From Women’s Ordination Conference newsletter

The US bishops have now made their national synthesis of diocesan synod sessions publicly available, and if that wasn't enough of a surprise, it also included this quote:

 “There was a desire for stronger leadership, discernment, and decision-making roles for women – both lay and religious – in their parishes and communities: ‘people mentioned a variety of ways in which women could exercise leadership, including preaching and ordination as deacon or priest. Ordination for women emerged not primarily as a solution to the problem of the priest shortage, but as a matter of justice.’”

 Even filtered through the USCCB, a clear and bold call for women's ordination as a matter of justice made it into the document. That is an amazing thing. And would not, could not, happen without you! Thank you for the ways you courageously and vulnerably engaged with the synod.

 This report joins a global chorus of voices calling out for Gospel equality. In England, Ireland, southern Africa, Australia, Germany, Spain, Canada, and elsewhere, the People of God long for ordination justice.

 Now, the process zooms out to the Continental Phase, where groups of lay experts and bishops representing large geographical and "episcopal regions" so to speak, will draft a “Final Document for the Continental Phase'' summarizing themes collected in national reports. These documents will then form the basis of the Instrumentum Laboris, or working document, for the final stage of the synod.

 While not much is known yet about who has been hand-picked by the hierarchy to guide this phase of the process - largely behind closed doors - we know from experience that our efforts must continue.

 The message from Kate McElwee and Katie Lacz, WOC

June, 2022

Dear Senators:

After another week of tragic gun violence and the deaths of 19 children and 2 adults at the Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, we feel compelled to write this letter. It appears that our elected leaders are more interested in listening to the NRA gun lobby than protecting our children. This must change!

Please act on legislation for common-sense gun laws and responsible gun ownership. The tragic deaths from gun violence not only affect the families of the victims, but also affect the survivors and the rest of the community.

The United States has become a battleground with fatalities in churches, schools, theatres, and grocery stores; places we formerly considered safe. Tragedies like Columbine, Sandy Hook, Buffalo, Parkland and now Uvalde are fast becoming reoccurring news headlines.

When is enough enough? Please do whatever it takes to stop these gun-related tragedies: listen to experts, reach across the aisle, pray for enlightenment-whatever it takes to make gun violence stop. You have the authority to change the love of power to the power of love.

Respectfully yours,

Full Circle Catholic Church