What Francis has done is to reestablish the priority of Vatican II in our liturgical life. He is saying, essentially, that no one can take an end run around it.

My students at a Catholic women's college have taught me—and can teach the rest of the church—a great deal about living in a church marred by the scandal of sexual abuse by clergy.

Perhaps when we ask if women can be ordained, we are asking the wrong question.

Archbishop (later Cardinal) John Francis Dearden of Detroit (1907-88) played an exceptionally significant role in paving the way for what Pope Francis is trying to do in reviving the ancient practice of including all the baptized in the work and mission of the church.

If we can treat others and their ideas with such humility and gratitude, the only thing we will ever want to cancel will be our pride.

Taking women seriously as students, staff and faculty means that the Jesuit institution considers them as essential to its mission.