Source: huffingtonpost.com

Georgia Walker (center) is seen during her ordination ceremony, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Georgia Walker, the Missouri woman who underwent an unsanctioned ordination ceremony earlier this month in an attempt to become a Roman Catholic priest, has been excommunicated from the church.

On Jan. 7, Bishop Robert W. Finn of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph sent Walker a letter informing her that she’d incurred automatic excommunication for participating in an ordination ceremony not recognized by the Vatican. Walker, who identifies herself as a reverend but whose title is not acknowledged by the church, participated in the ceremony on Jan. 3.

In his letter, Finn cited several infringements of the Code of Canon Law, includingcanon 1024, which limits the priesthood to men. He also noted that the diocese is ready to assist Walker should she choose to reconcile with the church.

In an email to The Huffington Post, Walker said that she was “very disappointed to be excommunicated.”

“I love the Church and I particularly love the local parish in which I have previously been very active,” Walker told HuffPost on Wednesday. “However, I am not at all surprised.”

Bridget Mary Meehan of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, who conducted Walker’s ordination ceremony, responded to Finn’s letter on her personal website Monday.

“The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests are faithful members of the baptized who serve our beloved church in a renewed priestly ministry that welcomes all to celebrate the sacraments in inclusive, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered communities wherever we are called,” Meehan wrote.

Meehan, who identifies as a bishop but whose title is… read more at huffingtonpost.com