Religion and Churches

JACKSONVILLE, AL - June 17 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday July 2nd, 2005, The Most Reverend Lawrence J. Harms D.D., Presiding Archbishop of the American Catholic Church in the US, will ordain Deacon Maureen Sullivan as the first female Priest to the Catholic Priesthood in the ACCUS.



Deacon Sullivan chose to fulfill her calling to serving God's people in the capacity of a Priest. She holds a Masters in Social Work degree and works for the Cleburne County School System.

Deacon Sullivan began her journey to the priesthood as a postulant in a Roman Catholic order of Nuns, The Daughters of Charity approximately 33 years ago. Since then, Maureen has served the Catholic church as an educator, liturgist and advocate for the poor (especially women) and the disenfranchised.

ACCUS permits the ordination of women to the priesthood, as well as allows their clergy to marry. Today Maureen is married. She and her husband Charles Markley, Jr have raised four successful children. Charles and Andrew have pursued careers in Real Estate Banking, Joanmarie is an attorney and Janelle Marie is currently a student at SUNY Albany.

Deacon Sullivan is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Andrew and Joan Sullivan as well as one of four siblings. One of her brothers is a Roman Catholic Priest.

Send2Press® is the originating wire service for this story.