Recent WATER Offerings
First Female Archbishop of Canterbury a Bittersweet Moment for Catholic Women
Mary E. Hunt’s Latest Article
“Our cheers were for Archbishop Sarah, but also for our peers who minister despite excommunication and patriarchal stupidity.” – Mary E. Hunt
What Catholic Feminists Are Saying about the Pope vs Trump Debate
Dr. Kwok Pui Lan speaks with Dr. Mary Hunt to explore the reactions of American Catholics that aren’t making it into the mainstream media. Mary articulates feminist concerns about the Pope’s positions rarely heard in public discourse.
Upcoming Programs
Women of Dignity and WATER Quarterly Meeting
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 11:30 AM ET
“Catholic Lesbians and Queer Women Look at Women’s Ordination— Roles, Contributions, and Expansive Options”
Marsie Silvestro, a non-profit organizational development consultant, minister and spiritual director in Santa Fe, NM, and Victoria Rue, a Roman Catholic Woman Priest, theatre writer/director, and retired lecturer in Comparative Religious Studies at San Jose State University will lead off a conversation. They will join Dignity’s Marianne Duddy Burke and WATER’s Diann Neu and Mary E. Hunt reflecting on lesbian/queer women in the movement for Catholic women’s ordination.
*This event is open to all Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer Women as well as those identifying as Nonbinary/Gender Expansive and all our women friends.
Register by email Dignitywomen@gmail.com
WATERmeditation
Monday, May 11, 2026, 7:30 PM ET
“A Time for Compassion”
with Cynthia Tootle
On February 28, 2026, a Tomahawk missile launched from a U.S. ship killed an estimated 150 elementary schoolgirls in Iran. Whatever the intent, that was the outcome. When Rev. Cynthia Tootle, ordained interfaith minister and associate minister at the Takoma Metaphysical Chapel, struggled to cope with that reality, the Bodhisattva Kwan Yin came to her with a healing process of compassion which she will share with us.
Image by Dora Alis
Feminist Liberation Theologians’ Meetings
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 1 PM ET and 7 PM (NOTE times below!!)*
“War Solves Nothing; Feminists Create Peace”
Our mid-year meeting is a chance for conversation. Join either (or both) of two sessions—on May 13 at 1 PM ET or on May 13 at 7 PM ET to add your voice during this bellicose period.
Dire as the reports from around the world were at our November 2025 in-person meeting in Boston, we did not anticipate that the Iraq-U.S./Israel war would be added to the Ukraine/Russia and Gaza/Israel battles. Now, we must grapple with what that and all wars mean. Our feminist religious voices and practices offer hope. Join colleagues to gain perspective, solidarity, and feminist liberation ways forward.
*NOTE: There will be two sessions to accommodate the wide range of time zones in which we live. 1 PM ET in DC is 10 AM in LA, 6 PM in Dublin, 7 PM in Germany all on May 13. Similarly, but with a twist, 7 PM in DC, 6 PM in Quito, etc. but 9 AM MAY 14 in Sydney.
This is an experiment to see how we do as we try to include many! Please attend. More details to follow.
WATERritual
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 7.30 PM ET
“Celebrate Beauty”
with Diann L. Neu and the WATER Community
The beauty of the cosmos surrounds all of humanity, especially during midspring May (November in the south). In the north, we celebrate May Day and Beltane on May 1. The month is for Mary, and other May Queens to honor those who bring forth life. The Earth is warming again and the sun grows stronger. Beauty exists for all creation to notice, delight in, and give praise to our Creator. Join us to celebrate beauty.
WATER in the Media
Introducing “Kwok’n Roll” – The Podcast That Sparks Bold Conversations!
Join the incredible Kwok Pui Lan as she kicks off her highly anticipated podcast, Kwok’n Roll! In each episode, Kwok Pui Lan dives deep into captivating conversations with some of the brightest minds of our time—trailblazing intellectuals, fearless religious leaders, passionate activists, and groundbreaking artists. Together, they explore the pressing political, cultural, and religious issues shaping our world today, all while examining the vital role people of faith play in these pivotal conversations. Listen to the podcast on Podbean.
What Catholic Feminists Are Saying about the Pope vs Trump Debate
Dr. Kwok Pui Lan speaks with Mary E. Hunt
The debate between Pope Leo XIV and Trump over the Iran conflict has put American Catholics in a difficult position. Many back the Pope’s call for peace — but does that mean we should defer to him on all moral issues?
Is Pope Leo XIV progressive on war and peace, yet conservative on gender? And what do we make of JD Vance warning the Pope to “be careful” when speaking on morality?
Dr. Kwok Pui Lan speaks with Dr. Mary Hunt — co-director of the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Rituals and a longtime Catholic feminist activist — to explore the reactions of American Catholics that aren’t making it into the mainstream media. Mary articulates feminist concerns about the Pope’s positions rarely heard in public discourse.
They also discuss Mary’s reaction to Archbishop Sarah Mullally’s installation as the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion — and her upcoming meeting with the Pope to pray for peace.
Canadian Broadcasting Cooperation (CBC) Interview:
In an interview with the CBC, feminist theologian Mary E. Hunt urged urgent reform of the papal election process. Co-founder of the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER), Hunt explained that the process lacks transparency and needs to be more inclusive. With concern growing about Pope Francis’ health, she stressed the importance of including a far more diverse group of electors, including young people and women. She also commented on the movie “Conclave” lest viewers think they know much more about the secret process. Women were portrayed accurately in the movie as only one had real voice. Surely change is needed.
Intern at WATER
Be a Part of an Action-based Community
Become a WATER Intern
for Winter or Spring!
WATER welcomes students from seminaries, universities, colleges, volunteer programs, and more to work in the WATER office.
Interns at WATER engage in the full range of activities from office work to program planning. They learn how a small non-profit is run and what it takes to nurture an Alliance.
Those wishing to do their own research will have a chance to utilize WATER’s constantly growing Resource Center as well as consult with our experienced staff through in-house seminars.
Interns must commit to a minimum of six weeks and can stay as long as a year or two. The internship is an on-site internship at the WATER office in Silver Spring, MD. All participants are encouraged to apply for academic credit from their home institutions for their work at WATER. We are delighted to work with programs that sponsor volunteers with expenses shared by WATER as the on-site placement.
What is WATER? 40 Years and Forward!
Connect with the WATER Community!
Stay updated with WATER news, events, programs and more!
Land Acknowledgement
WATER, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, acknowledges that it sits on the traditional and contemporary homeland of the Piscataway and Nacotchtank (sometimes known as the Anacostan) people, the original stewards of this land.
We are committed to lifting up the names of these lands and the community members from these nations who reside alongside us and who were here long before we were. We affirm WATER’s intention to promote healing, respect, and love for all people through our work, with special indebtedness to Native people whose lands we are privileged to share.