In what it bills as a “Web Exclusive,” Newsweek has just posted an interview with a 25-year-old woman named Jessica Rowley, who last week was “ordained” a priest in Missouri.

At one point, she emphasizes that she did all the things that men do to become priests — including spending 10 months as a deacon — and that she looks forward to having children and becoming the first pregnant Catholic priest. (Um, I have a feeling she may hear from her bishop before it goes that far…)

Below, some excerpts:

What made you decide to become a Catholic priest?
Jessica Rowley: It was a long process that started at a very young age. I [grew up Roman Catholic and] was always attracted to the church and to things spiritual. I was always affirmed by my youth minister that I had gifts for ministry.

Your husband, who is Protestant, helped you realize that you wanted to be a priest. Tell me about that.
I began going to church with him, and he began going to mass with me. At his church there were female pastors. He’s a member of the United Church of Christ. It’s a progressive, mainline Protestant denomination. They ordain women, and they’re open to gays and lesbians in their congregation.

That’s when you thought the ministry might be possible for you?
That’s when I decided to go to seminary. I figured I couldn’t be Roman Catholic anymore. When I was in seminary, I found the Ecumenical Catholic Communion. It resonated with the sacraments I grew up with, and I knew this was the place I was called.

Have you heard from the Roman Catholic hierarchy?
The community I belong to hasn’t felt anything from the bishop, but local Roman Catholic pastors have warned their congregations not to attend [ECC churches].

How has your family handled your decision? Are they still Roman Catholic?
They are. They are actually incredibly supportive. My immediate family came for the ordination. My grandmother bought me all the vestments.

How many people are in your congregation?
We have 80 registered members. And we have a number of people who come who are also part of the Roman Catholic churches but who come to worship with us as a place to refresh their souls—a lot of Catholic sisters and ex-priests.

How does being married affect the way you do your job?
It’s been nothing but a blessing in my ministry. It isn’t so odd if we look at the Episcopal Church or other denominations that have had married clergy for a long time. Being exposed to those traditions made me see that it could be possible. Married priesthood was a reality in the Catholic Church in medieval centuries. It wasn’t until later that celibacy was mandated. [In the Ecumenical Catholic Communion] we have married priests. We have women priests. We have out gay and lesbian priests in partnered relationships. We see the benefit of intimate connections. That helps us relate to couples. We also receive the kind of emotional support that so many Roman Catholic priests have to live without because they’re mandated to be celibate.

There’s much more at the Newsweek link.

Whatever else Jessica Rowley may be, she’s not a Catholic priest. And she should brace herself for hearing the news that, in fact, she’s no longer Catholic.

Photo: by Vivian Lodderhose/Newsweek