Author: Regina Bannan

“‘I think often about a group of bishops who, after Vatican I, left … to continue the “true doctrine” that wasn’t that of Vatican I,’ said the pontiff. ‘Today, they ordain women,’ the pope continued, adding: ‘The severest attitude, to guard the faith without the magisterium of the church, brings you to ruin.’”  Ruin? Thank you,…
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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), to be specific. Did their elected president, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, not anticipate that his statement would be seen as entirely inappropriate on an Inauguration Day that celebrated Catholics from the President to the Poet? What were they thinking? I always go back to my experience…
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Some criticized Francis’s decision to change Canon Law and allow all people to be acolytes and lectors because it reinforces the clericalism the Pope wishes to eradicate. I am especially sensitive to this charge because I bristle at the least exercise of clericalism. But it’s so odd – it’s only clerical when women can get…
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So many people responded “what’s the big deal” to Pope Francis’ change to Canon Law allowing all laypeople to be acolytes and lectors that I am going to say it IS a big deal.  I’ve edited what I wrote to my grandson: “This is so important to me right now because it’s a chink in…
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We now understand how privilege operates. Some people get to do things that others don’t. Many are seeing that in the response of the police to “gatherings” in Washington this year. I’m not going to explore this here; I’m just putting it in your minds. Some people are able to be a lot more free…
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Whenever I would go to meetings in DC, including the WOC Board, I would get a thrill seeing the Capitol dome, as I see it tonight. I remember being inside with a class I took to Washington near the end of my teaching career. We took photos and listened for echoes in statuary hall.  We…
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I am writing this on the last day of 2020. You are reading it on the second day of 2021. Do you feel different? Are you relieved? Hopeful? Joyful, even? I wish that for you and for all of us. No more darkness covering the earth.  Meanwhile, I am finding many lists that try to…
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This year, we are living out salvation history. I cannot remember a time when our experience mirrored the Christmas story as well as this year does. We had our wanderings in the desert, our Advent, and now our fragile moment of joy. We move forward with hope knowing that there will be difficulties along the…
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How could we ignore the current kerfuffle about Dr. Jill Biden’s use of “Dr.,” which was prompted by a Wall Street Journal Op-ed by Joseph Epstein last weekend?  For 45 years, WOC has worked for priestly ministry by women to be recognized, validated, honored. What Mr. Epstein has done to Dr. Biden is done to…
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When Colm Holmes talks, I listen. He’s frequently the voice of We Are Church International and a long-time organizer for women’s ordination. His request to American Catholics interested in reform: support the Synodal path in Germany! To refresh your memory, 230 bishops and lay delegates will dialogue for a few years on four main themes:…
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