The upcoming film “Conclave” is poised to generate significant buzz and controversy when it hits theaters this Friday. The star-studded mystery-thriller, based on a 2016 novel by Robert Harris, centers around the election of a new pope following the death of the previous pontiff. However, the film’s twist ending, in which the cardinals unknowingly elect a woman to the papacy, has already drawn sharp criticism from some Catholic leaders.
The plot reveals that the cardinals believe they have chosen a man to be the next pope, but he was actually born as a woman with an intersex condition and raised as a male. This dramatic reveal is sure to grab audiences’ attention, but it has also sparked a renewed debate about the Catholic Church’s longstanding prohibition on the ordination of women.
To provide insight into the Church’s position, CNA spoke with Father Carter Griffin, a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and the rector of St. John Paul II Seminary.
Father Griffin emphasized that the church’s teaching on this issue is clear and unwavering. He cited the apostolic letter “Ordinatio Sacerdotalis” by St. John Paul II, which stated definitively that “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women.” This sentiment has been repeatedly reaffirmed by recent popes, including Pope Francis, who has declared that “holy orders [are] reserved for men.”
While some may view this as discriminatory or unfair, Father Griffin argued that equality between men and women does not necessitate identical roles. He explained that “God created us differently in part so that we could exercise different roles and complement one another as mothers and fathers”—a principle that extends to the spiritual realm as well.
The priest acknowledged that women who feel called to the priesthood may find the Church’s prohibition frustrating. However, he stressed that there are countless other ways in which women serve the Church, from religious orders to parish life, education, healthcare, and more.
Priesthood, according to Father Griffin, is ultimately about service rather than power. He pointed to the biblical image of Christ washing his disciples’ feet as an illustration of this servant-leadership model.
The Catholic Church is participating in the Synod on Synodality, a global consultation process that has included discussions about the role of women in the Church, at the same time as the controversy surrounding “Conclave”. Despite this, the Church’s position on women’s ordination remains steadfast.
As Father Griffin put it, the Church “can’t” ordain women, not because of any perceived unfairness or discrimination, but because it believes it lacks the authority to do so, based on its understanding of sacred tradition and divine revelation.
The release of “Conclave” is sure to reignite this long-standing debate within the Catholic community and beyond. While the film may offer a tantalizing “what-if” scenario, the church’s stance on the matter appears unwavering, even in the face of changing societal norms and expectations.
As Catholics and non-Catholics alike grapple with the implications of the film’s twist ending, the Church’s unwavering commitment to its teachings on the male-only priesthood will likely continue to be a source of both fascination and frustration for many.