In the News

October 4th, 2023

Toronto Globe and Mail: Pope Francis’s historic synod marks potential watershed as women’s equality, climate change take centre stage

By Eric Reguly Five years ago, Kate McElwee, the young American woman who is the executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, led a small protest at the Vatican to call attention to the plight of the hard-working – yet utterly powerless – women in the paternalistic Catholic Church. “I was held by the police,”…
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October 4th, 2023

NBC News: Women press for ordination at Roman Catholic Church’s historic Vatican meeting [VIDEO]

October 4th, 2023

AP: Protesters call for ordination of women as Pope opens Vatican meeting on future of Church [VIDEO]

October 4th, 2023

NCR: On eve of synod, women’s ordination advocates hold vigil at Rome’s Basilica of St. Praxedes

By Rhina Guidos Advocates for women’s ordination in the Catholic Church hosted a prayer vigil at one of Rome’s historic basilicas on Oct. 3, on the eve of Pope Francis’ opening of a major Vatican summit expected to consider whether women might serve as Catholic deacons or priests. About 40 women from various countries gathered…
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October 3rd, 2023

AP: Advocates for women’s ordination hold prayer vigil ahead of Vatican Synod [VIDEO]

October 3rd, 2023

NPR: The pope says there could be ways for the Catholic Church to bless same-sex unions

Pope Francis suggests the Catholic church might accept same-sex partnerships as officials assemble in Rome for a synod. NPR’s Leila Fadel talks to Kate McElwee of the Women’s Ordination Conference. Listen to the interview here.

October 3rd, 2023

News Nation: Women’s votes to loom large at upcoming Synod in the Catholic Church [VIDEO]

October 2nd, 2023

AP: Women’s voices and votes loom large as pope is set to open a Vatican meeting on church’s future

By Nicole Winfield and Trisha Thomas VATICAN CITY (AP) — A few years ago, Pope Francis told the head of the main Vatican-backed Catholic women’s organization to be “brave” in pushing for change for women in the Catholic Church. … …“I’m hopeful that there is room in that space for these bold conversations, courageous conversations,…
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September 13th, 2023

WOC’s Kate McElwee on CNN This Morning

WOC Executive Director, Kate McElwee appeared on CNN This Morning on Sunday, August 8th 2023 to discuss Pope Francis’ far-right critics and what makes them so nervous about the upcoming Synod on Synodality. Watch the interview:

July 14th, 2023

Washington Post: Ruth Fitzpatrick, who fought to ordain female priests, dies at 90

“We will not accept men telling women they can’t be priests because that’s the way God wants it,” Ms. Fitzpatrick once said. “She does not!” Ruth M. Fitzpatrick, a prominent and fierce advocate for the ordination of women as priests who called the Catholic Church “the last of the sexist institutions,” died June 15 at…
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