Press Releases

For Immediate Release: 27 October 2018 The XV Ordinary Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment approved a final document calling the inclusion of women in decision-making structures a “duty of justice” and recommending “making everyone more aware of the urgency of an inescapable change.” The Women’s Ordination Conference applauds the Synod’s…
Read more

In light of the continued denial of a right to vote for women participating in the upcoming Synod on Youth, the Faith Life, and Vocational Discernment, we are happy to collaborate with our Italian sisters—Donne per la Chiesa— and with Catholic Women Speak in writing a letter to those women who have been invited to participate…
Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 21, 2018 Women’s Ordination Worldwide (WOW) acknowledges the Vatican took a significant step toward building a more synodal church by replacing the 1965 Synod of Bishops’ constitution, “Episcopalis Communio,” to officially allow non-ordained persons to participate as voting members. Yet, even when the letter of the law is changed to be…
Read more

MEDIA ADVISORY As Catholic bishops worldwide convene in Rome in October for the month-long “Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment,” Women’s Ordination Conference and supporters of women’s equality and church reform will gather to raise up the voices of women missing from the all-male gathering. Two alternative events will demonstrate that there…
Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director, DignityUSA, 617-669-7810 (mobile), execdir@dignityusa.org Zach Johnson, Executive Director, Call to Action, 773-988-2352, zach@cta-usa.orgKate McElwee, Executive Director, Women’s Ordination Conference, 607-725-1364 (USA), +39 393 692 2100 (Italy) kmcelwee@womensordination.org Deborah Rose-Milavec, Executive Director, FutureChurch, (mobile) 513-673-1401, (office) 216-228-0869 debrose@futurechurch.orgUS and Rome: Catholics in eight cities nationwide will witness this weekend (September 8, 9, and 10) outside…
Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contacts: Kate McElwee, Executive Director, Women’s Ordination Conference 607-725-1364 (USA), +39 393 692 2100 (Italy) kmcelwee@womensordination.org Zach Johnson, Executive Director, Call to Action 773-988-2352, zach@cta-usa.org Deborah Rose-Milavec, Executive Director, FutureChurch (mobile) 513-673-1401, (office) 216-228-0869 debrose@futurechurch.org Catholics Fired Up: “Time’s Up: We Demand Truth”   United States and Rome: On September 8 and 9,…
Read more

August 2, 2018 For Immediate Release Three Catholic reform organizations, Call To Action, FutureChurch and Women’s Ordination Conference, are joining their voices in solidarity with the many women religious who came forward this week with accusations of sexual assault by clergy. “Catholics everywhere owe a debt of gratitude to these sisters, who at great risk…
Read more

For Immediate Release: June 23, 2018 Women’s Ordination Worldwide (WOW) is deeply disappointed by Pope Francis’ reiteration of the “closed door” stance on women’s ordination.  We call on Pope Francis to lead by example and dialogue with the many women who are called to priesthood. The Vatican’s repeated attempts to limit God’s priestly call to…
Read more

June 21, 2018 For Immediate Release Contacts: Kate McElwee, Executive Director kmcelwee@womensordination.org +1.607.725.1364, +39 393 692 2100 (Rome, Italy) Katie Lacz, Program Associate klacz@womensordination.org 518-928-4088 (Colorado, U.S.) Women’s Ordination Conference reaffirms its stance that the ban on the ordination of women is not a “closed door,” contrary to statements from Pope Francis in an interview…
Read more

For Immediate Release Press Release of the “International Catholic Reform Network” (ICRN) June 16, 2018 Pezinok/Slovakia: Fifty Catholics from 18 countries and 4 continents gathered near Bratislava, Slovakia from June 11 – 15, 2018.  Formed as the International Catholic Reform Network (icrn.info) in 2013, the participants of this year’s conference learned from members of the…
Read more