JESUS NEVER EXCOMMUNICATED ANYONE

Roy Bourgeois, of Maryknoll, was excommunicated November 24, 2008 for not recanting his public statements supporting the ordination of women (more).

Jesus the Great Teacher never excommunicated anyone.

Jesus welcomed all; included all. He welcomed the despised tax collector, a Roman collaborator. He welcomed the centurion, a killer. He included the prostitute. He praised the alien Samaritan. He did not shun the diseased leper as custom required, instead healed him. To the woman taken in adultery, Jesus said, “I do not condemn you.” To his murders, Jesus gave forgiveness. To the thief he said, “You will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus confronted the rigid and legalistic Pharisees, but did not ostracize them. Rather he dialogued with them.

When Jesus fed thousands with a communion of bread and fish, he did not turn away even one person. He would not have turned away one person – and certainly not over a difference of opinion, as is the case with this excommunication of Roy Bourgeois.

We wish that those who claim Jesus as the basis for their authority would learn to follow his example of inclusiveness, tolerance, forbearance, and openness.

Jesus taught, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. . . . Do not judge your brother for the speck in his eye, but rather see the log in your own eye.” . . . “If you recall you have a quarrel with your brother, leave your gift upon the altar, and first be reconciled with your brother.” Even if your gift is on the main altar at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. (Paraphrase of Matthew 7:1 – 5, Matthew 5:23 – 24)

Roy Bourgeois, wear your excommunication order like a badge of honor. You are living the Kingdom through your pursuit of justice for the disenfranchised. Hear the words of Jesus spoken to you: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12 NIV)

Roy, receive our grateful thanks for your courage and for your work. Thank you for honoring women priests.

If I could journey to old Palestine and meet Jesus, I know that he would agree to dialogue with me, even though he might not agree with everything I say. The point is not that we should all agree with one another on the minutiae of theology or policy – that’s not going to happen. Rather, we should all “be of one mind, united in thought and purpose” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT); that is, accepting one another as beloved sisters and brothers. There is no unity if even one person is excluded. No one should be excommunicated, not over a difference of opinion, not over any other inconsequential thing, not over anything in fact.

Maybe someday the Pope will learn to practice inclusiveness and will approve of women priests (why not? other Christian Churches have women in ministerial roles). Maybe someday his Church will finally be a Church for both women and men.