MEDIA ADVISORY

For immediate release: March 1, 2006

Contact: Aisha Taylor, 703- 352-1006, ataylor@womensordination.org

Catholics Call for Women Priests on Annual World Day of Prayer

Washington, D.C. – On Saturday, March 25, 2006, Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC), the nation’s oldest and leading Catholic reform organization working for women’s ordination, will sponsor local events across North America to celebrate the 11th Annual World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination with the theme “Good Catholic Girls Stand Up for Women’s Ordination.”

"We are providing an outlet of expression for the majority of U.S. Catholics who support women’s ordination and renewal of the Roman Catholic Church," stated Aisha Taylor, WOC’s Executive Director. "By organizing events in communities throughout the U.S., we are affirming women’s call to priesthood and challenging sexism and all forms of oppression within the Church."

Every year on March 25th, the feast of the Annunciation, WOC joins the global women’s ordination movement in celebrating the World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination. WOC helps local leaders across the U.S. plan public witnesses, home liturgies, and presentations about women’s ordination.

Due to the work many Catholic women are doing, and the popularity of Angela Bonavoglia’s book, Good Catholics Girls, published by Harper Collins/Regan Books, the definition of “good Catholic girls” is changing, and people worldwide are counting the progressive women working for church renewal among them. With this in mind, we chose “Good Catholic Girls Stand Up for Women’s Ordination” as the theme for the 11 th Annual World Day of Prayer.

The theme also reflects the courageous actions of people who are “standing up for women’s ordination” every Sunday! In at least one parish in Washington, D.C., people stand to bring attention to the fact that women are banned from ordination for no reason. In addition, WOC is gathering stories of how people across the country are publicly demonstrating their support for women’s ordination.

“The priest shortage continues to intensify, yet the Vatican turns away women willing to serve as priests to communities that suffer and hunger for physical and spiritual nourishment,” Taylor continued. “We will stand up and say women are called to serve God’s people -- let them.”

Events will take place in cities throughout the U.S., including Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, Lexington, KY, Birch Run, MI, Washington, DC and many more. For an updated list of events, visit www.womensordination.org.

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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 to a renewed priestly ministry. www.womensordination.org