Two weeks with WOC in Rome

I had the opportunity to be with WOC in Rome for the first two weeks of the Synod and Synodality. The experience reaffirmed my vocation to continue to fight for the ordination of women in the Catholic Church. 

There are so many things to write about regarding the Synod, and with the release of the Synod Synthesis, I want to highlight the beautiful prayer vigil, and actions that WOC organized and took part in. 

On October 3rd, women from all over the world gathered at the Basilica of Saint Praxedis for a prayer vigil to mark the opening of the Synod on Synodality. Our WOC staff wrote a beautiful liturgy using the themes of our synod campaign “Let Her Voice Carry” where we prayed for the inclusion of women’s lived experiences as priests and ministers to be heard at the Synod. We prayed for the women delegates who would be the first to vote at a synod. The service opened with a beautiful explanation of the art in the space by Clare Kemmerer (WOC Board member) who walked us through the symbolic mosaics of women preachers and benefactors that are in this space. Barb Kozee (WOC Board Vice President) gave one of the many testimonies this evening, in which she named a burning question regarding the patriarchal nature of the Church’s hierarchy; “Who can bless, and who can be blessed?” That question rang loudly in this important architectural space as women in purple scarves and stoles preached about their call to priesthood, their inclusion in their faith tradition, and their vocations loudly. 

The next morning, on October 4th we gathered early in the morning near Castel Sant’Angelo to wave our banner and sing and shout for women’s inclusion in view of the Vatican. A lot of people stopped on their way to the Vatican to listen and take pictures. There were some young women that stuck around for a while and spoke to many of us about what we were doing and where we all came from. I loved getting to watch some of our priests listen to their questions and stories. Women Priests Are Here! 

Friday, October 6th was our signature “Walking with Women” event. Many of you participated in marches and walks in your own cities. Watching those images and videos come in all day was so powerful as it showcased the solidarity, the depth, and the pervasiveness of our movement. Women are called from all over. In Rome, we met on the steps of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, a basilica that holds a relic of St. Mary Magdalene’s foot! We continued her journey through the streets of Rome towards St. Peter’s Square. This action was the most moving for me. We walked in silence and many people stopped and moved out of our way. Some people joined in our procession. As we began to cross the bridge towards Castel Sant’Angelo other people quieted. Our silence, both symbolic and literal, silenced others as they witnessed our movement. We gathered at the end, with the Vatican at our back, in prayer and protest. It was a powerful moment of why we do what we do. 

The second week I spent in Rome with WOC was quieter as WOC’s role was in supporting some partner events. (Quieter for me, Kate was still buzzing around organizing!) On Tuesday, October 10th I joined a discussion organized by the Catholic Women’s Council. We heard from three synod delegates on their experiences as women in the room. My small group conversation with some ARCWP representatives and women from Australia was lively and engaging as we talked about the theologies of baptism and incarnation. If you haven’t seen the Instagram Reel of this event posted on WOC social media channels, you should look it up. The walls of our meeting room were covered with posters from the many organizations working for women’s inclusion in the Catholic Church from around the world. It was really moving to sit in the room with women from all over and have a global catholic conversation. Even though our different contexts provide differences in our experiences, there is so much shared joy, hope, and pain. 

Wednesday, October 11th brought another panel discussion, this time led by ARCWP. It was educational to see how this group sets up churches and seminaries to prepare women for the diaconate and the priesthood. Though I left with a lot of organizational and logistical questions about how others might start their own congregations. 

I ended my time in Rome by attending the first day of the Spirit Unbounded Synod. We met in a retreat and education used by the Diocese of Rome, just outside of the Vatican City wall. The location of this meeting room became a powerful character as the night went on and speakers like Dr. Mary McAleese and Sr. Joan Chittester called us all to action. 

I think I can speak for everyone who reads this blog, that we are not thrilled with the Synod Synthesis Report, but we did all we could to make sure that our voices were heard. Walking with others called to priestly vocations and their strong supporters, praying with the Vatican at our backs, asking big theological questions about sacraments and blessings…the fight is not over, but I do think we moved the needle. And being in community and solidarity with others as these conversations were happening at the Vatican was energizing – for individuals, but also for the movement.