Women's Ordination Conference

The uncompromising feminist voice for women’s ordination and gender equity in the Roman Catholic Church since 1975

Our collective vision is a Roman Catholic Church that affirms women’s gifts, responds by calling them to ministry and ordination, openly and actively supports women’s voices, and reflects the example of Jesus—welcoming all to the table.

Our statement on the passing of Pope Francis

The Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) joins Catholics around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, as reported by the Vatican early this morning. We extend our heartfelt condolences and hold in prayer the global church during this time of grief and transition. His death is a profound loss for the church and the world.

Pope Francis brought a refreshing and deeply pastoral presence to the papacy, emphasizing mercy, dialogue, and accompaniment, and providing a renewed focus on the church’s mission to serve the most marginalized. Pope Francis worked to bring the church in better alignment with the pastoral realities around the world, especially through his outreach to the LGBTQ+ community.

Read our statement

WOC is a grassroots-driven movement that promotes activism, dialogue, and prayerful witness to call for women’s full equality in the Church. 

Our Campaigns

Save the date! 

We are the people who get to celebrate 
 the 50th anniversary of the
Women’s Ordination Conference!

Together we will embark on a pilgrimage to Detroit, Michigan to honor the feminist thought-leadership of our 1975 landmark gathering and energize our movement for the future. We’re ready for our bold, creative, and audacious witness to grow from its strong roots and fully realize ordination justice and equality in our church. And we want you there!

Learn more and get involved!

Our message to the Vatican: Don’t Kick the Can… Women Can be Priests

Watch the video!

As the synod opened, WOC and international partners held a coloful and noisy witness with a direct message for the Vatican: “Don’t kick the can down the road; women can be priests.”

Learn more about our synod efforts in Rome
Lent 2025: Catholic Women Strike!

Ordinary Time is over.

This global witness for equality during Lent is an invitation to withdraw from systems of oppression and prepare the way for renewal and transformation.

Learn more about Catholic Women Strike

GLOBAL »

WOC is an NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2019. 

WITNESS »

The Wildflowers of the Grassroots is our network of committed and passionate advocates of ordination justice whose diverse gifts and efforts create a beautiful field in which our dreams of a renewed church can flourish.

PRAY »

The language we use to worship and celebrate God matters. This Lectionary project affirms and empowers Christians to model radical equality and inclusion. 

EMPOWER »

Meet our scholarship awardees and apply for this unique scholarship for women and nonbinary people discerning ordination.

Our Synod Report 

We believe in the inclusive promise of the synodal process, and have actively encouraged our members to engage in authentic ways, both in their parishes and in our listening sessions. The integrity and impact of the synod will depend on the radical inclusion and welcome of often marginalized voices into courageous conversations, just like ours.

Read our synod report and summarySee our synod listening phase toolsThe Vatican included WOC on their websiteRead WOC Executive Director’s opinion piece in the National Catholic ReporterWomen’s Ordination and Synodality: A Conversation at Sacred Heart University

Why ordain women?

It is one of the most simple and yet profound questions we can answer as a movement. 

Watch the videoWomen’s Ordination 101