Massive crowds are expected to gather in the nation’s capital to hear Pope Francis speak, but one small group of Kentuckians is hoping to send the pontiff a message.
The Roman Catholic Church’s canon law 1024 restricts the priesthood to men only, but outside St. Matthew’s Cathedral today, six Kentucky activists plan to gather in support of women’s ordination.
"And we will be wearing our white albs and a stole, and we will be carrying signs," she says. "Mine sign will say 'women priests are here.'"
Ordained against church rules in 2008, Janice Sevre-Duszynska says she’s hopeful Francis could move the needle on the issue.
"You know, this is a pope who does many good things and certainly more welcoming and embracing than previous popes in my opinion," she says.
Though Francis has called for greater roles for women in the church, few concrete steps have been taken in that direction at the Vatican. At a press conference in 2013, the pope said the Church has spoken and the door is closed on women’s ordination.
