December 2, 2003
1. Apply for the WOC Scholarship
2. Join the "Open Conclave"
1. Bishop Frank Murphy Scholarship
WOC is once again accepting applications for the Bishop
Frank Murphy Scholarship for Women in Ministry. The scholarship fund,
established in 1999 at the bequest of Bishop Murphy, promotes WOC's commitment
to an inclusive Catholic Church by supporting women preparing for ministry.
WOC will be awarding $1000 scholarships for the 2004-2005 academic year,
to female students enrolled in graduate programs preparing for Catholic
ministry.
For details about the scholarship
and application process, visit:
www.womensordination.org/pages/projects_pages/projects_scholor.html
2. Participate in the “Open Conclave”
sponsored by the Women-Church Convergence
Discussion surrounding the Pope's ill health and eventual death needs
to focus not so much on his successor as on the very model of church that
Catholics want. Women-Church Convergence, a coalition of forty-two Catholic-rooted
feminist organizations (of which WOC is a member) favors a "discipleship
of equals," a democratic, egalitarian community of justice-seekers.
In such a church, leadership is shared, women and men alike take responsibility
for decision-making, and centralized authority is replaced by various
manifestations of unity of which the papacy may be one.
Rather than convene a conclave on the occasion of the Pope's
death, Women-Church Convergence urges the development of forward looking
strategies for a 21st century community of faith. To that end, Women-Church
Convergence announces the opening of a web site dedicated to discussing
leadership in a discipleship of equals. The “Open Conclave”
invites widespread participation, involves all who wish to take part,
and expects respectful listening to different views.
To join in this unique discussion, go to:
www.women-churchconvergence.org/conclave/index.htm
*** This ACTION ALERT E-MAIL is from the Women's Ordination
Conference. Send comments, e-mail address changes, or information for
future ACTION ALERTS to grassroots@womensordination.org.
For more information about WOC and how to become a WOC member, visit www.womensordination.org.
***
