Women’s Ordination Conference Sponsors Speaking Tour of Roman Catholic Woman Bishop Patricia Fresen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2006

NATIONAL CONTACT: Aisha Taylor, cell: (202) 422-2235, work: 703 352-1006, ataylor@womensordination.org

Women’s Ordination Conference Sponsors Speaking Tour of Roman Catholic Woman Bishop Patricia Fresen

Washington, D.C. – On Saturday, March 25th, Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC), the world’s oldest and largest Catholic organization working solely for women to be deacons, priests, and bishops and an inclusive priesthood, will kick off a five-city speaking tour of Bishop Patricia Fresen, woman bishop of Roman Catholic Womenpriests.

“We are proud to host Bishop Patricia Fresen as one of the pioneers of the women’s ordination movement,” stated Aisha Taylor, WOC’s Executive Director. “Bishop Fresen has taken the courageous step of ordination and leadership in a movement that is making waves in the Roman Catholic Church.”

The tour begins in Cincinnati on March 25th, the feast of the Annunciation and the 11th Annual World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination .  It is the day that Mary answered her call from God, and the day WOC joins with the global women’s ordination movement in organizing public witnesses, home liturgies, and presentations about women’s ordination. Bishop Fresen’s Speaking Tour continues in Lexington , KY on March 26 th, Cleveland, OH on March 27th, St. Louis, MO on April 1st, and Chicago, IL on April 2nd.

Bishop Fresen is a former Dominican nun from South Africa who currently lives and ministers in Germany.  She is one of three women validly (but illegally) ordained as a Roman Catholic bishop. She coordinates the Program of Preparation for Priesthood for Roman Catholic Womenpriests, in which 120 women are currently enrolled. She will be one of the three bishops presiding at the first U. S. ordination of Roman Catholic women in Pittsburgh in July 2006. 

Over 20 events will be celebrated throughout the U.S. for the World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination, including events in San Jose, CA, Pennsylvania, PA, Washington, D.C., and many more. Events will be celebrated around the world. To view a full list, visit www.womensordination.org/pages/WDOP/WDOP06Events.

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Founded in 1975, the Women’s Ordination Conference works for equality in all dimensions of life and ministry in the Catholic Church, including women’s ordination and a renewed priesthood. For more information, visit www.womensordination.org.

LOCAL CONTACTS:

Cincinnati: Ruth Steinert Foote, home: 513-771-0629, cell: 513-604-0170, RhSteinert@aol.com

Lexington: Janice Sevre-Duszynska, home: (859) 223-9611, cell: (859) 684-4247, rhythmsofthedance@msn.com

Cleveland: Evelyn Hunt, home: (216) 795-4264, cell: (216) 408-8347, ev7hunt@att.net

St. Louis: Gerry Rauch, home: (314) 664-5770, cell: (314) 495-4363, Gerrauch@gmail.com

Chicago: Laura Singer, 773 736-2562, lts72@aol.com