Catholic Women’s Power in Changing Times

Abstract

Significant political changes are taking place in Brasil, the United States, and many other countries. Likewise, ecclesial changes are taking place in the Roman Catholic Church during the pontificate of Francis. This paper explores some of the dynamics that include larger roles for women and backlash that accompanies such changes. One result is what the author calls “Cosmic Catholicism,” a way to describe a broadening and increasingly inclusive religious approach that can be conducive of justice and socially useful.