Women’s Ordination Conference – Roman Catholic

Misogyny: A Persistent Issue in the 22nd Century

The denial of women’s right to ordination in the Roman Catholic Church must come to an end. Many societies have made significant progress in recognizing that all individuals are created equal; indeed, equality is the hallmark of civilized societies. This issue is not exclusive to Catholic tradition; other faiths also grapple with similar attitudes. For instance, Muslims are not exempt from this challenge. However, organizations like Muslims for Progressive Values are leading the way by incorporating women into roles such as Imams leading prayers, and congregations have begun to thrive under this model. I am pleased to support these progressive values. In fact, when the first Muslim-woman-led prayer by Dr. Amina Wadud occurred in New York in March 2005, I had the honor of broadcasting it on my radio show.

At the Center for Pluralism, we will explore whether misogyny is religiously sanctioned or if men took it upon themselves to manipulate systems to their advantage. The unintended consequence of such actions has been to vilify God and religion.

Some men, feeling insecure about their worth compared to women, find ways to assert dominance by making women vulnerable. I am not only referring to groups like the Taliban in distant lands but also to a similar mindset present here in America. This mindset denies women the right to choose what they do with their bodies, rejects equal pay, and expects women to defer to their husbands.

Statements like “A woman should behave like a woman” and “Her place is at home” echo the sentiments of insecure men from various religious backgrounds—whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, or others. Women have endured this mentality for far too long, and it is time for us to feel, act, speak, and behave as equals. The silence of those who should speak out is often interpreted as an endorsement of right-wing views on women. The majority must continuously voice their support for equality.

What are the benefits of feeling, acting, thinking, and communicating as equals? Biases and prejudices do not lead to freedom; true freedom comes from cleansing our hearts and minds of all forms of bias. The feeling of freedom is worth removing the prejudices.

A well-functioning society strives for justice for every citizen. When justice becomes the norm in all aspects of life—between spouses, family members, community members, townspeople, state residents, and the nation—trust flourishes. People respect each other’s autonomy and allow others to live free from tension.

Mike Ghouse
www.CenterforPluralism.com

WOC Responds to Vatican’s Latest “No” on Women Deacons

Official Statement — For Immediate Release: 4 December 2025

Today, the Vatican released a long-awaited report from the latest commission studying the possibility of women deacons in the Roman Catholic Church. The commission, meeting in secrecy since its establishment under Pope Francis, voted 7–1 against restoring women to the diaconate, urging that this position be “strongly maintained,” even as it called for yet more study. The report also reaffirmed the so-called “definitive judgment” against women’s priestly ordination.

For many years, the open question of women’s ordination to the diaconate has been a path of possibility for women. This particular topic animated much of the Vatican’s global discernment during the multi-year Synod on Synodality, with the call for women in ordained ministries coming through loudly from all continents, including from high-ranking Cardinals.

The Women’s Ordination Conference is appalled by the Vatican’s refusal to open its doors to women, even a crack. Make no mistake: this is a decision that will harm the global church. Few will have the patience to excavate hope from the Vatican’s claim there is “need for further study” on the question of women deacons. If further study were truly needed, this commission might have engaged more women in its efforts, and taken seriously the responses submitted by the People of God after a worldwide call for input. WOC also notes that only 8 members of a 10-member commission voted on this question, adding more doubt that this commission functioned with any deep consultation or courage to respond to the signs of the time.

For centuries, women have served in the tradition of Phoebe (Rm 16:1). Women of every generation have experienced and expressed their vocation from God to serve the church in ordained ministry. Today, the diaconal, and priestly, work of women keeps the church functioning around the world.

To then have the commission suggest, even by way of a vote on the statement, that “the masculinity of Christ, and therefore the masculinity of those who receive Holy Orders, is not accidental but is an integral part of sacramental identity, preserving the divine order of salvation in Christ,” is a deep, and theologically unsound, insult.

For many women, this will be the final straw.

Just days ago the Women’s Ordination Conference marked the opening of its 50th anniversary year with perseverance and hope. Today’s report from the Vatican reaffirms the urgency of our message.

The next Women’s Ordination Conference will be in Detroit May 22-24, 2026, a time when we will continue charting a path toward true reform.

Contact Information

Contact: Kate McElwee, Executive Director
Email: kmcelwee@womensordination.org
Original Link:
https://www.womensordination.org/2025/12/woc-responds-to-vaticans-latest-no-on-women-deacons/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOhXW5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZMGRkRm5CSTkzWk90OTl3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhIZTIKYEOD6QrME4bZHGbDAEdSkuqZd4K8UrF2nBGDjCgXHC6J88WwpgLI__aem_b5IWuBQk1gFKzkZ9T7U-qA