Saint Mary Magdalene Community Palmyra, NJ

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

Letter to the Editor
The Irish Times, 24 August 2026

Women and the Catholic Church

Sir, – As an octogenarian and a woman I continue to be amazed at the misogyny within the Church. The hierarchy it would appear prefer to recruit men from abroad to fill the shoes of our burnt-out and overworked elderly priests rather than stand together and demand the recognition of women and the impact they would bring to bear in so many ways.

But then why am I surprised as the church refuses to move into the 21st century despite the hard work, compassion and understanding of so many priests for which I am grateful for? – Yours, etc,

DEL Ó’ SULLIVAN,

Listowel,

Co Kerry.

07/27/2026

Apostle - Mary Magdalene

Mistaken assertions are made in recent dialogue that there were only 12 apostles and that they were all men! For most of the last 2,000 years, the formation of the lectionary, the privilege of preaching the homily at Mass, the development of doctrine, even the selection of the books of the Bible, have all historically been the domain of ordained men.

But there were others ... including women.

The stories of the women are now being surfaced and recovered through the work of modern scholarship that centres women’s stories and voices.

One of these is Apostle to the Apostles, Mary Magdalene. In 1969, the Vatican quietly began the work of correcting a wrong done to her in 591 AD by Pope Gregory I when he conflated Mary Magdalene with the ‘sinful woman’ of Luke and Mary of Bethany. For centuries this distorted label has persisted as a label wrongly attributed to Mary M.

Learn about the work done by Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Francis and also our friends at FutureChurch to move towards restoration of Mary's rightful place as one of the most faithful Apostles of Jesus: https://womensordinationcampaign.org/mary-magdalene-apostle-to-apostles-reform

Art | St Albans Psalter 12th century England

07/27/2026

The persistent narrative that Mary Magdalene was a pr******te is fiction. But it persists in pop culture and parts of the church, serving to discredit and diminish a woman who is also revered as the “Apostle to the Apostles.” What’s notable about Mary Magdalene is her spiritual leadership. Her insight and wisdom. Her role as first proclaimer. Her devotion as tomb-tender. Her appointment as witness. She is the one Christ entrusts with his presence and his most precious news.

Finding the “real Mary Magdalene” is more than a history project. It’s a spiritual journey into the depths of our unconscious sexism.

- Sojourners Magazine

07/16/2026

07/03/2026

Twenty-four years ago, seven Roman Catholic women stood on the Danube River and said, "Here I am, I am ready."

Two Roman Catholic bishops, moved by conscience and courage, ordained them to the priesthood on June 29, 2002: Iris Müller, Ida Raming, Pia Bruner, Dagmar Celeste, Adelinde Roitlinger, Gisela Forster, and Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger. The following year, they ordained two of the seven, Christine and Gisela, as bishops— so the apostolic succession could continue in the hands of women, ordaining women.

It did continue. Across rivers and borders and decades. The St. Lawrence Seaway. The Bodensee. Pittsburgh, where the rivers meet. California. South Africa. Colombia. Taiwan.

Today, Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA is part of this global movement started by the "Danube Seven," with 115 womenpriests actively serving in communities across four continents. Globally, the movement exceeds 250 womenpriests and bishops.

We carry our history with gratitude — including those who have gone before us, held in beloved memory.

We are still here. Still ordaining. Still serving.

What began on the Danube flows on. 🌊

06/21/2026

In 2026, The United Methodist Church celebrates the 70th anniversary of full clergy rights for women. This milestone invites us to honor the women who have faithfully answered God's call to ministry, celebrate the clergywomen serving today, and remember those who helped open the way for generations to come.