In the News

October 23rd, 2024

(Washington Post) Vatican debate over women as deacons hits a big obstacle: Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY — In the final days of the most significant Catholic gathering since the 1960s, one issue more than any other is driving dissent and disappointment: the shunting aside of calls to ordain women in the world’s largest Christian faith. Advocates argue that expanding the role of women is a matter of not only…
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October 11th, 2024

The Tablet: Synod failing to respond to Catholic calls for renewal and reform

Expectations for the Synod on Synodality “are low”, according to the lay reform group We Are Church International. Speakers at a briefing organised by the group called for “strong proposals” for the full equality of women and allowing local churches the freedom to reform. […] […]Another of the six speakers from six continents calling for reform was Kate…
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October 10th, 2024

RNS: Advocates for women deacons ‘in it for the long run,’ despite Vatican pushback

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Almost 40 women from all over the world marched through the streets of Rome on Friday (Oct. 4) and, under the watchful gaze of police officers and the curious peeks of tourists, demanded the Catholic Church allow the ordination of women. Their protests were timed to the start of a monthlong…
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October 10th, 2024

Church Times: ‘Still no to female deacons’ says Vatican official as synod begins

A SENIOR Vatican official has ruled out the ordination of female deacons, as participants gathered in Rome for a new round of the Synod on Synodality. “We know the public position of the Pope, who does not consider this question mature,” the Prefect of the Dicastery for Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, said. “There…
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October 2nd, 2024

Washington Times: Pope Francis urges unity as advocates for women’s ordination press cause at Vatican gathering

Pope Francis kicked off the next phase of a closely watched Vatican reform synod on Wednesday by urging delegates to focus on unity and avoid pushing personal agendas so “each person feels welcomed,” but advocates for women’s ordination in the Catholic Church say they feel anything but welcomed. Female Catholic priest Angela Meyer and Kate McElwee have traveled to Rome expressly to demand…
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October 2nd, 2024

Reuters: Protesters tell Vatican ‘women can be priests’ as Synod starts [VIDEO]

Demonstrators in Rome demand women be allowed to be ordained as Catholic priests — watch the video here.

October 2nd, 2024

The Christian Century: US Catholics express hope, tempered expectations as synod begins

Last year in September, it seemed to many US Catholics that the church might be on the precipice of profound transformation. The Synod of Bishops was about to meet at the Vatican to discuss the results of a multiyear global listening effort. Termed synodality, the process gathered input from laypeople and clergy to promote dialogue…
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October 2nd, 2024

Global Sisters Report: As patience over women’s ministries wanes, theologian urges dialogue

Regardless of what happens this month at the Vatican when it comes to women’s ministries, Catholic women in Latin America will continue serving the poor and also want to maintain dialogue on the issue, said a U.S.-based theologian who hails from Latin America. … …U.S.-based groups, too, are out in full force in Rome, but…
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October 1st, 2024

AP: Women’s ordination supporters gather in Rome and hold a prayer vigil ahead of the Synod [VIDEO]

September 30th, 2024

RNS: Despite Vatican’s evasions on ordination, women demand answers at upcoming synod

“I think it’s pretty clear that the Vatican is trying to lower expectations of any outcome of this synodal gathering,” said Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference. McElwee said that it would constitute a “scandal” if the synod were to fail to recognize the call by thousands of women. She described the…
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