Holy Orders

The Latest

A screenshot of the image at the Synod of Bishops' Facebook page

What’s behind the ‘woman priest’ Facebook post from the Synod of Bishops?

Sep 27, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

A social media stir has greeted the image of a “woman priest” posted to the Synod of Bishops’ Facebook page. Read more

The ordination of Jonathan Goodall (former Anglican Bishop) to the Catholic priesthood in Westminster Cathedral, London, March 12, 2022.

Priests bear heaven's promises, cardinal says at ordination of former Anglican bishop

Mar 12, 2022

By Carl Bunderson

Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster reflected on the priesthood on Saturday, preaching at the Mass of the priestly ordination of... Read more

Bishop Xavier Novell Gomà, Bishop Emeritus of Solsona.

Diocese announces sanctions on Spanish bishop who attempted marriage

Dec 13, 2021

By David Ramos

The apostolic administrator of Solsona announced Saturday that the diocese’s former bishop, Xavier Novell i Gomà, had incurred suspension when... Read more

The Cathedral Church of St. John in Albuquerque, N.M., seat of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, which hosted the attempted ordination of Anne Tropeano Oct. 16, 2021.

Santa Fe archdiocese: Woman's attempted ordination invalid

Oct 21, 2021

By Carl Bunderson

The supposed ordination of women is invalid, the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe reiterated Monday, shortly after... Read more

Bishop Xavier Novell Gomà, Bishop Emeritus of Solsona.

Spanish bishop who resigned from office will attempt marriage

Oct 15, 2021

By David Ramos

Bishop Xavier Novell Gomà, who resigned as Bishop of Solsona in August, has applied for a civil marriage license with... Read more

Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in San Bernardino, Calif.

San Bernardino bishop 'shocked and saddened' after retired priest attempts marriage

Jul 12, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

The Bishop of San Bernardino says he is “shocked and saddened” at a longtime pastor’s decision to attempt to contract... Read more

Priestly ordination

Priest ordained in Spanish diocese after almost 11 years without vocations

Jun 23, 2021

By Blanca Ruiz

On June 20, Bishop César Franco of the Diocese of Segovia, Spain, ordained Álvaro Marín Molinera to the priesthood -... Read more

Bishop Stefan Oster of Passau. Credit: Diocese of Passau

German bishop confronts theologian for claiming Catholics against 'gender equality' are racist

Apr 26, 2021

A German professor of theology and advocate for the ordination of women to the priesthood has come under criticism for... Read more

Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston ordains deacons in St. Peter's Basilica, Sept. 29, 2016.

Two-thirds of US bishops do not believe women should be ordained deacons

Jan 24, 2019

A survey of bishops in the US released this week found that among respondents, 41 percent believe it theoretically possible... Read more

Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna speaks at the Holy See press office, April 8, 2016.

For Austrian cardinal, female deacons an 'open question'

Sep 29, 2018

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn has said that in his view, whether the Church could ordain women as deacons remains an “open... Read more

Archbishop Luis Ladaria, now the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at a Vatican press conference, Sept. 8, 2015.

Commentary: Archbishop Ladaria and the transgender movement

May 30, 2018

By Ed Condon

This week Archbishop Luis Ladaria, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued (another) definitive statement on... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, April 13, 2016.

Pope Francis reiterates a strong 'no' to women priests

Nov 1, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

During a press conference Tuesday aboard the papal plane from Sweden to Rome, Pope Francis said the issue of women... Read more

A Mass of priestly ordination said in St. Peter's Basilica.

Cooperating in abortion is always an impediment to ordination, Pope affirms

Sep 16, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has confirmed that the impediments preventing one from being ordained – such as homicide, abortion, or attempted suicide... Read more

Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, speaks at the presentation of Iuvenescit Ecclesia, June 14, 2016.

Charisms help the Church answer life's challenges – Cardinal Müller

Jun 15, 2016

The new letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was issued to help the Church in her... Read more