Note: These days the Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are in conclave, that is, they are
meeting to elect the next Pope, who will act as the universal pastor for one billion Catholics.

In this context, we offer for your reflection the following statement on the role of women in the
Catholic Church made by Dominican Sister Kathy Long at a press conference April 18, 2005.  

We do so because we believe that the foundation of violence is exclusion, because it leads to
domination which leads to oppression, war, invasion and occupation. Conversely, inclusion leads
to community which leads to communion of heart and soul. In this way, we believe a new world is
possible.

OPEN THE DOORS TO THE CONCLAVE, BROTHERS

A Conclave gathers and women of the Catholic Church are not present. No! At this event the
Cardinal does not represent me, a Catholic woman. Each Cardinal represents only the male clergy,
the hierarchy of this Catholic Church. This institutional Catholic Church excludes and divides us
as a faith community.

This Conclave – our Conclave – to elect our new leader of our Catholic Church is missing half of
its constituency – the women. We too are Church. Scripture proclaims: “God Created them... in
the divine image ... male and female,... and it was very good.”

Where are the women? Many are capable: women leaders of religious congregations and leaders
of lay institutions, chaplains, educators/professors, social service directors, theologians, canon
lawyers, human rights activists, parish directors, missioners, Catholic Workers, all holy women.
We ask to be included. This is what justice is.

This conclave to elect a new leader of our Catholic Church could invite representative women
from diverse cultures and theologies to make present the voice of the people of God from every
continent, and both genders. This is what justice is.

Like Shiphrah and Puak, our sisters of the Exodus journey, we will not accept the rules of
“empire” in a male-dominated church. But change is hard and slow. I have been to prison for civil
disobedience in our country resisting military domination, but how can I resist male-domination in
my church and be heard?

With the women of Latin America, with those of Africa and Asia, I say we don’t settle for papal
visits, we want voice in our church structure. We want to have our rightful place in the Conclave.
This is what justice is.

The United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights states women and men have equal rights, yet
even our Catholic Church denies us participation in equal roles. Open the door to the Conclave.
This is what justice is.

Women of the church are neglected, denied, negated, derailed from equal participation. Open the
doors to the Conclave, brothers, your sisters want to walk with you. We will not dominate and
exclude you. We want to walk with you. Our Catholic Church is for women and men, together
the Body of Christ. Together, equally, shepherding equally, together the Body of Christ.

Open the doors of the Conclave, brothers.
How long must we wait?
Where is the justice?

This statement was made by Kathy Long, OP, a staff member of the 8th Day Center for Justice at a
press conference and prayer service conducted at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on April 18,
2005

ACTIONS
1. Take one small step toward fostering inclusion within your family, place of worship or
workplace. For example, listen more attentively to someone who is usually ignored, refuse to
accept racist language or actions, challenge the lack of diversity at  meetings of decision makers
such as a board.
2. What connections do you see between exclusion, domination and violence? Between inclusion,
community and communion?
3. Include consideration for the Earth this Friday, April 22 (Earth Day) by using public
transportation, using a bike or walking to get to your destination.
4. Take heart, a just world is possible if we continue to work together to make it happen.