International News and Actions

WOC Board Announces Support for Spiritus Christi Ordinations

Over the past twenty-five years, the Women's Ordination Conference has labored for the ordination of women within the Roman Catholic Church, and supported women in pursuit of this goal. Our work is infused with love for the church, and is driven by a passion for justice. Justice for the parishes that are currently deprived of a weekly Eucharistic celebration, and justice for the women who want to follow God's call to the ordained ministry.

The Women's Ordination Conference strongly, and joyfully, supports our sisters who find a way to respond to that call. The ordinations of Mary Ramerman and Denise Donato by Bishop Peter Hickman, of the Old Catholic Church, will nourish and strengthen the Spiritus Christi Catholic faith community of Rochester, New York, while illustrating the value of women's spiritual leadership to Catholics everywhere.

Nevertheless, the work of the Women's Ordination Conference is far from complete. The ordination of Roman Catholic women through the Old Catholic Church, or other Christian communities, is only a step toward our goal of reshaping and reforming the Roman Catholic Church. Until the day when women are ordained to a renewed, and renewing Roman Catholic priestly ministry, the church will have failed to fully reflect the glory and gifts of all God's people in the life of the church. Until then, the Women's Ordination Conference will continue its commitment to have women recognized as full persons, created in the image and likeness of God, and able to represent Christ through the celebration of the Eucharist.

Board of Directors
Women's Ordination Conference
September 10, 2001