Women’s Ordination Conference supports penalized Roman Catholic woman priest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2006

CONTACTS: Nidza Vázquez: office: 703 352-1006

Women’s Ordination Conference supports penalized Roman Catholic woman priest  

Washington, D.C. – This week’s Pittsburgh Catholic features the announcement that Joan Houk, who was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in Pittsburgh on July 31, has automatically incurred the penalty of interdict. This penalty means that Houk cannot take part in the life of the church and cannot receive the sacraments. Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) supports Houk for her brave actions and her flourishing ministry.

“We support Joan because she is working to return the Roman Catholic Church back to the example that Jesus provided, where women preached the gospel and served as prominent leaders,” stated Aisha Taylor, WOC’s Executive Director. “Joan is filling a vital role in our church and society—she is serving the spiritual needs of the people.”

Houk did not receive a letter from the diocese about the announcement.

“I have to read about myself in the newspaper, just like everyone else!” Houk explained. “ It doesn’t bother me that much; I knew the consequences of my actions when I took this step (of ordination). I have huge support in Pittsburgh. I will be celebrating a Mass at my home this weekend, and next weekend I will be preaching at a United Church of Christ. The female minister at a Presbyterian Church has offered me great hospitality, and I will be preaching there a couple of times a month. I feel very supported by the community.”

“The hierarchy’s position against women’s ordination ignores its own scholarship,” Taylor stated. “In 1976, a group of theologians commissioned by the Vatican found no Scriptural reason to ban women’s ordination. The recent scholarship of theologian and archaeologist Dorothy Irvin has found mosaics, frescoes, and many other artifacts that depict women serving as priests, deacons and bishops in the early church. Joan, and thousands like her, are calling our church to live up to its potential and fully include women in all aspects of life and ministry in the Roman Catholic Church.”

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Founded in 1975, Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) is a national Catholic organization working for women’s justice and equality in the Roman Catholic Church, including women’s ordination to a renewed priesthood. For more information, visit www.womensordination.org.