Despite women taking on senior Vatican management roles, Catholic women continue to face barriers in liturgical and ordained …

September 23,

5:16 AM

In Commentary

Phyllis Zagano

Phyllis Zagano, Ph.D. is senior research associate-in-residence and adjunct professor of religion at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York.

September 23, 2026

Women’s ministry barriers are closer to home than Pope Leo thinks

Women are gaining influential positions in the Vatican, but their limited access to liturgical and ordained ministry shows how deeply cultural practices and theological questions continue to shape their place in the Church.

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Vatican Diary

Signs of the Times

Grimmgram

Lights and Shadows

Bruised Reeds

Waypoints

Light from the East

Faith in Action

Vox Pop

Vatican Diary

Signs of the Times

Grimmgram

Lights and Shadows

Bruised Reeds

Waypoints

Light from the East

Faith in Action

Vox Pop

Author: Phyllis Zagano

Women’s ministry barriers are closer to home than Pope Leo thinks

Phyllis Zagano

Women’s ministry barriers are closer to home than Pope Leo thinks

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