Why Stay Catholic? Why Advocate? Why WOC?

As I was preparing to write my last blog post as a guest writer for The Table, I found myself reflecting on what I could offer that was unique to my perspective. In my previous blog posts, I wrote about my letters to the pope, my conversations with a deacon, and for renewed attention the diaconate. But what perhaps is lacking is: why? Why, as a young, progressive Catholic woman, attempting to figure out her opinions and find her voice, do I stay in the church? Why do I advocate for women’s ordination? And why do this work with WOC? 

These questions were brought to fruition in a recent conversation with my mother about women’s ordination. She suggested that sharing the stories of why people stay and advocate for change in a seemingly unmoving institution, for something deemed impossible by many, might be an insightful perspective, and perhaps could offer people hope. Hope that maybe someday soon, this movement will succeed because there are energetic and empowered people willing to keep going. So I thought to myself: “Who better to ask than WOC leadership?” Surely they could share their perspectives and offer motivation to others to persevere in their advocacy. I suggested this project to Kate McElwee, the executive director of WOC, and together we devised “Why WOC?,” conversations with WOC leadership about their passion and hope for the women’s ordination movement. 

This project is just getting underway, and will eventually be made public through WOC’s social media platforms and other mediums. So far, each person I have spoken to has a different story to share, and I love learning from them. I can’t wait to share their stories with you. But for now, I would like to share my own story of “Why WOC.” (and maybe you can add your own in the comments!)  

My name is Alyssa Pedicino, and I am a female Catholic US college student. Growing up, I was involved in the church in what felt like significant ways, particularly as an altar server for nine years. Ever since I was nine years old, I have wanted to become a deacon, and struggled with the injustice I faced within the church on this issue. I wrote to Pope Francis a multitude of times about the matter, and conversed with family and friends about my vocation and passionate opinion. 

I discovered WOC in 2020, through Sr. Simone Campbell of NETWORK, who suggested I reach out to see if I might be able to be of support to the movement. I spent a summer interning with WOC in 2021. I loved my experience working with WOC, an organization that shares my values and encourages my skills to make a change in this movement I was so passionate about. I returned to WOC as an intern this Spring semester, and even through the busyness of my schedule, I love making time for this work. Along with writing blog posts such as this one, where my voice can be heard, I am also able to take the lead on outreach projects such as the Why WOC? project.

Often when I have spoken of my advocacy for the ordination of all genders in the Catholic church, people around me ask: why don’t you just leave the Catholic church and join a similar Christian faith that allows women in these roles? I have pondered this question many times, and determined there are a few notable reasons why I stay in the Catholic church (though I have deep respect for my fellow Christians in other faiths). 

For one, I grew up in the Catholic church, and it is what I am familiar with. Furthermore, I stay Catholic because of its theological tradition. I find that this very theology supports my progressive views, and I am disappointed that this is not reflected in the institutional views of the Catholic church. The specific aspects of my Catholic faith, or broadly Christian faith, that informs these views includes how God empowered Mary, the mother of God, and Jesus empowered Mary Magdalene, to play crucial roles in being the vessel of God, and being a part of the movement to spread the word of God, respectively. I see female saints that not only live out God’s message of service and humility, but who hold influential positions formally and among the people. I see Jesus’s message of love one another, of equality, or non-judgement. I long to see that theology reflected in the broader church. I feel that my faith calls and empowers me to advocate for social justice issues, for women’s and LGBTQIA+ equality. If I leave the Catholic faith, there will be one less voice in the church institution advocating for change, and the church as an institution will remain unjust.

As part of my conversations with WOC leaders, I also ask: What value does WOC bring to your support for the women’s ordination movement at large? 

For me, WOC shares my values of inclusion and equality, which are so important in this movement. The grassroots style of the movement truly empowers all to find their voices as I have, through small and large acts. I find this to be the most effective and moral method of advocacy for this movement, because all can be involved and put forth their individual skills in the movement. I have been able to use my skills of writing and outreach to make real change while working at WOC, and I feel that my advocacy is making an impact. Being a part of an organization where individuals dedicate their work to this movement is also really empowering for my own advocacy journey, and gives me energy to keep advocating. Even as a member of WOC, I can also feel this collective passion behind this movement, which is such a valuable part of advocacy.

This is just my perspective and story, and I would encourage others to share theirs. Hearing the rich diversity of experiences from those I have interviewed thus far and reflecting on my own has been such an empowering and fulfilling process. If we lean on and learn from each other, we can foster a wonderful and strong movement. I look forward to seeing where this project goes, and sharing these leadership member’s insightful words.