New Network Demands Equal Leadership Roles for Women in the Church
A new network called Women.Lead.Church has launched to push for greater gender equality in Church leadership. Despite women playing a major role in Church life, their representation in decision-making positions remains low. The group aims to change this by advocating for more opportunities and access to ordained ministry.
The Vatican's own Study Group 5 report has called for an increase in women's leadership roles within the Church. Yet progress has been slow, with even modest targets proving difficult to meet. The Church in Austria, for example, set a goal of filling at least one-third of leadership positions with women by 2028—but this now appears unlikely.
Women.Lead.Church plans to focus on existing pathways for women's leadership, many of which do not require changes to canon law. The network's founders highlight some positive developments, particularly in Austria and the Vatican. Since 2020, at least four women have taken on senior roles in the Vatican Curia, including Simona Brambilla as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Raffaella Petrini as head of the Vatican City Governorship. More recently, in mid-February, Nina Benedikta Krapic was appointed Vice Director of the Vatican Press Office. The group will also campaign for women's access to ordained ministry, including the seven sacraments. Supporters argue that the debate over ordaining women as deacons, priests, and bishops is about fairness—not special treatment.
Women.Lead.Church is now working to turn the Vatican's recommendations into action. The network's efforts come as the Church faces ongoing criticism over its slow progress on gender equality. While some advances have been made, the push for women's leadership in both ordained and non-ordained roles continues.
