A group of women marched on St. Peter's Square on Tuesday demanding that the Vatican open the way for women to be ordained as priests.

The women, representing half a dozen Catholic reform groups, marched on the square holding signs saying "Ordain Catholic Women" and other slogans before police asked them to leave.

"We denounce the injustice of prohibiting women from being ordained," said Erin Saiz Hanna, executive director of the U.S.-based Women's Ordination Conference, of the effort.

"For far too long, only ordained, male, celibate clergy have dictated -or tried to dictate- how Catholics worship, pray and make decisions," she added.

The demonstration comes on the eve of a three day rally in the Catholic Church marking the end of the "Year for Priests."

While meant to be a joyous celebration, the rally has been overshadowed by the clerical sex abuse scandal that continues to mar the church's reputation.

Hanna was also critical of the church's handling of the abuse scandal, saying that "the Vatican is all too happy to turn a blind eye when men in its ranks destroy the lives of children and families, but jumps at the chance to excommunicate women who are doing good works and responding to injustice and the needs of their communities."

"While the hierarchy spends their time covering up scandals and throwing major celebrations for themselves, Catholic women are working for justice and making a positive difference in the world," she added, noting that many Catholic lay women serve the church with "paltry pay, no job security, and little recognition."

Delegates from support groups for abuse victims are also in Rome for the celebration, where it is rumored that Pope Benedict XVI will give an apology for the decades of molestation committed and covered up by Catholic priests.

Peter Isley of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests says that while some victims are skeptical about what the pope will say, others believe the announcement could "change the future of the Catholic Church forever," according to NPR.

"There is the other Pope Benedict, and this is the one we are hopeful about, the one that said there is no forgiveness without justice," he said.