Quick Facts
Biography
Elizabeth Jane Via is a California lawyer and one of 32 (as of August 2008) women ordained in the Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP) movement. RCWP is not sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church, which considers ordination of women a violation of its canon law and invalid.
In 1984 she was one of 97 theologians and religious persons who signed A Catholic Statement on Pluralism and Abortion, calling for religious pluralism and discussion within the Catholic Church regarding the Church's position on abortion. 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at organizations affiliated with the official Roman Catholic Church, but her invitations to speak have sometimes been revoked.
Via is also an attorney with the San Diego District Attorney's office. In 1991 she was one of the county's attorneys in the case of Alicia Wade.