The time to move forward is now. The Church needs the faith, gifts and service of women deacons, priests and bishops now in a new model of priestly ministry in Christ-centered communities of equals. The Synodal discussion on women's leadership role in the Church must affirm gender equality in ordained ministry in order to be a Church for everyone.
The good news is that Catholic women are serving inclusive communities of faith as deacons, priests and bishops now widening the Church's tent.
A first step I'd like to see happen is a "conversation in the spirit" with Pope Francis and the Synodal delegates to share our 22 years of experience in fostering an inclusive Roman Catholic Church. We have made this request, but no response from the Vatican.
Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
"Pope Francis had the grandest of ambitions: to tackle some of the thorniest questions facing the Roman Catholic Church.
But when bishops and lay people convene Wednesday at the Vatican to talk about its future, one of the most contentious — whether women can be ordained as deacons — has already been taken off the agenda.
The decision, which came after four years of global consultations, has angered — but hasn’t discouraged — Catholics in some parts of the world.
“You can’t erase us, you can’t dismiss this,” said Miriam Duignan, a leader of Women’s Ordination Worldwide, one of several groups supporting female deacons that will be staging various events in Rome during the gathering. “You can’t deny the reality of what Catholics have asked for or dismiss a justice issue because some people objected to it.”...."
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