Jane and Felix Krzyanowski

Roman Catholic Women Priests Canada is delighted to announce the episcopal ordination of Teresa Hanlon, marking a profound moment in the ongoing journey toward justice and equality in the Roman Catholic Church. On September 20, 2025, Teresa Hanlon became the fourth Roman Catholic woman bishop in Canada, joining a growing circle of courageous women who are reshaping the landscape of ordained ministry.

The ordination liturgy was held at Hillhurst United Church in Calgary, Alberta, and was presided over by Bishop Jane Kryzanowski of Regina, who herself has served with distinction and grace for seven years. The ceremony was enriched by the presence of international bishops and a vibrant community of supporters, affirming the global significance of this event.

The celebration began with a contemplative harp prelude featuring the music of Hildegard von Bingen, setting a sacred tone for the liturgy. The service was live-streamed, allowing people from across Canada and around the world to witness and participate in this historic occasion.

Teresa Hanlon steps into this role with deep spiritual commitment and a heart for inclusive ministry. Her ordination reflects RCWP Canada’s mission to embody a renewed model of church—one that recognizes the full dignity and calling of women in all aspects of ecclesial life.

As Bishop Hanlon begins her episcopal ministry, RCWP Canada celebrates not only her leadership but also the growing momentum of the Spirit calling forth women to serve as equals in the Church. This ordination is a testament to faith, courage, and the enduring hope for transformation within Catholicism. To quote Bishop Jane:

“I invite you to enter a moment of silence with me allowing the Sacred Word settles deep within us, waiting to be stirred by the Holy Spirit. Come, Blessed Sophia. Pray with me, that I may break open the Word by the power of your presence within me. (pause)

Today, we gather to consecrate the sacred chrism with which Teresa will be anointed Bishop tomorrow. We “re-call” that the Spirit—Sophia-Wisdom—is indeed upon her, just as the Spirit was upon Jesus when he sat in the Synagogue with the elders. What’s more, the Spirit is upon each of us who dares to live the Gospel with courage and compassion.

Before Teresa’s ordination as priest, RCWP Canada gathered in retreat, grounding ourselves in the Beatitudes as the heart of our mission, vision, and values. I have continued to reflect upon and treasure in my heart what we were blessed with at that time and what it means for the Spirit to be upon us. It has bubbled up again at this time in the following Beatitudes for Bishops which I offer you today. Though spoken especially for Teresa, our bishop-elect, they are for all who would live in the Spirit.

Beatitudes for the Bishop

The Spirit of God is upon the one who lives with gratitude for what is given her, trusting its enoughness; who relies on the goodness of God in all things, choosing a lifestyle of simplicity and solidarity with the poor. Through her witness, Creator’s kindom draws near.

And the Spirit is upon each of us who dares to live likewise.

The Spirit of God is upon the one who does not fear to mirror the sorrow of the people. Her tears of compassion water her face, and in the embrace of one who suffers, she encounters the blessing of consolation from the Creator.

The Spirit also moves in those among us who stand close to the broken hearted.

The Spirit of God is upon the one who is a servant-leader. Who makes collegiality and collaboration her strength, offering space in her heart to all, so that all may dwell together in harmony—a promise from Creator for the meek and humble of heart.

And the Spirit moves in us when we lead with love.

The Spirit of God is upon the one who stands in solidarity with those who hunger for justice. In the quiet of daily prayer, she meets the Creator, who nourishes her longing for equity and righteousness.

The Spirit calls us all to share that hunger and to seek justice with courage.

The Spirit of God is upon the one who shows mercy from a tender heart. She does not shy away from the world’s pain but reaches into the soil of suffering to uncover the soul’s hidden treasures. She knows her own need for healing and forgiveness. Her mercy reveals Creator’s “chesed”—divine compassion.

We are invited to receive and share this mercy as well.

The Spirit of God is upon the one who holds a singleness of heart, avoiding ambiguity and maintaining integrity. She seeks what is good even amid evil and is blessed to see the face of God in every turn.

May we, too, purify our gaze to behold divinity in the ordinary.

The Spirit of God is upon the one who walks with the people entrusted to her care, working for peace, building reconciliation, and fostering unity. She is known and blessed by Godde as a Shepherd after the Divine Heart.

And the Spirit is upon us when we labor for peace, shoulder to shoulder.

The Spirit of God is upon the one who, for the Gospel, makes brave decisions. Like Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, she is undeterred by resistance or misunderstanding. She knows that the kingdom of Godde advances by truth, justice, mercy, and love.

So may we, with the Spirit upon us, walk the path of Gospel conviction.

Teresa, we rejoice in the fullness of the Spirit poured upon you. Through the sacred ministry about to be entrusted to you, may you pastor Godde’s people with the mind and heart of Christ—and may the blessings you receive ripple outward to all of us, anointed for love and service in our own ways.

May it be so! Amen.

Let us begin in silence as the Sacred Word we just heard descends gently into our hearts, awaiting the breath of the Spirit to stir the fire within us. Pray through me, Holy Wisdom, that I may break open the Word with clarity and grace.

Imagine with me for a moment, if you will, that I go to the Hanlon’s house and ask if they have some bread they could give me for some hungry people I just met. Do you think Teresa would give me a lovely stone she picked up from the Old Man River bed which runs near their house? Or, with the fragrance of fresh baking lingering in the air, would she offer me a prize loaf of Vincent’s sourdough bread to feed these strangers?

The Gospel Teresa chose for today, show us the heart of Divine Love: the One who fashioned stars from dust and breathed life into clay longs to nourish us with abundance beyond imagining. “Who among you, if your child asks for bread, would hand them a stone?”

Today, in joyful hope, we ask the Divine Holy for the Bread of Heaven. We ask for an overflowing of Spirit—upon Teresa and upon this community gathered in person and on line—as she steps into the ancient and sacred ministry of bishop.

We give thanks to the Holy One, who called Teresa with a voice only her heart could hear—a whisper woven through years of quiet faithfulness and bold justice.

And we thank you, Teresa, for your courageous “YES.”

We are all beckoned to walk the Way of Jesus—that narrow path carved by love and resistance, by grace and grit. It leads not to comfort, but to the joy of abundant life. This road is lit by Gospel truth and paved by the brave hearts of the visionary women of the Roman Catholic Women Priests (RCWP) movement.

Twenty years ago, on July 25, 2005, nine women dared to step into the river of history and change its course. With holy defiance, they brought the movement for women’s ordination to North America.

We are blessed to have with us today one of those women ordained a priest that day, Jean Marchant, and one of the ordaining bishops, Christine Myer-Lumetzberger. Marie Bouclin was among the community that witnessed this outpouring of the Spirit aboard a boat in the St. Lawrence Seaway.

And, we remember Patricia Fresen, another of the ordaining bishops and the 1st bishop of Canada, and Michele Birch-Conry, the first woman from Canada to be ordained on this occasion. Surely they are among the holy ones dancing in Spirit with us today.

These foremothers envisioned a renewed Church where baptism, from which all ministry flows, confers full dignity on all, where ordination is a response to the Divine call and not bound by gender, and where pastoral service blossoms from love, not gatekeeping.

They were called heretics. And we thank them for it. As Patricia once said, a heretic is one who simply “thinks differently.”

They were called radicals—and rightly so. To be radical is to return to the roots—to Gospel roots, where justice rises from the soil and brings fruit to the table.

Today, we cultivate the vision we received from our wisdom elders. We prepare ourselves to respond to the challenges of our time as part of the new Church unfolding as was discussed in the panel presentation last night. We listen to the Spirit’s voice and respond where our heart’s desires meet the world’s deepest needs. Rooted and grounded in love, we are not afraid to dig in and get our hands dirty in response to the cries of the world and, thus, be a blessing.

As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year 2025, the RCWP movement offers the universal Church a gift born not of rebellion, but of deep faithfulness: to transform a system built on fear into a community shaped by courage, hope, joy, and radical love. We want each and all of you, and anyone for that matter, to feel that you can come to our door and be nourished with the finest sense of hospitality and inclusion, and together break the bread of word and sacrament that sustains us each day.

We stand in apostolic succession. Our first women bishops were ordained by male bishops in good standing with the Vatican. Our ordinations are valid—even if contrary to Vatican rules. This truth is both challenge and blessing—a signpost pointing to a Church not yet whole.

Teresa has been chosen bishop by the RCWP Canada community. The bishop holds a special ministry in the discipleship of equals. Centered in the Sacred Liturgy, especially the Eucharist, she becomes a point of unity among the people she serves and joins bishops across the globe in guiding God’s people.

From this center her pastoral service radiates.

To foster the mind and heart of Christ through sound teaching and fearless preaching.

To pastor the pastors, with the loving care of a shepherdess.

To ordain future priests and deacons.

To carry forward the sacred legacy and vision of RCWP.

And, to dream and discern where the Sacred Path will lead next.

Above all, bishops are called to be servant leaders—with hearts tuned to Christ’s and lives shaped by daily surrender to the sacred path.

Today, Teresa becomes our spiritual leader. The Great Spirit continues to walk with us on this road as we re-commit ourselves to the Gospel…To peace, To joy, To justice, To tenderness, To walk humbly with our God.

Let our hearts sing with unrestrained joy.

Let us not be afraid—the Source of Life is among us.

Let us go forth and be a blessing.

Wherever we walk.

Wherever we are sent.

herever God leads.

May it be so. Amen.”

[+Bishop Jane Kryzanowski, presiding bishop]