The fact that in the year 2014 we still have a ban on women serving as priests is un-excusable. There is no justifiable reason for women to be banned from being priests. This needs to end now. We love the initiatives that Pope Francis has brought forward calling for all priests to go out into their communities and work more closely with the poor and those in desperate need. We like his call to get the focus of the church away from an over emphasis on controversial topics such as gay marriage and abortion. We believe that Pope Francis is willing to listen to reason on this subject. We believe he is a leader and can go down in history as the Pope that made this important correction in favor of equality. Join us in signing this petition that will be sent as a polite suggestion to Pope Francis to end the ban on women priests this year. Thank you, Howard Leonhardt