Gender Equality

  • Reverence beyond lace veils

    When framed as a return to “authentic” worship, mantillas risk creating a sense of spiritual elitism. Without intention, they can leave others feeling judged or less devout, shifting focus from conversion and holiness to superficial signs.

    Reverence beyond lace veils
  • Are women more aware of Spiritual Abuse?

    Spiritual abuse was defined as a misuse of power. It occurs when leaders claim to represent God and demand obedience without question. Subordinates often believe conformity is equal to holiness, making this kind of abuse destructive, insidious, and difficult to challenge.

    Are women more aware of Spiritual Abuse?
  • New Lectionary promises inclusive language

    A new Lectionary in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand signifies a renewed commitment to ensure that Scripture is proclaimed with inclusivity, accessibility, and depth. It invites the faithful to recognise the living word as central to liturgy, identity, and mission.

    New Lectionary promises inclusive language
  • The Sistine Chapel’s God isn’t enough today

    Can a white, male God creating a white, male Adam still speak to today’s world? Jesus welcomed all—Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, men and women. Diversity was always part of the divine plan. What if creation looked like all of us?

    The Sistine Chapel’s God isn’t enough today
  • Language shapes power: Words matter

    Brambilla’s historic appointment is shadowed by a telling detail: an invitation to male-only meetings addressed to her with a masculine title. This slip highlights ongoing resistance to recognising women as equals within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.

    Language shapes power: Words matter
  • Where were the women?

    At Pope Francis’ funeral, aerial shots revealed a telling absence—women in liturgical leadership were nowhere to be seen, raising urgent questions about inclusion in the Church’s most sacred rites.

    Where were the women?
  • Francis’ legacy – women in the Church: A future still unwritten

    We know the next pope will not be a woman. But will the new pope take Francis’ slow steps toward change even further—or pull back?

    Francis’ legacy – women in the Church: A future still unwritten
  • Deacons – the diaconate – women deacons

    Dr Phyllis Zagano and Dr Joe Grayland discuss the diaconate and the actual need for deacons and women deacons. When we talk about the diaconate, we’re talking about many, many different things. What good is the diaconate? Why would anybody want to be a deacon, particularly a woman? Why would a woman want to be…

    Deacons – the diaconate – women deacons
  • The Catholic Church does not need women deacons

    Women deacons are effectively working well in the Church, except they’re not called deacons and aren’t ordained. Grayland has worked with eight women across three parishes who served the community full time. While acknowledging the Church might need more priests, Grayland argues the last thing needed is an expanded clerical class through the permanent diaconate.

    The Catholic Church does not need women deacons

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