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A historic event took place on June 29, 2002, near Passau, Germany, on the Danube River, and in the life of the Roman Catholic Church. It is with hope, and in solidarity, that the Women's Ordination Conference announces the ordination of seven women to the Catholic priesthood. The women, from Germany and Austria, who prepared for ordination by completing degrees in theology and participating in a ministerial training program over the last three years were ordained by Archbishop Romolo Braschi of Argentina and Bishop Rafael Regelseberger of Austria.
In the shadows of the clergy sexual abuse crisis, Catholics everywhere are in agony yet we continue searching for moral guidance. These ordinations are a light of hope in the church’s healing process. Women are courageously creating a just, inclusive church, and their actions will spark continued dialogue, growth and change in the church.
WOC has advocated for women's ordination in the Roman Catholic Church for twenty-seven years, always with the goal of creating a renewed priesthood in a vibrant and inclusive church. The ordination of women is clearly consistent with both the teachings and ministry of Jesus. After his death, Christ first appeared to Mary Magdalene, making her the ‘apostle to the apostles’ and demonstrating Christ's understanding that she would go forth to proclaim the gospel message.
These ordinations should be viewed in the same light as the lives of the many female leaders who served in the early church. Rev. Ludmila Javorova, ordained in 1970 in Czechoslovakia’s underground church is another example of this tradition. Now, in the year 2002, more courageous women have stepped forward, and Catholic bishops have broken years of institutional silence by righting unjust church law.
WOC is aware that some may question these ordinations on canonical grounds or because of the ‘standing’ of the ordaining bishops. WOC, however, chooses to recognize them as another important step in the struggle for women’s equality in the church. These new priests cannot deny the spirit’s call to serve. Even the hierarchy's culture of secrecy and requirements for silence cannot stop the ordination of women among the People of God.
The work of the Women's Ordination Conference is infused with love for the church and driven by a passion for justice. We support our sisters who find a way to respond to God’s call to ordained ministry. We celebrate these courageous women and bishops whose actions illustrate the value of women’s spiritual leadership to Catholics around the world. Until the day women are ordained to a renewed 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. We will continue in our commitment to assuring women’s recognition as full persons, created in the image and likeness of God, and able to represent Christ through celebration of the Eucharist. Furthermore, now is the time to be direct with bishops regarding our vision of church and how we view reconstruction of the priesthood to include women. Let us pray that other Roman Catholic bishops will follow the prophetic actions taken in Europe. May they all find the courage and willingness to ordain women to priestly ministry.
Erin Hanley
WOC Communications Director
| Ordinations 29 June | RC women called to the priesthood | Theologians on the teaching of the CDF | The duty of speaking out | Mistaken teachings by Popes in the past | Womenpriests home page |
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