Resisting Orders brings to the forefront the little-known stories of Catholic sisters in Ontario who resisted religious authority and societal expectations that clashed with their values of feminism, justice, and inclusion. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 32 sisters and former sisters who entered the Church between 1937 and 1985, the authors uncover the nuanced, courageous — and at times painful — ways these women pushed back against silence, subordination, and injustice.
Rather than portraying Catholic sisters as passive or deferential, the book highlights their bold actions and critical voices on topics including:
the criminalization of women’s ordination,
clerical abuse,
reproductive rights,
and the Church’s rejection of 2SLGBTQI+ people.
At a time when the Catholic Church faces growing calls for accountability and reform, Resisting Orders explores what it means to stay, speak out, and fight for change from inside a system that often resists it.
It’s a compelling read for scholars of religion, feminism, social movements, and anyone interested in how individuals push back against institutional power while holding onto their faith and values.
The authors thank uOttawa’s Faculty of Social Sciences for its support through the Always Be Closing grant, which helped bring this book to publication.
Learn more or order the book via McGill-Queen’s University Press.