In our recent media release, the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) strongly rejects the Vatican's recent reaffirmation that women cannot be ordained, calling it a patriarchal distortion of the Gospel that ignores Jesus's commissioning of women like Mary Magdalene as apostles. Sadly their main argument is pure misogyny. A woman does not have the right male body part for the role!
ARCWP argues that denying women sacramental authority contradicts scripture, history (noting women's ordination for the first millennium), and the Spirit's call, with women in their movement already serving as priests and deacons in inclusive communities. The Vatican's stance is stifling the Church's mission, hindering equality, and failing to recognize the divine call in women, calling instead for a return to baptismal equality where all are welcome in ministry.
Scriptural Inaccuracy: The Vatican's claim that Jesus didn't choose women for priestly roles is false, given Mary Magdalene's role as the first preacher of the Resurrection, according to the Gospels.
Historical Precedent: For the first 1,000 years, women served as deacons with Holy Orders, a practice the modern Church unjustly ended. In addition, there is evidence of women serving in priestly ministry in the early centuries of the Church's history.
Archaeology and inscriptions (2nd-6th centuries CE), strongly suggests women served as priests (presbyterae) and bishops (episcopae) in early Christianity with depictions in art showing women at altars and epitaphs naming female clergy in places like Italy, North Africa, and Asia Minor, though definitions of ordination and clerical roles differed from modern views. See calendars with depictions by Dorothy Irvin and The Hidden History of Women's Ordination by Gary Macy.
Denial of the Divine: By excluding women, the Church denies God's image in women and diminishes itself, not just women.
Gospel vs. Patriarchy: The Vatican's decision reshapes the Gospel to fit a patriarchal structure, rather than embracing the truth of Jesus's inclusive vision.
Prophetic Obedience: ARCWP sees its ordinations as prophetic obedience, moving beyond talk to action by creating inclusive communities where women deacons and priests serve.
Call for Equality: They advocate for a model of Church rooted in baptismal equality, where all ministries, including ordination, are open to called and prepared individuals, serving God's people.
What the Vatican Commission Said (Context):
A Vatican commission voted against ordaining women deacons but noted the discussion isn't settled, according to reports from December 2025.
The commission cited the "masculinity of Christ" as integral to sacramental identity, a point ARCWP finds theologically unsound and an insult.
Pope Leo is expected to consider the commission's findings, which came after years of study and consultation, including input from women's groups.
ARCWP/RCWP have requested a meeting with Pope Leo to share our vocations to serve the people of God in inclusive communities and ministries. But so far, we have not received a response. I pray daily that Pope Leo will open the door to conversation with us.
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