by Joshua J. McElwee
Supporters of Maryknoll Fr. Roy Bourgeois have been hosting vigils at Masses across the country this week, standing outside churches and cathedrals with signs backing the embattled priest.
Bourgeois, a longtime peace activist, has been threatened with dismissal from the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers and laicization by the Vatican for his support of women's ordination.
In a press release Tuesday, Call to Action described the vigils as a way to also show support for "women priests in the Catholic Church."
"As millions of Catholics across the country attend services this Holy Week, the majority of those attending are women, but not one priest leading the services will be a woman," said Jim FitzGerald, the group's executive director.
"It is deeply unjust that while women make up the majority of Catholic Church membership today, they are still forbidden to share their ministerial talents in the role of priest."
Below is a slideshow of photos provided by Call to Action of Bourgeois supporters attending vigils in Los Angeles, Calif.; Savannah, Ga.; Venice, Fla.; Chicago, Ill.; and Madison, Wisc.
