A Woman Catholic Priest ?

Gabriella Velardi Ward, a Catholic architect from New York, says she has been a Catholic priest since July of 2008. She celebrates her version of the Catholic Mass in her home as the Catholic Church does not recognise her self-assumed ecclesiastical role.

Gabriella says that she has been ordained by a worldwide organisation called the Roman Catholic Womenpriests.

This organisation believes that as women and men are created equal by God, they can therefore equally represent Christ.

Before being ordained as a woman priest, the organisation requires a college degree in divinity, theology, or other related subject, a litany of religious and community experience, among others.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests assert that they a reform movement within the Catholic Church and are not a schism.

Gabriella, a 63-year-old mother of two, wanted to become a priest since she was young. She stayed away from the Catholic Church after high school and did not return until she was in her 40s. She then became very active in a local church and once again felt the overwhelming desire to become a priest.

Apparently, according to Cannon Law, ordained women priests are subject to ex-communication by the Catholic Church.

Despite the Catholic Church's decree against women priests, there are allegedly approximately 125 ordained women "Catholic" priests around the world. Some women priests say they are keeping their practice discreet to avoid trouble.

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