In the News

CNN — A sense of urgency has been growing after the role of women emerged as a dominant theme when Catholics from across the globe were canvassed for their views ahead of a meeting of bishops and lay people – a synod – which formally concluded Sunday. The final Synod assembly document, approved by Pope Francis, said…
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VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ yearslong process to reform the Catholic Church closed Saturday with recommendations that fell short of giving women more equity as hoped, but reflected the pope’s aims for a church that at least listens more to its followers. … …“I think the final document will be received with much disappointment and frustration by…
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A monthlong meeting of Catholic bishops and lay people at the Vatican ended on Saturday with a call for women to be given more leadership roles in the church. But on the question of whether women could be ordained as deacons, the church said the possibility “remains open” and required further meditation… …“I think it…
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Read Le Figaro’s coverage of women at the synod, featuring comments from Executive Director Kate McElwee, in French on their website.

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