In recent years, the Catholic Church has found itself at the center of numerous discussions, both internal and external, regarding issues of inclusivity, tradition, and the role of women in ordained ministries. A critical moment in this ongoing dialogue is the Synod, a gathering of bishops convened to discuss matters of importance to the Church. Amidst the varied conversations, one voice stands out—Father Anne, an advocate for the ordination of women, who is spearheading the God Says Now campaign.
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The Catholic Church, an institution steeped in tradition, is currently undergoing a transformative process known as the Synod on synodality. This initiative, championed by Pope Francis, seeks to decentralize power within the Church, fostering greater participation and dialogue among its members.
One area of particular interest is the quest for gender equality, including the ordination of women. In this episode of the Your Radical Truth Podcast, host Margaret Mary O’Connor explored the challenges and possibilities presented by this synodal journey with Father Anne, a priest deeply committed to gender justice.
The Historical Context
To understand the significance of the Synod on synodality, it’s essential to recognize the historical context within the Catholic Church. The second millennium
witnessed a shift in power dynamics, with the papacy gaining prominence and the College of Bishops adapting to a hierarchical structure. This shift intensified during the 19th and 20th centuries, contributing to clericalism and a centralization of authority.
Vatican II and the Promise of Change
Vatican II, a landmark event in the 20th century, aimed to open the Church to the signs of the times. It called for a more engaged and participatory role for the laity, challenging the established norms. However, subsequent pontificates, particularly those of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, saw a retrenchment in certain aspects, stifling the promises of Vatican II.
The Synod on Synodality
Enter Pope Francis, a Vatican II Pope with a pastoral and inclusive approach. The Synod on synodality, a three-year process initiated by Francis, endeavors to reclaim the authentic tradition of collegiality among bishops, decentralizing power and inviting greater participation from the faithful. It was during this synodal process that the Church grappled with essential issues, including gender justice and the role of women.
The Challenge of Patriarchy
A critical aspect discussed in the conversation with Father Anne is the patriarchal nature ingrained within the Church. This patriarchal framework not only influences the question of women’s ordination but also shapes the Church’s teachings on gender, sexuality, and relationships. Breaking free from this ingrained perspective is a complex challenge that requires open dialogue and a willingness to evolve.
Hopes and Challenges
The Synod on synodality is viewed as a golden hour, an opportune time for the Church to breathe, reflect, and discern its path forward. However, challenges persist, including resistance from certain quarters, historical baggage, and the need for transparent conversations on contentious issues such as women’s ordination.
Father Anne’s Advocacy and Insights
Father Anne’s journey reflects a deep engagement with the ongoing discussions surrounding women’s ordination. Reflecting on a 60 Minutes episode from two
years ago, Father Anne highlights the fear and apprehension in some Catholics towards Pope Francis, signaling a disconnect between tradition and the evolving work of the Holy Spirit.
Discussing the recent Synod, Father Anne emphasizes the need for proper preparation and discernment among the faithful. Fear and resistance within the Church, particularly towards the LGBTQ community, underscore the challenges faced. Father Anne suggests that some bishops’ views may be influenced by personal struggles or an unwillingness to accept their own identities, leading to actions that contradict the Church’s core principles.
Father Anne delves into a critical revelation from her exploration of Canon Law, particularly Canons 208 to 223, forming a “Bill of Rights” for the Christian faithful. She identifies a conflict with Canon 1024, excluding women from priesthood, and asserts that this exclusion violates the fundamental rights outlined in these canons.
The God Says Now Campaign
The campaign initiated by Father Anne, the God Says Now campaign, seeks to make the ordination of women impossible for bishops to ignore. The Synod’s golden hour, as Father Anne describes it, represents an opportune moment for change, with the Spirit laboring for the inclusion of marginalized voices.
Father Anne challenges the Church to ask the right question in its discernment process, shifting from “Can the Church ordain women?” to “Is God calling women to serve in ordained ministries?” This reframing encourages a more honest and inclusive conversation, inviting the voices of women called to priesthood and a transparent examination of the Church’s history regarding women’s ordination.
As Father Anne embarks on a tour to raise awareness, engage with the institutional church, and activate hidden support for the cause, the hope is that the Synod’s closing in October will mark a turning point—a recognition that the issue of women’s ordination is not closed and demands further discernment.
Father Anne’s campaign and advocacy contribute to the ongoing evolution of the Catholic Church. By addressing the fear, lack of unity, and conflicts within the Church, Father Anne strives for a more inclusive, compassionate, and just faith community. The Synod, with its potential for change, becomes a pivotal arena for dialogue and transformation, guided by the spirit of openness and the pursuit of God’s vision for the Church.
About Father Anne
Father Anne was ordained on October 16, 2021, in Albuquerque, New Mexico through the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests and is now an independent Roman Catholic priest.
She has a deep love of the Society of Jesus and Ignatian spirituality, which blossomed over twelve years of ministering with Jesuits.
Father Anne earned a Master of Divinity from Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California, and has worked in several Jesuit parishes.
In addition to her formation in the Catholic Church, Father Anne has a master’s degree in Rhetoric and Writing Studies from
San Diego State University and 25 years of experience in strategic communications.
Deeply grounded in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, Father Anne has a passionate interest in the discernment of what the next era of the Church will look like.
While many have understandably walked away from the Roman Catholic Church, Father Anne obeys the call of the Holy Spirit to collaborate with God on the project of equality in one of the most powerful institutions in the world.
About Margaret Mary O’Connor
Margaret Mary O’Connor, as a member of the Catholic Laity, thought she knew everything about the Catholic Church, at least until she came upon a centuries-old Scandal of lies and cover-up by the Hierarchy of that Church. Frankly, she was fed up being lied to by her own Church, about its own past Church’s History on Women priests. With that realization, she truly felt in that moment, the monumental feeling of betrayal by her own Church.
Follow Margaret, as she travels down this Highway of Radical Truth where lies and outright coverup will be disclosed. Millions of Catholics are unaware of that past presence of Women Bishop’s, Women Deacons, as well as Women Priests, all there hiding in plain sight, in Early Church History.
As the complicity of this centuries-old Scandal continues, Margaret wants her fellow Catholics to learn the actual truth of this matter for themselves. She strongly believes, at minimal, any Catholic deserves the actual truth of this matter. To say that change is needed is hardly an understatement. She doesn’t let the Church’s betrayal stop her from uncovering some very fascinating Church Skeleton’s – one which very well might help solve our current priest shortage issue today.
Margaret Mary O’Connor has been called, “The Modern Day David” on many occasions. On a mission to reveal carefully guarded secrets of the Catholic Church, she unveils the truth through her well-researched writings.
Author of Scandal in the Shadows and Journey of a Celiac’s Soul, Margaret Mary is a force to be reckoned with. 
Follow Margaret Mary on the following social media platforms.
Twitter: @yrradicaltruth
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/yourradicaltruth/
