Women Archives

Take-Aways from the Pope’s “Great Swat” of New Year’s 2020

Jan 3, 2020

For those in Rome who follow Francis closely, the revelation that an 83-year-old Argentinian male has a temper wasn’t exactly a thunderclap.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Pope apologizes for ‘poor example’ in slapping woman’s hand New Year’s Eve

Jan 1, 2020

Pope Francis on New Year’s Day apologized for his “poor example” the night before, when he angrily slapped the hand of a woman in the crowd in front of St. Peter’s Basilica attempting to draw the pontiff to her.

By Elise Harris

Pope opens New Year with strong condemnation of violence against women

Jan 1, 2020

Pope Francis began 2020 with a bang on Wednesday, issuing a harsh condemnation of violence against women, insisting that how society treats women and their bodies is a measure of its level of humanity.

By Elise Harris

Vatican women’s journal hasn’t lost critical edge, from deacons to female theology

Dec 31, 2019

Nine months after the high-profile departure of the best-known in-house critic on women’s issues, the latest edition of a supplement dedicated to women’s issues published by the Vatican’s newspaper suggests that it hasn’t lost its critical edge.

By Elise Harris

National Council of Catholic Women prepares to celebrate centennial

Nov 8, 2019

The National Council of Catholic Women was established in Washington by the U.S. bishops in 1920. In a nod to those roots, the NCCW will hold its centennial convention in the Virginia suburbs of the nation’s capital next summer.

By Mark Pattison

Nuns say women’s empowerment happens on frontlines, not a ladder

Oct 17, 2019

Several nuns serving women and girls in conflict areas have said that in their view, while seeking greater recognition and leadership in the Catholic Church is important, women’s empowerment is more than simply trying to move up, but is about encouragement at the local level.

By Elise Harris