One of the best parts of the conference of the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests last week was renewing old friendships and making new ones.
Bishop John Stowe, OFM, bishop of Lexington, Kentucky, and I became acquainted three or four years ago when I contacted him about some of his positions on major issues of social justice. He is one of the bright lights of the U.S. hierarchy, a real Pope Francis bishop.
A new friend I discovered at the conference is Anna Robertson, attending as a presenter for Discerning Deacons, a group advocating for women in ministry, especially as deacons. And she is more than a friend. I learned she is my first cousin twice removed!
Another previous friend at the conference was Sr. Kathy Duffy, SSJ, who presented a commentary on the theology of Fr. Teilhard de Chardin, a French Jesuit whose thought is receiving new interest in the present day. Kathy and I first became acquainted years ago when she was a retreat leader for the Maryknollers who gathered in Hua Hin, Thailand each year.
Bishop Stowe was not the only member of the hierarchy at the conference. The bishop of Rome also made an appearance.
