The Catholic Network for Women’s Equality (CNWE) joins with Catholics and people around the world in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo’s first words, “Peace be with you” echo the risen Christ, the greeting of Christians gathered in prayer, and the aching hope of people of goodwill for world peace.
Like many Catholics, we are not familiar with this newly elected bishop of Rome, yet we are heartened by his opening words, “we want to be a synodal Church.” The synodal process of global consultation and prayerful dialogue begun in 2021 by Pope Francis is at a critical stage. Momentum must continue and accelerate toward tangible and significant structural change if the vision of a more welcoming Church is to become a reality.
Women, the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Indigenous peoples, clergy abuse survivors, Catholics of all ages, divorced and remarried Catholics, and married clergy must become integral partners in the ministry and governance of a truly synodal Church. Those who have been marginalized must have a voice in the evolution of Catholic teaching, so that it reflects the radical love and compassion of Christ for our times.
As CNWE member Mary Ellen Chown says,
“Women have long been ready and willing to be full and equal participants in Catholic Church life, as ordained ministers in local parishes and in all areas of ministry and leadership in a renewing, inclusive and accountable Church.”
The new Pope’s formation as a priest in the Order of St. Augustine orients him to an inner life of deep spirituality to guide his communal life of service and love. As a person of both American and Peruvian citizenship, he brings to the papacy decades of service, particularly to persons living in poverty in Peru. His capacity to speak multiple languages and his international experience in the leadership of his religious order and at the Vatican should offer him a global perspective on the needs of the Church and world.
We see the choice of the name “Leo” by former Cardinal Robert Prevost as a signal of his desire to follow in the footsteps of Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) who established the Doctrine of Catholic Social Teaching for the modern era. We pray that this teaching, which advocates for the dignity of all human persons, the rights of workers, support for the most vulnerable, social structures oriented toward the Common Good and care for the Earth will be reinvigorated in the Church – as a way of being for Catholics, and a model of justice for the world.
In this Easter season in the life of the Church, we echo the prayer of Pope Leo XIV:
“Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with one another, let us advance together.”