Former North Side Catholic nun gets ‘ordained’
By MICHAEL SNEED msneed@suntimes.com February 22, 2012 9:02AM
Judy Beaumont during Ordination as a Roman Catholic woman priest in an unsanctioned ceremony for which she excommunicated.
Article Extras
Updated: March 23, 2012 8:06AM
The Nun’s Story ...
A former North Side Catholic nun was “ordained” a priest recently in an unsanctioned church ceremony in Fort Myers, Fla.
She was immediately ex-communicated from the Catholic church.
“I reject that,” said Judy Beaumont, 74 — the former Sister Mary Daniel — who grew up in Rogers Park before becoming a Benedictine nun who taught theology at St. Scholastica Academy.
Beaumont, who is now referred to as Pastor Judy, was ordained by the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests.
“We are following our conscience and we are full loyal members of the church,” said Beaumont.
“We will do everything we can to bring about a new way of inclusivity in the church,” said Beaumont, who is now the 11th priest ordained by her group.
The key differences in the women’s “ordination” ceremony are:
† They don’t take a vow of obedience to the bishop. (“It basically denies you the ability to follow your conscience.”)
† Their bishop is a woman, who serves as a spiritual adviser.
† They don’t take a vow of celibacy and allow married, single, grandmothers, gay and straight women into the priestly fold.
† Rather than always referring to God as a “he,” their church language is more inclusive. The “Our Father” prayer reads “Our Mother/Father, who art in heaven.”
“The institutional church will not hire any of us to do church ministry, so we do what we can ministering in hospitals and to the homeless,” she said. “We hold Sunday mass in “church” houses and live on donations. “Stepping outside the institution is hard.”
Two more women are being ordained priests in the next few days, Beaumont added. “I didn’t decide I wanted to become a priest, it was a calling,” she said.
The Cole object . . .
Yikes! He’s back!
Tony Cole, a former Cook County employee, who’s...
† been hauled off to jail for obstruction of justice and resisting arrest.
† fired in the midst of a patronage scandal after lying about his criminal background on an application scandal.
† arrested several times after his dismissal.
† subjected his former mentor/boss Cook County Board President John Stroger to a maelstrom of dum dum shells — is in the news again!
† Translation: The erratic/temperamental Cole, a former steakhouse busboy befriended by Stroger who hired him and promoted him to a $61,000 a year position in the county Highway Department, was back in Cook County Criminal Court Tuesday, charged with felony theft and fraud!
† The stats: Cole, 32, is now accused of....
† falsely receiving subsidized housing benefits from the government when he had a job.
† stating he was unemployed while he had a job with the county.
† theft of about $5,000 in funds provided for rent and utilities at his South Side apartment.
A judge set Cole’s bond at $25,000 on Tuesday.
Protest ’em . . .
It’s war: Sneed hears the Chicago Teachers Union sent out robo calls urging their teacher/members to take a personal day Wednesday to rally against school closings.
† To wit: A flood of teachers may show up at the Chicago Board of Education meeting Wednesday.
†Upshot II: A flood of substitute teachers may fill CPS classrooms Wednesday.
The duchess file . . .
Good grief. The secret is out. The royal Kate, a k a the Duchess of Cambridge, has named her black English spaniel “Lupo,” which means “wolf” in Italian don’tchaknow. Well, bow wow and now I can stop worrying about getting scooped.
Hoop scoop . . .
Legendary hoopster Michael Jordan was treated to a surprise 49th birthday party by his fiancee, Yvette Prieto, in Miami Friday night. Nearly three dozen buddies, including Derek Jeter and Ahmad Rashad, showed up in the wine cellar at the Forge restaurant, where singer Paula Abdul was eating — and surprised Jordan with an impromptu “Happy Birthday” song.
†Who wasn’t there: Golfer Tiger Woods, who was once on the receiving end of lifestyle advice from the roving Hoopster.
†Wonder if Jordan’s birthday wish was for his Charlotte Bobcats team, which may set the record for the worst-ever NBA season.
Hoop scoop II . . .
$$$$: Did Vanessa Bryant time her divorce action to coincide with the California divorce world: A 10-year marriage, which falls into the fiscally prudent category of a long term marriage when getting spliced.
Mick’s pick . . .
Spotted getting a tour of the West Wing at the White House Monday: rocker Mick Jagger and his present significant other, designer L’Wren Scott.
The Houston chronicle . . .
So Sneed has been wondering: Why didn’t actor Denzel Washington attend Whitney Houston’s funeral?
†She starred with him in “The Preacher’s Wife,” which they starred in after she made the Kevin Costner film “The Bodyguard.” Kevin showed. Denzel didn’t. Was he not invited? If not, why not? Just asking.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment