Press Releases

For Immediate Release: September 17, 2020 Fr. Tony Flannery is long-time friend and ally of Women’s Ordination Worldwide (WOW) and today we stand in solidarity with him as he resists the Vatican’s attempts to punish him for his advocacy for women’s equality and ordination in the Catholic Church.     In drawing attention to the tragic…
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August 18, 2020 Fifteen leading organizations headed by “progressive feminist Catholics” have issued an Open Letter to Catholic Voters and All Voters for Justice, calling on voters to “stem the tide of injustice and usher in a new era of equality.” They say the letter responds to “[t]he need for action beyond words” given current…
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Washington, D.C.: As the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles, a special “resurrection garden” of signs calling for women’s ordination and gender equality appeared on the grounds of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the  U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops. Similar “gardens”…
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The Women’s Ordination Conference is pleased to announce the results of a new survey of Catholic women ages 21-40 who have earned or are pursuing a higher degree in ministry or related studies.   Funded by the Louisville Institute, this study was conducted by WOC Executive Director, Kate McElwee, and Program Associate, Katie Lacz, to explore the…
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The Women’s Ordination Conference denounces white supremacy and the systemic violence of racism. We stand unequivocally with those who are marginalized, silenced, or discriminated against, and work to transform oppressive structures of domination, inequality, imperialism, and racism. We denounce police violence. We grieve and mourn alongside the families and communities – especially the black community…
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April 8, 2020 The Women’s Ordination Conference welcomes the news of the appointment of a new Vatican commission studying the ordination of women deacons. This announcement comes 165 days after Pope Francis’ remarks at the close of the Synod of Bishops on the Amazon region, when he committed to further study on the topic: “I…
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In celebration of International Women’s Day, Catholic women are initiating a global strike from Church participation, attendance, and financial contributions throughout the month of May.  Organized by a network of 12 progressive Catholic organizations, the Catholic Women Strike campaign will begin on May 3rd, the “World Day of Prayer for Vocations,” and will nonviolently disrupt…
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New York: As women unite worldwide for International Women’s Day (March 8), Catholic women’s ordination advocates will march from the United Nations to the steps of New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral to demonstrate that women’s rights should not end at the steps of our churches. Singing a revised version of the classic labor rights song…
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Rome, 13 February 2020  Yesterday the post-synodal exhortation “Querida Amazonia” was published. With great sensitivity, it discussed the problems of poverty, exploitation, cultural colonization, migration and environmental degradation the Amazonia region is currently facing. It encouraged dialogue and appreciation of the unique contribution of the indigenous peoples to the shape of the universal Church. What…
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For Immediate Release: 12 February 2020 Querida Amazonia, Pope Francis’ post-synodal exhortation released today, outlines four “dreams” for the Church and the environment, leaving women and their dreams to the footnotes of the document and his papacy. With Querida Amazonia, the Pope is willfully turning his back on the calls of women for recognition of…
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