The real “clericalism and disrespect” is in Pope Francis’ understanding of women

For Immediate Release: 24 November 2020

In a soon-to-be released book,  Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future, Pope Francis criticizes those who believe women must be priests to be leaders in the Catholic Church, claiming it is “clericalist and disrespectful.”

The Women’s Ordination Conference rejects this mischaracterization of the global movement working for a renewed priesthood, free from clericalism and gender discrimination. Women are the heartbeat of the Church and yet every woman, from the parish worker to the Vatican advisor, is subject to the authority of an ordained man. 

Women’s exclusion from ordained ministries not only undermines their capacity to make decisions as leaders, but reinforces cultural and social discrimination, and perpetuates structures that subordinate women and can lead to gender-based violence. 

Until the hierarchy starts accusing every man seeking ordination of “clericalism,” we ask that the pontiff stop projecting the problems and corruption of his male hierarchy onto women longing to serve the Church.

We urge Pope Francis to listen to women who long for equal recognition of their ministries and an equal place at the church’s governing tables. 

We extend an invitation to Pope Francis to join the Women’s Ordination Conference this weekend as we celebrate our 45th anniversary to witness the abundant gifts of those working for ordination justice. He would find women not seeking to be “clericalist,” but partners in the work to renew and strengthen a fractured Church.

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Contact: Kate McElwee, Executive Diretor