The Vatican has closed the door for now on ordaining women deacons, but this does not diminish the leadership roles women can occupy within the Catholic Church. Instead, we are called to redefine the meaning of leadership in a faith context.
It is about the ability to serve, nurture and guide, not just about holding a particular title. As a woman in leadership in the church, with authority not conferred by ordination, I have come to realize that women can be leaders within the church without being ordained as priests. The unique and indispensable contributions that women bring to the church can go far beyond those of the clergy because they are not bound to clerical roles. A woman such as Dorothy Day, who was neither a nun nor held any ecclesiastical office, is an excellent example of how women can have a powerful voice within the church.
Two of the saints who inspire me the most are St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Ávila. Neither was ordained, yet each transformed the church in profound ways. Their impact was not limited by titles but rather amplified by their teachings, their witness and the depth of their spiritual lives. St. Catherine advised popes and played a key role in returning the papacy to Rome, and St. Teresa reformed the Carmelite order with a boldness that came from deep inner authority, not an external one. They showed how women hold an essential place in the church’s mission, and how they live out the call to holiness and service in countless ways. The unique perspectives and gifts that women bring, in collaboration with clergy, enrich the church in ways that go beyond what ordination could offer.
The church has long emphasized the importance of both paternal and maternal dimensions within its theology and spiritual leadership. While the paternal role, symbolized by the hierarchy of priests, bishops and ultimately the pope, often takes visible precedence, maternal leadership within the church is a nuanced and vital force that nurtures faith, builds community and advances social justice.
Remember that in the Catholic tradition, motherhood, whether spiritual or physical, has always been regarded as a sacred vocation. The nurturing, compassionate and intuitive qualities that women often bring to their relationships allow them to serve as natural guides and mentors, especially for younger Catholics seeking to grow in their faith. In my experience, this nurturing presence can shape a parish or community as profoundly as any priest’s homily.
Mother Mary is regarded as the ultimate example of faith, obedience, intercession and compassion. She exemplifies leadership that is self-sacrificing and deeply relational, and by her assent to God’s will, she demonstrates that leadership does not solely derive from authority but also from love and service. By imitating Mary’s virtues and cultivating a personal devotion to her, any woman can have a powerful and transformational influence within the church equal to that of ordained clergy.Women who follow Mary’s example support the church’s mission in ways that are frequently deeper than those that can be accomplished with priestly authority. They do not need to be ordained; they just need to be maternal. And being maternal extends beyond biological relationships. It embodies an instinct to protect, care for and guide others, and to provide a safe environment for development, including spiritual growth.
Mary’s influence permeates Catholic teaching, particularly through doctrines such asMariology, which highlights her role as a mediator and intercessor. This theological foundation underlines that maternal leadership does not undermine paternal authority; instead, it complements it by adding a softer, nurturing dimension. In this way, Mary’s role creates a model for women and all maternal figures within the church to emulate, providing a framework for compassionate guidance, understanding and care.
While women religious have an important role, laywomen within the church are also vital to the exercise of maternal leadership, especially at the parish level. For many laywomen, the church becomes an extension of their family, where their maternal instincts can be shared with the larger community. Through their leadership, they bring warmth, empathy and resilience, helping to create parishes that feel welcoming and inclusive. This form of leadership plays an integral role in sustaining the vibrancy of Catholic communities, offering a model of faith that is approachable, grounded and deeply personal.
The exercise of maternal leadership within the Catholic Church is a powerful yet often underappreciated force that builds community, cultivates faith and promotes justice. Rooted in the model of Mary and carried forward by laywomen in leadership and women religious, maternal leadership embodies a form of guidance that is gentle yet resolute, compassionate yet courageous. As the church continues to grow and evolve, it has the opportunity to fully embrace and celebrate this invaluable dimension of leadership. By doing so the church can better reflect the richness of its tradition, one that encompasses both the maternal and paternal qualities that together build up the whole body of Christ.
More from America:
- A ‘fourth order’ for women deacons in the Catholic Church? Reflecting on the possibility
- How misogyny prevents many Catholics from accepting women in leadership
- Cardinal Fernández faced tough questions at synod meeting on women’s ministries
- Podcast: Cardinal Tobin on the synod and the future of women deacons
