Women Bishops

How Appropriate to receive this information this Sunday morning April 28, 2019. Printed in News Europe:

Women bishops were active in fifth century

SEE THE ATTACHED IMAGE of the FRESCO. 

Evidence: 

The fresco of Cerula surrounded by the Gospels

Victoria Ward in London

See my comments following this important article:

A fresco unearthed in an Italian catacomb suggests that women were acting as bishops in the early Christian church, academics claim.

The fifth century image of a woman named Cerula shows her surrounded by open, flaming Gospel books, symbolic of the role of a bishop. Academics said the discovery, in San Gennaro, Naples, was "incredibly significant" and proved that women held senior roles in the early church.

It could mean that millions will have to rethink the origins of their faith.

The revelations are made in Jesus's Female Disciples: The New Evidence, due to be aired on Channel 4 next weekend. The programme also suggests Jesus had many more female disciples than previously thought.

Bible experts Helen Bond and Joan Taylor visited the catacomb in Naples, where, in the early third century, the Christians began to bury their dead and pave the walls with frescoes.

The wall paintings, hidden for 1,000 years, were rediscovered in 1971 and recently restored. Cerula was painted in the late fifth or early sixth century and is depicted in the praying position with the "chi-rho" symbol of Christ over her head. Crucially, she is surrounded by open volumes of all four gospels, suggesting she had real influence and responsibility.

Dr Ally Kateusz, a Christian art expert, told the show: "It's really extraordinary because bishops were associated with the gospels. Bishops, and bishops only, had open gospel books placed over their heads during their ordination ritual."

Dr Luca Badini, from the Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research, said: "It was known that women bishops were preaching at that time but very little evidence exists of it. There are still some people who argue on the basis of tradition, stating that they can't allow women to minister because it's never been done before, but of course, that's not true."

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Carol's Reflection:

The Universe never ceases to amaze me.

Just yesterday I claimed publicly for anyone to read, that I am the Eighth Bishop who was present at the Feast celebrating Santa Maria de Montserrat.

Today this article comes across my computer. I feel encouraged by this knowledge and grateful to share it.

I know there will always be those who will not accept, that's the way it is with humans. It is very difficult to unlearn and to allow ourselves to disbelieve what we have believed to always be true...

Fact is, the Universe, Science, great Hearts of Truth, know that there is nothing that doesn't evolve, grow and change, because that is the way creation constantly is.

All we need do is pay attention to the seasons of the year to know we are in a constant cycle of birth, life, death, birth, life, death, birth....That is what the Paschal Mystery is all about: Jesus' Birth, Life, Death, New Life which is Birth and the cycle continues through us.

Yep, it is simply the way it is, whether or not we believe it.

In my years of personal evolution, I have learned to choose different words. I no longer say I BELIEVE anything. However, there are very important things that I KNOW for certain because of all that has been shown me through my experience and the experiences all around me.

My challenge to all of us today is to make a couple of lists:

What do you believe?

What do you know? 

Take some time to think about and compare your lists. 

How are your lists the same or different?

Do you teach your heart to be open to new ways of understanding?

Do you feel it is important to hold to the childhood truths that you consider the most sacred?

Is it possible that you are being invited into another layer of the most sacred?

What are the consequences if you hold on to what you have always believed? If you allow yourself to consider other possibilities of the Sacred being revealed to you?

Do you think God revealed truth to you once and for all?

Do you think God continues to reveal divine truth to you?

Where are you most comfortable? In what truth?

What is your truth?

So many questions - Remember, I only share with you, the questions that I ask myself. God is an amazing reality. I don't want to miss knowing, experiencing, feeling what God has for me today.

Brothers and Sisters, be at peace in the truth you hold dear.

Carol 

AKA Bishop Sophia, Independent Catholic 

AKA The Reverend Doctor Carol P Vaccariello.

AKA Pastor Carol. 

AKA simply me 

loving you