Catholic Women

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Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on June 28, 2017.

Ordination of women should not be focal point of synod, Scandinavian cardinal says

Sep 14, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Cardinal Anders Arborelius said the issue of ordaining women “cannot lead further, as priestly ministry is reserved to men in... Read more

Austin and Nicole LeBlanc are expecting conjoined, twin girls who share one heart and other vital organs. Despite being advised to have an abortion, the couple says it is choosing life and will trust God in the situation.

Catholic mother expecting conjoined twins chooses life

Apr 27, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Despite doctors’ advice to have an abortion, Nicole and Austin LeBlanc believe “God has a plan for everything.” Read more

Thousands of people demonstrated in front of the Congress of the Union, Mexico’s federal legislature, demanding that lawmakers draft and pass laws protecting the true rights of Mexican women and children.

Thousands in Mexico march in defense of the family and children

Mar 2, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

Thousands demonstrated in front of Mexico’s federal legislature earlier this week demanding that lawmakers protect the true rights of Mexican... Read more

The bishops' call for adherence to Catholic "rules" follows an internet controversy over a August 2022 video of a laywoman who seemed to concelebrate Mass with priests.

Swiss bishops call for respect for ‘rules’ after woman appears to concelebrate Mass

Jan 12, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The bishops’ intervention follows internet controversy over a video of a laywoman who seemed to concelebrate Mass with priests. Read more

Sr. Raffaella Petrini meets Pope Francis.

Pope Francis appoints three women to Dicastery for Bishops

Jul 13, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Wednesday named three women to the Dicastery of Bishops, the Vatican office responsible for evaluating new members... Read more

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Are these the two women Pope Francis will appoint to the Dicastery of Bishops?

Jul 11, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The two new female members of the Dicastery of Bishops are likely two religious sisters already well-known in the Vatican,... Read more

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli (second from left) and Sr. Nathalie Becquart (third from left) pose with Pope Francis and others during the youth synod in 2018.

Pope Francis announces appointment of women to committee selecting new bishops

Jul 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis has said he would announce the appointment of two women to the Vatican committee that elects bishops. Read more

Sister Laura Vicuña, delegate of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA).

Pope’s cardinal advisers debate women’s role in the Church with Amazon nun

Apr 28, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Sister Laura Vicuña presented a report offering “a pastoral perspective” on women in the Church. Read more

Pope Francis and Armida Barelli.

Pope Francis: Armida Barelli is a model for politically engaged Catholic women

Mar 31, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope recalled that in 1924 his grandmother met Barelli, who will be beatified in April. Read more

Pope Francis meets members of the Centro Femminile Italiane in the Vatican's Clementine Hall, March 24, 2022.

Pope Francis: Women can change the system of power behind Russia-Ukraine war

Mar 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘The real answer is not more weapons, more sanctions,’ he said. Read more

The Council of Cardinals meets with Pope Francis on Feb. 21, 2022.

Pope Francis’ cardinal advisers discuss role of women in the Church

Feb 23, 2022

By CNA Staff

They heard and commented on a report on ‘the role of women and the Marian principle in the Church.’ Read more

Attendees at the 2019 GIVEN Forum, which met at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Photo

Forum forms women in leadership, dignity, faith

Jun 17, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

The 2019 GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum, which met last week, convened more than 100 professional Catholic women in... Read more

Closeup shot of a woman holding her hands together and praying over an open Bible.

New Catholic group aims to form next generation of women leaders

Sep 12, 2018

By Christine Rousselle

The GIVEN Institute hopes to shape a new generation of Catholic leaders through a program of faith formation, mentoring, and... Read more

In Europe, Catholics and feminists unite against surrogacy

Apr 1, 2017

Reproductive issues often leave Catholics and secular feminists at odds, but a recent anti-surrogacy conference in Rome has created an... Read more

In new book, millennial Catholic women chat faith, life and dating

Jul 25, 2016

Megan Finegan and Kaylin Koslosky are not theologians, journalists, or youth ministers. But the 22-year-old friends believe that they can... Read more

What challenges do women face at work? The Vatican takes a look

Dec 8, 2015

By Ann Schneible

A two-day Vatican workshop over the weekend explored the unique challenges faced by women as they balance work with family... Read more

Women in prayer.

Women are irreplaceable in passing on the faith, Pope says

Jan 26, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Women in the family have a crucial role in transmitting the faith from one generation to the next, said Pope... Read more

 Lucia Scaraffia reads the special insert on the Theology of Women in L'Osservatore Romano, April 7, 2014.

Vatican newspaper gives voice to women in the Church

May 22, 2014

The co-founder of a monthly insert on women's issues in the Vatican newspaper says its pages offer a valuable platform... Read more

A rose with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.

Women's dynamic service to Church celebrated at Vatican

Mar 11, 2014

On March 8, dozens packed into the Vatican's tiny San Carlo Cinema for what was hailed as a “unique storytelling... Read more