Newnan Woman Defies Catholic Ban on Female Priests: A Talk with Diane Dougherty

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On October 20th, Diane Dougherty of Newnan, a former Catholic nun, went through the Catholic ceremony of ordination to the priesthood.  Of course, her ordination was not recognized by the Church, which has a ban on female priests.  A statement from Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory said any woman who claims ordination has excommunicated herself from the Church.  But Dougherty insists she remains a Catholic, and says she will start her ministry in the homes of those who are attracted to it.  Her ordination was supervised by a group called the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests.  Dougherty spoke with WABE’s Denis O’Hayer.