Just Catholic

Just Catholic is a Catholic perspective on the news—especially when the church itself becomes the news—from Phyllis Zagano.

New canon on women's ordination nothing new, can be changed

by Phyllis Zagano

Jun 7, 2021

Just Catholic: The important thing to remember is that the now codified restriction against ordaining women, at least as deacons, is a "merely ecclesiastical law." That is, it can be changed.

Pope Francis gestures as he addresses more than 1,000 diocesan leaders, both clergy and laity, May 9, 2019, at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Seated next to the pope is Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, vicar of Rome. (C

Francis is redesigning the church with new lay ministries

by Phyllis Zagano

May 12, 2021

Just Catholic: When Pope Francis said he did not want to clericalize the laity, he meant it. Now, while too many bishops have their cinctures in a knot over who can approach Communion, Francis is redesigning the church.

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 3. (CNS/Vatican Media)

Can the Catholic Church agree to change anything?

by Phyllis Zagano

Apr 15, 2021

Just Catholic: The "no-change" folks have a lot of clerical support. Some "change" folks continue to speak, but many walk away. But we know the church can change because it has, usually to maintain clerical power.

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass at St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad March 6, 2021. (CNS/Paul Haring)

Pope Francis' Mass in Iraq could have followed older rite

by Phyllis Zagano

Mar 9, 2021

Just Catholic: The Chaldean rite, with or without the words of institution, makes it clear that the Holy Spirit and the faith of the community create the Real Presence. But then there is the larger implication.

Columns ›

New canon on women's ordination nothing new, can be changed

Francis is redesigning the church with new lay ministries

Can the Catholic Church agree to change anything?

Pope Francis' Mass in Iraq could have followed older rite

Women's voices necessary for genuine discernment at synods

Catholic mob rule and those who support it

Time to cancel misogyny, and The Wall Street Journal

Adventures in clericalism with McCarrick and Trump

Are women involved in a toxic relationship with the church?

'Fratelli tutti' does not include women, and neither does 'fraternity'

Since the Amazon synod, what has happened to talk of synodality?

New cardinals? They'll be more of the same

The ties that bind: How the Catholic Church can respond to the cult of personality

While reopening rules get debated, the people of God starve for ministry

The end of clericalism

Two popes and a plague, just like the 14th century

It is time to ask, formally, for married priests and woman deacons

'The Two Popes' movie is better than the new 'three popes' book

After 'The Two Popes,' will the next movie be called 'The Schismatics'?

After the Amazon synod, a circus-like sideshow

Married priests and women deacons: It's about law, not doctrine

Women walking together, away from the church

People are suffering, dying; please stop the rhetoric!

Boundaries and borders serve 'us,' while all others suffer

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