FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2006

CONTACT: Nidza Vazquez, work: 703 352-1006, nvazquez@womensordination.org

The Da Vinci Code raises questions about
women’s role in the Catholic Church

Washington, D.C. – This week, the movie version of Dan Brown’s best-selling book, The Da Vinci Code, will be released in theaters worldwide, and Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC), a national organization working solely for women to be priests in a renewed Catholic Church, supports the questions the book raises about Mary Magdalene and the role of women in the church.

“The Da Vinci Code is important because, for millions of people around the world, it has dispelled the myth that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute,” stated Aisha Taylor, WOC’s Executive Director. “This myth was created and perpetuated for hundreds of years by church leaders. The answers Dan Brown provides about Mary Magdalene may not be correct, but the questions the movie raises will intensify discussion about women’s roles in Jesus’ ministry and in the Roman Catholic Church."

“It is not surprising that the Vatican and other conservative Catholic groups have reacted so strongly against the book and upcoming movie. In a church that does not ordain women or married men for no valid reason, the popularity of a story that says Jesus was married and that calls our attention to the feminine aspects of God is intimidating, to say the least,” Taylor said.

“One of the main reasons the Vatican says women cannot be priests is because Jesus did not chose any female apostles. However, Mary Magdalene is often called ‘the Apostle to the Apostles’ because, in all four gospels, Mary served a valuable role in Jesus’ ministry. She stayed at his side during his crucifixion when the male apostles fled, and Jesus appeared to her first after his resurrection. In addition, the Bible names many female leaders in the early church: Mary the mother of Jesus, Martha, Joanna, Salome, Lydia, Phoebe, and more.

“The other reason the Vatican says women cannot be ordained is because Jesus was a man, so women cannot represent him on the altar. However, the risen Christ is not limited to physical form. And, in Genesis 1:26-27, it says both women and men were created in the image of God, so women should be able to represent Jesus Christ on the altar," Taylor said.

WOC represents the majority of U.S. Catholics who support women’s ordination and renewal of the Roman Catholic Church. WOC works for women to be priests by organizing prayerful protests outside the U.S. bishops' meetings and other Catholic events. These prayerful demonstrations bring public attention to the fact that women do not have a place in the decision making bodies of the church. WOC also supports women who feel God’s call to priesthood and serves as a resource for women who are being ordained in prophetic Catholic communities.

“In this time of priest shortage, the Vatican continues to turn away women willing to serve as priests in communities that suffer and hunger for physical and spiritual nourishment,” Taylor concluded.

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Founded in 1975, Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) is the world’s oldest and largest national organization working for women to be ordained as priests, deacons and bishops in a renewed Catholic Church. WOC’s comprehensive website is www.womensordination.org.