Tony Flannery

Pope Francis, although your formal titles are Holy Father and Supreme Pontiff, I take this sacred opportunity to greet you as a brother, a friend, a collaborator in our service to and with God and with others.

I have no doubt your many years in Argentina engaged with the many economically poor people has been a powerful source of strength and grace. Those experiences prepared you to be noted for our deep pastoral spirit, your desire for collegiality and your vision that all of us in the Catholic community are called to be holy — to be saints!

This evening, at the Womens Ordination Conference here in Philadelphia, I had the pleasure of listening to Theresa Kane, the woman who spoke up to Pope John Paul asking for the ordination of women. She is old now, and somewhat stooped, but her voice is clear and strong. She has written a statement for Pope Francis, who is visiting this city next weekend. She read her statement out for us this evening.

Tomorrow, please God, I will be in Philadelphia, to attend and address the Womens Ordination Worldwide Conference.
I have already been reminded many times, and no later than this morning, that I should not be attending, that I am putting myself even more out on a limb, and greatly lessening whatever chance there might be of being restored to public ministry. I have been reminded that the sainted John Paul has said the final word on this subject, and that forever and a day, it can never be discussed again.