Elizabeth Jane Via, IHM, is a California lawyer who was born in St. Louis, MO in 1947. As of November 2019, over one hundred and forty women have been ordained in the

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP) is an independent international organization that claims a connection to the Roman Catholic Church. It is descended from the Danube Seven, a group of women who assert that they were ordained as priests in 2002 by ...

(RCWP) movement worldwide. RCWP is not sanctioned by the

Roman Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

, which considers ordination of women a violation of its canon law 1024 and invalid. She was ordained in 2004 as a Deacon in the RCWP on the Danube River, then as a womanpriest in 2006 aboard a boat in international waters between Austria, Germany and Switzerland. She began her own faith community in 2005 and co-founded with Rod Stephens which is called the Mary Magdalene the Apostle Catholic Community. In 2017, she was elected one of two Bishops in the Western Region of the RCWP. She is a member of the Immaculate Heart Community (IHM) in Southern California. In 1984 she was one of 97 theologians and religious persons who signed

A Catholic Statement on Pluralism and Abortion "A Catholic Statement on Pluralism and Abortion", alternatively referred to by its pull quote "A Diversity of Opinions Regarding Abortion Exists Among Committed Catholics" or simply "The New York Times ad", was a full-page advertisement placed on ...

, calling for

religious pluralism Religious pluralism is an attitude or policy regarding the diversity of religious belief systems co-existing in society. It can indicate one or more of the following: * Recognizing and tolerating the religious diversity of a society or countr ...

and discussion within the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

regarding the Church's position on

abortion Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion"; these occur in approximately 30% to 40% of pregn ...

. She reported losing speaking engagements because of the controversy following the published statement. Via co-founded the Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community in November 2005. She speaks at meetings and conferences concerning women's ordination and inclusive ministry. Via has attempted to speak on the topic of women in the priesthood at organizations affiliated with the official

, but her invitations to speak have sometimes been revoked. Via is also an attorney with the San Diego District Attorney's office.Elizabeth Jane Via record with California Bar Association
/ref> In 1991 she was one of the county's attorneys in the case of Alicia Wade.

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Tragedy, errors shatter a family
California lawyers Year of birth missing (living people) Place of birth missing (living people) Living people Activists from California {{US-activist-stub