Bridget Mary Meehan entered a convent as an 18-year-old woman, inspired by a Roman Catholic faith born during her childhood in the Irish countryside. But as her faith matured, Meehan felt increasingly called to the priesthood, despite church laws forbidding women’s ordination. In 2006, she rejected Catholic law and was ordained as a priest. She is one of about 80 women worldwide who claim Catholic priesthood and lead church communities, saying that apostolic succession has been transmitted by a bishop who remains anonymous. Meehan, 61, spoke with The Washington Examiner about the beliefs that drive her to disobey the Vatican, even as she holds fast to Catholicism.

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