Happy 2021! I hope this year starts out peacefully for every one of you.
In today’s National Catholic Reporter, my article features a group from San Diego who are working to create new spaces in their diocese for women’s voices to be heard and taken seriously, amid the realistic confines of the Catholic Church, which does not allow women to serve in ordained leadership positions.
You can read the full piece here: Event series’ proposals aim to raise women’s voices in San Diego Diocese
Sophie Vodvarka Chicago-Based Freelance Writer 
Hi Sophie,
Hope you are well and staying safe!
I’m impressed with the level of research and thoroughness that your article displayed … but I have to admit that I’ve become totally jaded to the point of disconnecting completely from any hope that the Church will do the right things in relation to women.
These women in San Diego are making a valiant effort, but it is clear from your article that they are tip-toeing around the “sensitivities” of the male priests/hierarchy. So their bishop “allows” the women to meet and discuss the “appropriate” roles for women, but still within the stifling confines of a male-only rule. It’s like being allowed to nibble around the edges of a cookie, but never get to the chocolate chips!
Not for me. I have no patience for these tepid, tentative, cautious moves. And I think the women are making a mistake to be carefully framing their voices and their activities so as not to upset the male leaders. They need to demand what’s right, and stand down from any support or involvement with the Church until it takes right action to the full equality of women.
Remember before the pandemic, there were plans for a Women’s Strike in the Catholic church in May? That’s what’s needed.
Someday the pandemic will be behind us, travel will once again be safe, and hopefully you will once again visit the Cape and join me for our mass at St. Mary of Magdala!
We’ve been having our masses on Zoom. And I couldn’t be more grateful. Including the Eucharist, btw. When we began our Zoom masses, our pastors said, Look, when we do the consecration, it’s not magic, nor the power of the priest, it’s the power of Jesus, and last time we checked, Jesus is not limited by time, space or websites! So it will be our intention to consecrate not only the wine and bread we have here with us, but also the bit of wine and bread you may wish to have with you for the mass. And we will then take communion together. I know the red-hatted Vaticanistas would be clutching their pearls over this, but for me, it’s been a great comfort. Let me know if you’d like to attend our Zoom mass, I’ll send you the link! 4:00 pm on Saturdays!
Keep well and keep writing, Sophie! Hugs, if only virtual… Kathy
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Kathy, it’s always great to hear from you. That mass sounds amazing. I’ll email you!