Documentary Highlights Women’s Defiance of Catholic Church’s Ban on Female Priests

The film 'Femmes prêtres, vocations interdites' showcases the stories of 300 women ordained in secret and the growing calls for reform within the Church.

Approximately 300 women worldwide have been clandestinely ordained as priests, directly challenging the Catholic Church’s prohibition on female ordination.
The movement began in 2002 with public ordinations on the Danube and has since grown despite immediate excommunications by the Vatican.
The documentary by Marie Mandy, airing April 12, 2025, intertwines personal narratives with broader debates on gender equality and Church traditions.
Key figures like Myra Brown and Jacqueline Straub share their spiritual journeys and struggles against institutional barriers in pursuit of priesthood.
Some Church leaders, including Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, have hinted at the possibility of future reforms, suggesting a slow shift in perspective.