Women’s ordination group backs banned theologian

SUPPORTERS OF women’s ordination have pledged their support for Catholic theologian Tina Beattie, who as The Tablet revealed last week, has been banned from speaking on church property in the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, writes Sarah Mac Donald.

Miriam Duignan, a spokesperson for Women’s Ordination Worldwide (Wow), defended Professor Beattie as “a faithful Catholic” during their annual meeting in County Louth last week. “Why should her freedom of movement and freedom of speech be stopped just because she wants people to examine traditions?” she asked. “Just because she is asking questions she is being punished.”

Archbishop Leo Cushley ordered the Edinburgh Circle of the Newman Association to cancel an event Professor Beattie was due to speak at last month.