Links

Women’s Ordination Organizations

Women’s Ordination Worldwide (WOW)  WOW is the global organization of the women’s ordination movement whose mission is to promote worldwide the ordination of Roman Catholic women to a renewed priestly ministry in a democratic church, and to stand in solidarity with women who are ordained in the ongoing renewal of the church. Read more about the origins of WOW by clicking here.

Women Priests Internet Library: The case for ordaining women in the Catholic Church  This is the largest international website on women’s ordination. A treasure trove of information, the site features information in 30 languages. It also hosts Circles, an on-line forum that offers the opportunity to engage in world-wide dialogue on the issue. The group that maintains the site is based in the U.K.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Women’s Ordination Conference  SEPAWOC is a chapter of WOC located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP) USA and Canada  This site features the history of the North American ordinations, the vision and structure of this group, prayers and litugies, a photo gallery, and a news section. The site is written in English.  Learn more about the beginnings of RCWP here.

RCWP Europe (formerly the Danube Group)  This site documents each communication between the Vatican and the seven women ordained on the Danube River on June 29, 2002. Although most of the site is in German, there are portions in English.

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP)  Ordained women who live and minister in the United States and South America. We prepare and ordain qualified women to serve the people of God as priests. We use equal rites to promote rights to achieve justice for women in the church.

B.A.S.I.C. BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST  An Irish based network of women and men who support women’s vocations to a renewed priestly ministry and work to bring about the ordination of women to the Roman Catholic Church.

Catholic Network for Women’s EqualityBased in Canada, Catholic Network for Women’s Equality (CNWE) fosters solidarity among women by celebrating the contributions of women to the church and working towards full inclusion of women in all aspects of prayer and ministry, including ordained ministry.

Catholic Women’s Ordination  Founded in 1993 in the U.K., CWO is dedicated to the support for ordaining women in the Catholic Church. It is a movement campaigning within the church for inclusivity and the radical transformation of kyriarchal structures. They call for women’s perspectives to enrich the church’s thinking and for women’s gifts to enrich its ministry. CWO also began the Action Purple Stole; read more here.

Ordination of Catholic Women (OCW) is an Australian network of women and men who support women’s ordination.

Women of the New Covenant is an Australian missionary community praying and working for the ordination of women in the Catholic Church.

Coalitions

Women’s Ordination Worldwide (WOW) is the global organization of the women’s ordination movement whose mission is to promote worldwide the ordination of Roman Catholic women to a renewed priestly ministry in a democratic church, and to stand in solidarity with women who are ordained in the ongoing renewal of the church. Read more about the origins of WOW by clicking here.

Women-Church Convergence (W-CC) is a coalition of autonomous Catholic-rooted organizations raising a feminist voice and committed to an ekklesia of women which is participative, egalitarian and self-governing.

Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR) is a coalition of Catholic groups, inspired by Vatican II, to further the reform and renewal of the Catholic Church, and to bring about a world of justice and peace, reflecting the sacredness of all creation.

National Catholic Ministries Alliance (NCMA) is committed to enable and nurture inclusive Roman Catholic ministries of women and men, women priests and married priests, committed to the work of Vatican II reform and renewal. NCMA members are CORPUS, Federation of Christian Ministries (Roman Catholic Faith Community Council), Women’s Ordination Conference and Roman Catholic Womenpriests.

International Movement We Are Church (IMWAC) was found on November 23, 1996, during the first international meeting We Are Church representatives in Rome. IMWAC developed the 1996 “We Are Church Referendum” which gathered millions of signatures around the world.

International Federation for a Renewed Catholic Ministry is one of several International Federations of married Catholic priests, motivated by a desire to be of service to the Christian community which is now suffering from a grave crisis of a shortage of priests. At present there are four such Federations — the Latin American, the Philippine, and the North Atlantic and the European. 

Catholic Women’s Organizations

Conference for Catholic Lesbians is an online support and spiritual community for women who seek to integrate their lesbian and Catholic identity in their lives. They also offer information and resources of particular interest to Catholic lesbians.

Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) is a feminist educational center, a network of justice-seeking people responding to the need for theological, ethical, and liturgical development for and by women.

Catholic Church Reform Organizations

Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) was founded in 1980 by lay and clerical Catholics in the wake of Vatican condemnations of such theologians as Edward Schillebeeckx, Jacques Pohier, and Hans Küng. The Association affirms that there are fundamental rights and corresponding responsibilities which are rooted in the humanity and baptism of all Catholics.

Call To Action USA (CTA) is an independent national organization of over 25,000 people and 40 local organizations who believe the Spirit of God is at work in the whole church, not just in its appointed leaders.

Catholics For Choice (CFC), an independent not-for-profit organization, is engaged in research, policy analysis, education, and advocacy on issues of gender equality and reproductive health.

Catholics Speak Out, a project of the Quixote Center, encourages reform in the Roman Catholic Church and adult responsibility for faith. In particular, the project works towards equality and justice within the Church and dialogue between the laity and hierarchy on issues of sexuality, sexual orientation and reproduction.

CORPUS is the Association for an Inclusive Priesthood, which rooted in a strong Eucharistic commitment, promotes an expanded and renewed priesthood of married and single men and women in the Catholic Church.

Dignity/USA is the largest and most progressive national lay movement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Catholics, their families, and their friends.

FutureChurch is a national coalition of parish-based Catholics who seek the full participation of all baptized Catholics in the life of the Church. Inspired by Vatican II, FutureChurch recognizes that Eucharistic Celebration (the Mass) is the core of Roman Catholic worship and sacramental life. FutureChurch advocates that this celebration be available universally and at least weekly to all baptized Catholics.

New Ways Ministry provides a gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for lesbian and gay Catholics and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities.

Save Our Sacrament is a ministry to annulment-respondents and their children.

Spiritus Christi is a Catholic Community in Rochester, NY where “all are welcome.”

We Are Church YOUTH is a network of teens and young adults, who are working for the renewal of the Roman-Catholic church. Inspired by the Second Vatican Council, they want to inform young people about the reform movements in the Catholic Church. Their work is based upon the five points of the 1996 “We Are Church Referendum” which gathered millions of signatures around the world.

Catholic Peace & Justice Organizations

 

Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center is a coalition of faith-based organizations and individuals who work together to educate around justice issues, take collaborative action and do public witness.

8th Day Center for Justice envisions a world of right relationships where all creation is sacred and interconnected. With Christian Faith, we work for structural change towards creation of a more just world.

Pax Christi USA is the national Catholic peace movement of 14,000 members who are committed to the gospel imperative of seeking peace through nonviolence.

Mary’s Pence envisions women in solidarity across the Americas, living with dignity in vibrant local communities, sharing resources for the common good, empowered by sustainable economic opportunities that create just societies so that all creation flourishes. For over 25 years, Mary’s Pence has invested in projects that support women’s well-being – physical, social and economic , looking for models that foster women working together, to enhance learning, mutual support and creativity.

 Additional Christian Resources

A Baptismal Rite for the 21st Century” created by Mary Theresa Streck for the Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community in Albany, New York.

Christians For Biblical Equality is a non-profit organization that seeks to further belief in the equality of women and men of all races, ethnic, economic, and age groups.

The Crossroad Publishing Company is an ongoing leader in spiritual, religious, and cultural publishing with excellent books that offer a forum for the continuing conversation among Christians.

Bridget Mary Meehan’s Blog: Bridget Mary updates her blog daily with Catholic news and the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests’ movement.

Evangelical and Ecumenical Women’s Caucus is an international organization of women and men who believe that the Bible supports the equality of the sexes. They are Christian feminists and inclusive of all.

Federation of Christian Ministries is a meeting ground for people of varying faith traditions and spiritualities. FCM “celebrates new ministries for a new millennium”

The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women advocates for the transformation of the ministers of the church to mirror the inclusive people of God.

Global Ministries University Whether you are beginning a University career or if you are seeking an advanced degree, Global Ministries University’s programs provide you with innovative techniques in approaching your educational goals. The bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered at Global Ministries University allow students to gain the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies needed to prepare them for productive careers and future academic endeavors.

Koinonia Catholic Community is an Intentional Eucharistic Community, Catholic in tradition and Ecumenical in membership, that gathers weekly to celebrate Eucharist in Portland, Oregon. Pastor Peggy Friedl-Yee is active in the women’s ordination movement and the community has a long history of strong leadership roles for women.