Women in the Church

The Latest

Pope Francis meets with the Council of Cardinals on Feb. 5, 2024, at the Vatican.

Female Anglican bishop participates in meeting with pope’s Council of Cardinals

The pope’s Council of Cardinals concluded a meeting at the Vatican this morning with Pope Francis reflecting on “the role... Read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

Vatican summit on 'theology of the priesthood' will look at questions raised in recent synods

Apr 12, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Marc Ouellet announced Monday that the Vatican will host a theological symposium on the priesthood that will touch on... Read more

Photograph of Saint Mary MacKillop in 1890. Public domain.

Australia celebrates 10th anniversary of St. Mary MacKillop’s canonization

Dec 7, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Australia is celebrating the 10th anniversary this year of the canonization of the country’s first and only saint, St. Mary... Read more

City skyline in Sydney, Australia.

Australian Catholic students urge bishops to 'reject unambiguously' women's ordination

Jul 20, 2020

Australian Catholic students have sent an open letter to the country’s bishops ahead of the upcoming Fifth Plenary Council of... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope appoints first woman to managerial position in Secretariat of State  

Jan 15, 2020

Pope Francis has named Dr. Francesca Di Giovanni as undersecretary for multilateral affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, marking... Read more

Sr. Alba Teresa Cediel Castillo speaks at a press briefing on the Amazon synod at the Holy See press office, Oct. 7, 2019.

Women religious play vital role in Amazon, sister says

Oct 7, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

A religious sister from Colombia taking part in the Amazon synod said Monday her congregation and other women’s religious congregations... Read more

Pope Francis in the gateway to Peru's Madre de Dios region in the Amazon January 19, 2018.

Amazon Synod to consider possible ordination of married men

Jun 17, 2019

By Courtney Mares

The working document for the special assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-amazonian region, released Monday, recommends study... Read more

Pope Francis' in-flight press conference returning from North Macedonia May 7, 2019.

Pope Francis: No plans for female deacons, but study continues

May 7, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Tuesday that the Vatican commission exploring the possibility of female deacons continues its study, but does not... 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

Tiwi children.

How one nun's lifelong service changed Australia's Tiwi community

Mar 13, 2018

By Elise Harris

For Sr. Anne Gardiner, a 62-year-long mission serving Australia's remote Tiwi indigenous population began with one simple instruction: “Love them.”  Read more