WOC Applauds Francis’ Reorganization of Vatican Offices

March 22, 2022

The Women’s Ordination Conference applauds Pope Francis’ reorganization of the Vatican’s governing departments in his updated Apostolic Constitution, Praedicate Evangelium (“Preach the Gospel”). Most significantly, the constitution expands leadership roles once reserved for cardinals or bishops to laypeople, including women. WOC supports this renewed emphasis on “canonical mission,” or baptism, as the criteria for top leadership in the Roman curia. 

This shift to greater co-responsibility is a refreshing evolution from Pope Francis, who in 2015 said he would not appoint a woman to head a dicastery because it would be a form of “functionalism.” 

We look forward to the appointment of numerous women to lead dicasteries when the document takes effect on June 5, especially in the offices where current prefects have exceeded the new five-year term limit. 

However, we know that a document alone cannot remedy the vast inequalities women face in the Catholic church, particularly in a culture that denies women the ability to act in the image of Christ. If and when women are appointed to lead dicasteries at the Vatican, they will undoubtedly confront the sins of clericalism, sexism, and misogyny that have long thrived within the Vatican walls. 

The continued exclusion of women from ordained ministries will only further entrench the church in harmful theologies that deprive the church of women’s sacramental leadership and reinforce cultural inequalities. 

We pray, in the spirit of Pentecost, that the Spirit who renews the face of the earth will renew the face of the church, and of the priesthood, so that people of all genders who are called to ordination may share the gifts the Holy Spirit has breathed into them.

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Contact: Kate McElwee, Executive Director: kmcelwee@womensordination.org