Author: katie

NY Times: Pope Gives Women a Vote in Influential Meeting of Bishops

ROME — When Francis became pope a decade ago, his inclusive tone and openness to change fueled expectations among many Catholic women about a greater role for them in the Roman Catholic Church. The contribution of women should not be limited “to altar girls or the president of a charity,” he said in a 2013…
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Crux: Laypeople, including women, will vote as full members in upcoming Synod

ROME – For the first time, lay people, including women, will serve as full members of the Synod of Bishops with voting rights, the Vatican announced Wednesday, as part of a broader series of changes to the rules governing participation in these papally convened summits. … …In 2018, the Women’s Ordination Conference organized a rally…
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NCR: Hope for change endures decades after Vatican II and Detroit’s ’69 synod

Countless pieces of analysis have used the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis to argue that he is a breath of fresh air as he urges the church to consider difficult topics, most notably through the ongoing synodal process.   And while that’s true, the spirit of synodality can also trace its…
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Join our “Wildflowers of the Grassroots”!

Do you want to get involved with the movement for women’s ordination, but wonder where to start? Join WOC for a conversation about our network of local leaders on February 11! Learn about our “Wildflowers of the Grassroots,” where empowered supporters of ordination justice contribute their unique skills and talents to keep the movement growing…
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AP: Pope Francis grateful for ‘noble’ Benedict and his prayers

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Hours after the death Saturday of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Pope Francis praised his “noble” predecessor and expressed gratitude for his life of faith and prayers, especially those offered in the nearly 10 years since the shy churchman dramatically became the first pontiff in centuries to retire from the papacy…. …While…
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AP: In US, sharply contrasting views on Benedict XVI’s legacy

NEW YORK (AP) — In the United States, admirers of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI remembered him warmly for his theological prowess and devotion to traditional doctrine. However, some U.S. Catholics, on learning of his death Saturday, recalled him as an obstacle to progress in combating clergy sex abuse and expanding the role of women in…
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Il Messaggero: Ratzinger, le forti critiche dell’associazione femminile WOC: soffocato il diritto delle donne a diventare pretiIl Messaggero

Vatican City – “His relentless quest to stifle the female ordination movement revealed a man unwilling or unable to engage with the urgent needs of the Church today.” The counter-current comment of the powerful female network that has been fighting for the priesthood of women in the Church for years recalls the “negative” role played by…
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BBC News: Excommunicated: The Women Fighting to be Priests

From BBC’s 100 Women series: “The Vatican has never allowed women to be ordained as priests, but there’s a growing movement to overturn this ban.” Watch the documentary here.

Planned Giving Webinar

You’re invited to a Planned Giving Webinar (Thursday, December 8th at 12pm ET) for an overview of WOC’s strategic initiatives and commitments and a presentation from WOC board treasurer, Anne Latour, CPA. We hope this interactive session will guide your discernment of how to strengthen and protect a cause and community you love through legacy…
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Holy Women Wanderers: An Advent Virtual Retreat

This Advent, WOC invites you to “Holy Women Wanderers,” a virtual retreat! WHEN: December 6, 13, and 20, 7-8:30 pm ET, via Zoom.   WHAT: An Advent retreat where we will “walk” with three Biblical women as our guides over three Tuesday evenings. With Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, we will meet “the God who Sees;”…
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