December 3rd, 2022
“Francis is Stuck. Let me count the ways.” That was my first title for this blog. I saw no change in what he said to a gathering of people who work at America magazine. Deliberately diverse, the group posed questions one after another. Executive editor Kerry Weber was third and set up her first question:…
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November 5th, 2022
As we prepare to get an extra hour’s sleep, let’s rest easy and think about what might happen because of the amazing summary reports of the national and universal synod process. We the laity suddenly have our concerns revealed to all the world. We can whip out these documents as things come up – and…
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October 29th, 2022
Kate McElwee strikes exactly the right note in her letter to WOC members on Thursday: “We have reached a touchstone moment on the synodal path, and thanks to your efforts, women’s ordination is still a major part of the conversation,” except I would emphasize “thanks to your efforts.” So many people who support women’s ordination showed…
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May 27th, 2014
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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April 7th, 2014
On the recommendation of a WOC member, Sr. Beth, I had the opportunity to sit down to tea with two Italian members of her congregation, the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor here in Rome. “Why did Sr. Beth tell you to contact me?” Spunky didn’t quite translate as we both grabbed words and charades between…
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March 24th, 2014
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
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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March 12th, 2014
One year ago today, Erin and I were rushing from Fiumicino airport to a convent in Rome to gather our coalition and drive to Piazza Garibaldi to raise pink smoke over the Vatican. It seemed poetic at the time, to cross an ocean to light something on fire, but it was an precedented and powerful…
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March 5th, 2014
Over the weekend I attended a planning meeting with international partners to clarify the goals of an event to mark the 50th anniversary of the closing of Vatican II, to be held in the fall of 2015 in Rome. A dozen or so organizers from around the world united under the theme of “making…
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February 27th, 2014
When the priest said his homily was about tradition, I took that as my cue to check my cuticles and clear my throat. My mom might take this as an opportunity to balance her checkbook. Of course, these silent protests become more difficult with small faith community and online banking. The priest continued by telling…
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