Women's Ordination

The Latest

Bishop Stefan Oster.

German bishop says divisions within local Church are a ‘disaster for the faithful’

Nov 30, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Bishop Stefan Oster did not shy away from identifying profound theological disagreements as the source of division within the Church... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Vatican draws line on women’s ordination and homosexuality in new letter to German bishops

Nov 24, 2023

By AC Wimmer

The letter also warned of potential disciplinary consequences for anyone defying Church teaching. Read more

“As a woman, I’m not focused at all on the fact that I’m not a priest,” Renée Köhler-Ryan, one of 54 women delegates to the Synod on Synodality, said at a press briefing Oct. 17, 2023.

Theologian at Synod on Synodality: There’s ‘too much emphasis’ on women priests

Oct 17, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“As a woman, I’m not focused at all on the fact that I’m not a priest,” Renée Köhler-Ryan said at... Read more

Bishop Felix Gmür of Basel told Swiss newspaper “NZZ am Sonntag” on Sept 24, “It’s time to abolish mandatory celibacy.”

Swiss bishop calls for women’s ordination, end to celibacy ahead of synod

Sep 25, 2023

By AC Wimmer

“It’s time to abolish mandatory celibacy,” Bishop Felix Gmür of Basel told the Swiss newspaper NZZ am Sonntag on Sept... Read more

Bishop Alfredo de la Cruz of San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic.

Bishop who will attend synod: We must address issue of women deacons and priests

Sep 20, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The bishop of San Francisco de Macorís in the Dominican Republic, Alfredo De la Cruz, said the Synod on Synodality... Read more

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

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ, speaking at a press conference in the Vatican on Aug. 26, 2022.

Cardinal Hollerich: There’s ‘space to expand’ Church teaching on all-male priesthood

Mar 28, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Pope Francis does not want the ordination of women, and I am completely obedient to that. But people continue to... Read more

Delegates at the fifth assembly of the German Synodal Way, meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 11, 2023, applaud after the he passage of a text calling for changes to the German Church's approach to gender identity.

Women’s ordination, transgender ideology move forward at German Synodal Way

Mar 11, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Delegates also elected members for a commission tasked with establishing a permanent, national Synodal Council. Read more

Sister Nathalie Becquart, who serves as an undersecretary for the Church’s ongoing Synod on Synodality, was recently named on the BBC’s list of 100 inspiring and influential women around the world.

Synod on Synodality official: Women priests ‘not an open question’ for the Church

Dec 13, 2022

By Courtney Mares

In an article published Dec. 13, Sister Nathalie Becquart said that there are many ways for women to serve the... Read more

Pope Francis meets a group of women at the end of his weekly general audience at the Paul VI hall in the Vatican on March 2, 2022.

Pope Francis explains to America Magazine why women cannot be ordained priests

Nov 28, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

Pope Francis unequivocally stated that women cannot be ordained as priests but emphasized the important role they have to play... Read more

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018.

What does the synod document say about ordination of women, LGBTQ issues, and the liturgy?

Oct 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares

At the heart of the synodal process is “a Church capable of radical inclusion,” according to a key document released... Read more

Image posted by the Synod of Synodality on its social media networks.

Priests reject controversial synod poster: it’s ‘out of bounds and confusing’

Sep 29, 2022

By CNA Staff

Two Spanish priests recently posted their analyses on social media of a controversial drawing posted to the Synod on Synodality... Read more

‘Synodal Way’ flags fly in front of the Congress Center Messe Frankfurt in Germany.

German ‘Synodal Way’ members back text calling for women priests

Feb 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

The appeal passed by 174 votes in favor, 30 against, and 6 abstentions. Read more

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018.

Synod of Bishops’ resources website links to women’s ordination group

Jan 19, 2022

By CNA Staff

An official suggested that the website was not promoting the group. 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 Denis Theurillat, auxiliary bishop of Basel, Switzerland, from 2000 to 2021. Credit: Diocese of Basel.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of bishop who called for council to discuss women priests

Feb 9, 2021

Pope Francis on Monday accepted the resignation of a Swiss bishop who recently called for a council to discuss women... 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

Bishop Barry Knestout. Photo Courtesy of Archdiocese of Washington

‘An act of charity’: Virginia bishop defends parish hosting Episcopalian consecration

Jan 15, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

Bishop Barry Knestout of the Diocese of Richmond has issued a statement responding to concerns that a local parish church... 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