Activists refuse to let Vatican “kick the can” on women’s ordination

For Immediate Release: Oct. 3, 2024

During the October 2 opening session of Pope Francis’ month-long Synod on Synodality—anticipated to take up important issues facing the church today—the Vatican preemptively and blatantly undermined their own process by dismissing the call for women deacons as not yet “mature” with “no room for a positive decision.” 

The equivocation took place in written remarks from the Vatican’s head of doctrine, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, as he summarized the “working group” on ministry, echoing other synod officials who have insisted women’s ordination is not on the agenda

The Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) decries this hollow performance of “synodality,” as inconsistent with the synodal promise of inclusivity, and a betrayal to Catholics worldwide who believed they were engaging in a sincere process of renewal of church structures.  

The Vatican would rather let women’s gifts rot on the vine than recognize their equality.

Earlier that same day, women’s ordination advocates held a colorful witness in sight of the Vatican with a clear message: Don’t kick the can down the road.

Yet, the Vatican continues to hide behind shadowy commissions, endless study, and misogynistic theology to maintain the patriarchal status quo. That may be the Vatican’s status quo; but WOC believes in a church on the move and a God who came into the world in a place where there was “no room.” In the spirit of Jesus, we will continue to live the Gospel call to equality.

WOC has engaged the synodal process with integrity from the start. We will continue to have a strong, visible presence on the edges of the Synod Hall and beyond, and persist in our witness for justice until it is realized.

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CONTACT: Kate McElwee, Executive Director, Women’s Ordination Conference
kmcelwee@womensordination.org

Founded in 1975, the Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) is the oldest and largest organization working to ordain women as deacons, priests, and bishops into an inclusive and accountable Roman Catholic Church. A feminist voice for women in the Roman Catholic Church, WOC is a grassroots-driven movement that promotes activism, dialogue, and prayerful witness to call for women’s full equality in the church.