministry when working with and providing a nursing ministry to homeless people in Boston. She became acquainted with a deacon in the apostolic church. "The more I found out, the more I liked what I heard and became active in the church. "I took course work at Harvard Divinity School because the Catholic Church won't admit women into seminary," said the 56-year-old widowed mother of three. The Most Rev. Michel Pugin, ordaining and diocesan bishop for the southern United States, praised Stewart. "Anne is a wonderful candidate for the priesthood; superbly educated, deeply spiritual and a tireless worker with a deep love for the poor and marginalized in our society," he said in a news release. During the ceremonies, Pugin, who was ordained in the Roman Catholic Church, admitted that he was against the ordination of women to the priesthood for years. "It is ironic that I was the one to oppose it and the one to lay hands on her head," said Pugin. The service was in turns solemn and humorous. Bishop William Fite, pastor of All Saints Parish, spoke of his 12-year relationship with Stewart and talked about her transformation to priest. "I can tell you that after today," said Fite, speaking to Stewart, "you will never be the same. You will use God's gift in ways that everyone here cannot imagine. . . . I invite you to begin the greatest adventure of your life." The Catholic liturgy and litany was stunning, warm and meaningful. Parish council president Edward Leitsch, who has been with the church since its inception, said he was "delighted" with Stewart. "I think Anne is an exceptional woman to penetrate the all-boys club," Leitsch said. "I think our church will be better off because she's here. I just hope it leads to many more women being able to come forward if they're so inclined to pursue this goal." Deacon James Marsh was raised in the Episcopalian faith but joined the apostolic church about five years ago. He was ordained last December. His life has undergone a metamorphosis, not only through religion. He left the construction business after 30 years and is going into nursing while studying for the priesthood. The 53-year-old married Brooksville native, who assists in all worship services, said, "Anne is one of my mentors, and it's a marvelous time for her and for the church to step forward." Stewart said part of her ministry will allow her to "be outside the social welfare system and provide nursing care and psychiatric services and simply let the spiritual aspect of my ministry come through with what I do rather than in terms of preaching or even direct spiritual counseling." Although originally Stewart intended to go no further than the deaconate, she said she felt something telling her that becoming a priest was what she was supposed to do. "I feel my vocation has changed," she said. When asked if she believed she could help more as a priest than a deacon, she said: "That's getting into deep water. When ordained as a deacon, you will be that for life. When ordained as a priest, that's an additional thing, and I guess I can't say yet how that will change me." About the church"CACINA is a completely independent and self-governing body, neither Roman Catholic nor Protestant, but simply Catholic. "CACINA welcomes all people, regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation, to participation in the life and Sacraments of the Church; asking only moral conduct that is appropriate for all Christians. "Though its roots are Latin American and Roman, CACINA, today, is a thoroughly American Catholic Church which seeks to integrate the uniquely American cultural experience with the ancient traditions of the Catholic Faith." Source: www.cacina.org
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