Press Releases

June 28th, 2017

Over a dozen progressive Catholic organizations express disappointment over Bishop Paprocki’s decree

Over a dozen progressive Catholic organizations representing diversity within the Church signed a joint letter to Bishop Thomas Paprocki expressing disappointment over a decree he issued denying communion and funeral rites for same sex spouses. The groups—representing a broad coalition of feminist, LGBTQI and prochoice Catholic voices– called upon the bishop to unite fellow Catholics…
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May 5th, 2017

Women priests are not sinful, sexism and patriarchy are.

Kate McElwee: 607-725-1364 kmcelwee@womensordination.org Erin Saiz Hanna: 401-588-0457 ehanna@womensordination.org For Immediate Release: 5 May 2017 The Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) is dismayed by the comments released by David Hains, spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, regarding the ordination of Abigail Eltzroth. In his statement, Hains stated: “I hope that Catholics in the diocese will understand…
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November 12th, 2016

More seasons to come, more work to be done

In this moment in history, the Women’s Ordination Conference upholds our unwavering commitment to justice for all people. Our values of grassroots activism, radical inclusion, and feminist thought and action will empower our work forward as we work for a better Church and world for all. As Hillary Rodham Clinton said: “Let us not grow…
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November 1st, 2016

Patriarchy Will Not Have the Last Word

For Immediate Release: 1 November 2016 Contact:  Kate McElwee +1 607.725.1364 On the papal plane from Sweden to Rome, Pope Francis was asked by a journalist: “Is it realistic to think that there might be women priests in the next few decades?”   “On the Ordination of women in the Catholic church, the last word…
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October 23rd, 2016

International Catholic Priest Movements and Reform Groups Urge Church Progress on Key Issues during October meeting

For Immediate Release                                                                      October 21, 2016  Contacts: Deborah Rose-Milavec, FutureChurch – 513.673.1401 (c) 216.228.0869 (o), debrose@futurechurch Kate McElwee, Women’s Ordination Conference – 607-725-1364 (c), kmcelwee@womensordination.org Bob Bonnot, Association of U.S. Catholic Priests – 330-397-1257 (c), auscpbonnot@gmail.com From October 17 – 20, 2016, forty priests and lay persons from ten countries gathered in Chicago to develop strategies…
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August 2nd, 2016

WOC Responds: Pope Francis Names Scholars to Commission to Study Diaconate for Women

Kate McElwee: Italy (+39) 393-692-2100 kmcelwee@womensordination.org Erin Saiz Hanna: USA (+1) 401-588-0457 ehanna@womensordination.org For Immediate Release: 2 August 2016 Rome, Italy:  The Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) welcomes and is encouraged by Pope Francis’ gender-balanced and lay-inclusive appointments to study women deacons in the early Church, including U.S. expert and 2015 Women’s Ordination Worldwide presenter, Dr.…
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July 19th, 2016

Women’s Ordination Advocates to celebrate Feast Day of Mary Magdalene in Krakow

Miriam Duignan: UK miriam.duignan@wijngaardsinstitute.com Kate McElwee: Italy kmcelwee@womensordination.org Pat Brown: UK pat@patbrown-at.co.uk For Immediate Release: Women’s Ordination Worldwide (WOW) will celebrate the liturgical Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalene, now officially recognized as an “Apostle to the Apostles” and included in the General Roman Calendar for the first time this year. WOW advocates will gather…
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May 12th, 2016

Pope Francis Agrees to Open Commission to Study Diaconate for Women

Kate McElwee: Italy (+39) 393-692-2100 kmcelwee@womensordination.org Erin Saiz Hanna: USA (+1) 401-588-0457 ehanna@womensordination.org For Immediate Release: 12 May 2016 Pope Francis Agrees to Open Commission to Study Diaconate for Women Rome, Italy:  The Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) applauds the women religious of the International Union Superior Generals (UISG) for brazenly dialoguing with Pope Francis on…
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April 28th, 2016

Catholic groups call for restoring Hans Kung’s standing as a Catholic theologian and urge greater recognition for the pastoral role of theologians

Catholic groups commend Pope Francis for responding affirmatively to Hans Kung’s request for dialogue, call for restoring Kung’s standing as a Catholic theologian and urge greater recognition for the pastoral role of theologians FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2016 Contact(s): Gloria Ulterino, RAPPORT, 585.455.0389 (c) Janet Hauter, American Catholic Council, 847.366.2761 Bill Slavick, PAX Christi…
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April 8th, 2016

Women’s Ordination Worldwide Responds to Amoris Laetitia

For Immediate Release: 8 April 2016 Contact: Pat Brown: UK: (+44) (0)7950 048628 pat@patbrown-at.co.uk Miriam Duignan: UK (+44) (0)7970 926910 miriam.duignan@wijngaardsinstitute.com Kate McElwee: USA (+1) 607 725 1364 kmcelwee@womensordination.org Therese Koturbash: Canada (+1) 204 648 5720 t.m.koturbash@gmail.com Pope Francis’ exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, released today at the Vatican offers seeds of hope for a Church moving away…
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