Her focus now is on the upcoming study commissioned by the Vatican as part of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality on “the role of women in the Church.” She is leading a campaign called “God Says Now” to ensure that the priesthood is included in this study. The study will be completed by the Synod’s fifth working group, made up of members of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

“In the early stages of the ongoing Synod on Synodality, calls for the ordination of women came from all over the world,” said Father Anne. “It was about the ordination of women at all levels: deacons, priests and bishops. People cannot speak openly about it, but the call is real.”

Father Anne cited the Church’s long and open intellectual tradition as a key reason for including the issue of women’s priesthood in the study. “Whenever there is a question, we enter into dialogue. If parts of the world are demanding the ordination of women and other places are saying ‘no,’ then what is God’s invitation? The only way to find out is through open, honest and free inquiry. That is our tradition.”

Father Anne referred to a foreword that Pope Francis himself had written to the book Women and offices in the Synodal Churchin February by three theologians and two cardinals who attended the meeting of the Council of Cardinals. “In the course of the modern era, which is particularly marked by the fascination with ‘clear and precise’ ideas, the Church has sometimes fallen into the trap of considering fidelity to ideas more important than respect for reality,” wrote Pope Francis in the foreword.

He added: “However, reality is always greater than the idea, and when our theology falls into the trap of clear and distinct ideas, it inevitably turns into a Procrustean bed that sacrifices reality or part of it on the altar of the idea.”

For Father Anne, the reality is clear: women are being called to the priesthood all over the world. She has answered that call, even at the risk of being excommunicated from the Church. But she insists that she is still part of the Church, that she loves it deeply and that she believes it can change.

“Excommunication is the harshest punishment a member of the Church can receive under canon law,” she said. She still attends Mass at the institutional church, wears her collar and receives a blessing instead of Communion. “They cannot receive sacraments, work for the Church or volunteer for the Church,” she said. “But they cannot expel me from the Church; I will not be transferred.”

She said the God Says Now movement works with great respect for the institutional Church and the synodal process: “We appeal to the humanity of all in this historic movement… God Says Now works in the Church to advance the participation of women at all levels – deacon, priest and bishop.”

Father Anne believes that one of the most problematic aspects of the question of discernment is the way it has been framed. “To the question ‘Can the Church ordain women?’ many popes have given a clear answer: ‘No.’ The question needs to be reformulated: ‘Does God call women to ordained ministry?’ Asking the question in this way makes the Holy Spirit the protagonist. We ask, ‘Where is God?’ It also allows for a more honest look at how women have long struggled for full participation.”

Craig Ford Jr., assistant professor of theology and religious studies at St. Norbert College, who researches gender, sexuality and race in theology, said he believes Father Anne’s goal of bringing the priesthood into the upcoming course of study is modest and achievable.

“As a theologian who calls groups of students to study every day, my understanding of the move is to expand the scope of what this study group will be examining at the synod,” he told NCR. “I find nothing objectionable about that. There is nothing to be afraid of, especially when the question of gender is generating worldwide interest throughout the Catholic Church.”

Ford points out that there is consensus in the church that women assume many leadership roles at all levels. The question is whether these roles should be recognized sacramentally.

“Vatican documents say that respect for women’s leadership does not require sacramental recognition,” he says. “But some theologians are asking the question: If women are taking on the same leadership roles – caring for the sick as men and introducing people into the life of the Church as they do – then why are they being denied sacramental recognition?” asks Ford.

One argument is historical in nature: it asks why women who have taken on sacramental roles in the past can no longer do so today. This is the approach taken by Discerning Deacons, a group that has been advocating for discernment of women in the diaconate throughout the church since 2020.

Some theologians point to the idea of ​​dignity before God: Are men and women really equal if only men can serve in persona Christi– Ford and others point out that every day people see women serving in the name of Christ by doing good works and caring for others.

“If people experience women bringing Christ to them in a unique way, similar to a male priest, that might be the experience from which discernment needs to come. That’s what Father Anne is focusing on,” Ford said. “It’s one of the oldest theological messages we have – if people have had an experience, how can we focus on it not only in our worship but also in our teaching?” Ford said.

Father Anne said she believes the Church is at a turning point. Full participation by women has always been God’s desire, she said, but that desire can now be fulfilled because the entire world – religious and secular – is moving toward gender equality in leadership.

“We’ve had exclusively male leadership everywhere for most of human history. Now we have war, poverty, global warming. That doesn’t work,” she said. “There’s a massive awareness in humanity of our relationships to each other and to the Earth.”

Father Anne said we live in a time when the Church has the opportunity to take a prophetic stance.

“The Roman Catholic Church has grown. It is one of the largest non-governmental providers of education and health care in the world. It has a seat at the United Nations,” she said. “If the Church aligns itself with God’s will for women’s participation in the world, it will be a tremendous force for renewal.”