Maureen Fiedler
Encyclopedia
Sister Maureen Fiedler, S.L.
, Ph.D.
is an American activist and radio host and a member of the Sisters of Loretto
. She is a progressive
, sometimes controversial activist within the Roman Catholic Church
. She has a long history working with interfaith coalitions on a variety of issues including: social justice
, peace, anti-racism
work, gender equality
, human rights
and female ordination
in the Catholic Church. She holds a doctorate in Government from Georgetown University
.
In 1984 she was one of 97 theologians and religious persons who signed A Catholic Statement on Pluralism and Abortion
, calling for religious pluralism
and discussion within the Church regarding its position on abortion
. The Vatican
later reported that she had disavowed the statement, but she responded, "I have never retracted or recanted one syllable... I continue to stand behind every word of it without the slightest reservation."
She has hosted the newsmagazine
and talk radio
program Interfaith Voices
since it debuted in 2002. Starting with just one station, the show has grown to 60 stations in the United States
and Canada
. The program began as a project of The Quixote Center, a non-sectarian non-profit collective in Brentwood, Maryland
. It later became a separately incorporated non-profit for tax reasons. Interfaith Voices had been previously called Faith Matters. However, due to a trademark dispute, the name was changed. Faith Matters is the name of a program still produced by the Reverend Dr. Leith Anderson
, now president of the National Association of Evangelicals
. In 2007, Interfaith Voices interviewed Rev. Anderson after he assumed the NAE presidency from Reverend Ted Haggard
. The program's mission is the promotion of interfaith understanding and religious dialog in the public square.
Fiedler received a card from the now-deceased Sister Mary Luke Tobin
when Fiedler was involved in an "uncertain venture" regarding women's ordination. It read: "Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is."
Interfaith Voices has had six producers since it began. Among them are Peter B. Collins
, who now owns KRXA
-AM in Monterey, California
; Paul Woodhull, executive producer of The Bill Press
Show; Josephine Reed, host of WPFW-FM radio show On The Margin and a vice president for programming for XM Satellite Radio
; John E. Parman; and Laura Kwerel.
Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto or the Loretto Community is a Catholic religious institution, which, according to their mission statement, "strive[s] to bring the healing Spirit of God into our world" and is committed "to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation...
, Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
is an American activist and radio host and a member of the Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto or the Loretto Community is a Catholic religious institution, which, according to their mission statement, "strive[s] to bring the healing Spirit of God into our world" and is committed "to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation...
. She is a progressive
Progressivism in the United States
Progressivism in the United States is a broadly based reform movement that reached its height early in the 20th century and is generally considered to be middle class and reformist in nature. It arose as a response to the vast changes brought by modernization, such as the growth of large...
, sometimes controversial activist within the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. She has a long history working with interfaith coalitions on a variety of issues including: social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
, peace, anti-racism
Anti-racism
Anti-racism includes beliefs, actions, movements, and policies adopted or developed to oppose racism. In general, anti-racism is intended to promote an egalitarian society in which people do not face discrimination on the basis of their race, however defined...
work, gender equality
Gender equality
Gender equality is the goal of the equality of the genders, stemming from a belief in the injustice of myriad forms of gender inequality.- Concept :...
, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and female ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
in the Catholic Church. She holds a doctorate in Government from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
In 1984 she was one of 97 theologians and religious persons who signed A Catholic Statement on Pluralism and Abortion
A Catholic Statement on Pluralism and Abortion
A Catholic Statement on Pluralism and Abortion, alternatively referred to by its pull quote "A Diversity of Opinions Regarding Abortion Exists Among Committed Catholics" or simply "The New York Times ad", was a full-page advertisement placed on October 7, 1984 in The New York Times by Catholics for...
, calling for religious pluralism
Religious pluralism
Religious pluralism is a loosely defined expression concerning acceptance of various religions, and is used in a number of related ways:* As the name of the worldview according to which one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus that at least some truths and true values...
and discussion within the Church regarding its position on abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. The Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
later reported that she had disavowed the statement, but she responded, "I have never retracted or recanted one syllable... I continue to stand behind every word of it without the slightest reservation."
She has hosted the newsmagazine
Newsmagazine
A news magazine is a typed, printed, and published piece of paper, magazine or a radio or television program, usually weekly, featuring articles or segments on current events...
and talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
program Interfaith Voices
Interfaith Voices
Interfaith Voices is a radio newsmagazine that is syndicated on 69 public and community radio stations in North America. The show features interviews and produced segments covering the world of religion, spirituality and ethics. It has been hosted by Maureen Fiedler since 2001.Past guests have...
since it debuted in 2002. Starting with just one station, the show has grown to 60 stations in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The program began as a project of The Quixote Center, a non-sectarian non-profit collective in Brentwood, Maryland
Brentwood, Maryland
Brentwood is a town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,844 at the 2000 census. Brentwood is less than away from Washington, DC...
. It later became a separately incorporated non-profit for tax reasons. Interfaith Voices had been previously called Faith Matters. However, due to a trademark dispute, the name was changed. Faith Matters is the name of a program still produced by the Reverend Dr. Leith Anderson
Leith Anderson
Leith Anderson is the President of the National Association of Evangelicals. He has served as senior pastor of Wooddale Church, in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, since 1977.-Biography:...
, now president of the National Association of Evangelicals
National Association of Evangelicals
The National Association of Evangelicals is a fellowship of member denominations, churches, organizations, and individuals. Its goal is to honor God by connecting and representing evangelicals in the United States. Today it works in four main areas: Church & Faith Partners, Government Relations,...
. In 2007, Interfaith Voices interviewed Rev. Anderson after he assumed the NAE presidency from Reverend Ted Haggard
Ted Haggard
Ted Arthur Haggard is an American evangelical pastor. Known as Pastor Ted to the congregation he served, he was the founder and former pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado; a founder of the Association of Life-Giving Churches; and was leader of the National Association of...
. The program's mission is the promotion of interfaith understanding and religious dialog in the public square.
Fiedler received a card from the now-deceased Sister Mary Luke Tobin
Sister Mary Luke Tobin
Sister Mary Luke Tobin, S.L., was an American Roman Catholic Religious Sister, and one of only 15 women auditors invited to the Second Vatican Council, and the only American woman of the three women religious permitted to participate on the Council's planning commissions.-Early life:Christened as...
when Fiedler was involved in an "uncertain venture" regarding women's ordination. It read: "Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is."
Interfaith Voices has had six producers since it began. Among them are Peter B. Collins
Peter B. Collins
Peter B. Collins is an American talk radio host, voiceover talent, entrepreneur, and media consultant based near San Francisco, California. Until March 20, 2009, he hosted The Peter B...
, who now owns KRXA
KRXA
KRXA is a radio station broadcasting a progressive talk format. Licensed to Carmel Valley, California, USA, the station serves the Santa Cruz area. It is currently owned by KRXA, LLC. The station was founded in July 2005 by attorney Hal Ginsberg and longtime San Francisco broadcaster Peter B....
-AM in Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
; Paul Woodhull, executive producer of The Bill Press
Bill Press
William "Bill" Press is a US talk radio host, political commentator and author.-Career:Press has a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Niagara University and Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the University of Fribourg. He started his broadcasting career in Los Angeles for TV stations KABC-TV and...
Show; Josephine Reed, host of WPFW-FM radio show On The Margin and a vice president for programming for XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
; John E. Parman; and Laura Kwerel.
External links
- http://www.womenpriests.org/called/fiedler.asp
- http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/stories/s572435.htm
- http://interfaithradio.org/aboutus