Category: Women’s Ordination

May 27th, 2014

Turns out, some doors DO open for women…

On the 20th anniversary of  Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, we were welcomed at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. More than 700 letters calling for discussion on women’s ordination were received by a top Vatican official, who accepted the letters and said: “This is amazing.” The stories and voices of those calling for women priests…
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March 24th, 2014

To those who see… the FutureChurch

Guided by Dr. Carolyn Osiek and Sr. Christine Scheck, executive director emerita of FutureChurch, a pilgrimage of about 20 people traveled to Rome to experience and study the archeological sites of women “officeholders” in the early Church.  On our first night of introductions together, it was obvious that the room could start a small faculty:…
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March 21st, 2014

“We have a duty to understand”

Today I met with one of the contributors to Leggendaria #103, Matilde Passa, a long-time journalist and feminist based in Rome. Her article, “Rinnovamento o mutazione?” begins: Valorizzare il genio femminile? Guardarsi dal machismo in gonnella? Ferve il dibattito, con una quantità e qualità di interventi che sollecitano ad allargare l’orizzonte In February I was…
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February 24th, 2014

The Shrine of Papessa Giovanna

In the Celio neighborhood of Rome, on a quiet street behind the Colosseum, there is a small shrine dedicated to the legend of Pope Joan, Papessa Giovanna. Fact or fiction, legend or parody, the flowers are fresh on this small shrine. Perhaps appropriately there is a triangular construction site, sectioning off a hole in the…
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February 17th, 2014

Piano, piano

For the past four weeks I have been in Italian immersion classes, while living with an Italian host family in Rome. The school, DiLit, prioritizes listening and speaking practice over grammatical exercises, complimented with cultural seminars and excursions throughout the city. Empowering students to open their mouths and build brain connections prior to writing (a…
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August 7th, 2013

What does Pope Francis mean for women in the church?

  Returning from World Youth Day, Pope Francis made headlines when he both said, “Who am I to judge?” gay priests who seek Christ in good faith, and “the door is closed” on women’s ordination. Because of his candid and humble style, the world is listening and talking about women’s ordination. Read More: WOC responds: Pope…
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January 2nd, 2013

Behind the Scenes of Ordain A Lady: Random, fun facts and your questions answered!

Where did the idea for “Ordain A Lady” come from? Carly Rae Jepsen’s catchy hit, Call Me Maybe, is the most parodied, copied, and reworked song of the year. From Olympians to Cookie Monster, everyone has taken a turn at creating their own version. We couldn’t let 2012 go by without putting our own WOC spin on it.…
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December 5th, 2012

From the WOC Mailbox … a brave member chimes in!

Hello Everyone, I don’t know if you regard the non-ordination of women within our Roman Catholic Church as an injustice or not, but the newspaper, the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) agrees with Fr. Roy Bourgeois. As you know, I regard Fr. Roy as my personal friend. I came to know him “up close” when he came as…
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November 21st, 2012

Called to Action and to Justice

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of being one of the 400 first time attendees at the annual Call To Action conference “Justice Rising.”  Considering there were around 1,600 attendees in total at the conference, I think it speaks wonders about the conference and its outreach that one-fourth of us there were new.  Progressive…
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August 7th, 2012

A new addition to the team

Starting my third week as the new intern, I thought it might be time for me to introduce myself to you lovely WOC members and supporters.  My name is Jillian Lopez and I am not only new to WOC, but new to D.C.  While I have called a few different countries home for short periods…
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