FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2007

CONTACT: Nidza Vázquez: (703) 352-1006, nvázquez@womensordination.org Bridget Mary Meehan: 703 283-2929 cell, 703 671-1972 office

Ordained Catholic women and advocates present a new vision of church while U.S. bishops meet

BALTIMORE, MD - November 7 - Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) and the Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP) will host an event on November 12, in Baltimore, Md., at 1:00 p.m. in the Stony Run Friends Meeting House, 5116 North Charles Street, while the U.S. bishops hold their bi-annual conference. Andrea Johnson, RCWP and former executive director of WOC, will preside at an inclusive eucharistic prayer service, and a panel discussion will follow. WOC has been demonstrating for women’s ordination at each of the bishops’ bi-annual meetings since 2000.

“This event will bring the church one step closer to better reflecting the values of Jesus’ ministry, where women held undeniable positions of leadership,” stated Aisha Taylor, executive director of WOC. “In fact, in all four gospels, Mary Magdalene was named as the primary witness to the most central event of the Christian faith — the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

For thirty-two years, WOC has advocated women's ordination in the Catholic Church, with the mission of bringing about structural change and creating a more accountable and inclusive church.

“We are reclaiming our ancient spiritual heritage and shaping an inclusive Christ-centered discipleship of equals, where all are welcome,” stated Bridget Mary Meehan, representative of RCWP. “We are focusing on living out our call and ministry instead of asking for the Vatican’s approval.”

The Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement is building a new model of priestly ministry for a renewed Church, based on union with the people they serve, so as to achieve the full equality of women and men. Women priests remind us that women are equal symbols of the holy and that the identity of priest should reflect the experiences of women.

“We will amplify the voices of the 64 percent of U.S. Catholics who support women’s ordination. As the law of the Roman Catholic Church requires of us, we will express our opinions and share our vision of a revitalized church with the bishops,” concluded Taylor.

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Founded in 1975, the Women’s Ordination Conference is the oldest and largest national organization working solely for women’s inclusion in all ordained ministries and for an inclusive Catholic Church. For more information, visit www.womensordination.org.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests North America spiritually prepares, ordains, and supports women and men who are theologically qualified and committed to an inclusive model of Roman Catholic Church. For more information, visit www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org.