Catholic women's groups call for global strike in the church

Catholic women's groups have called for a global women's strike in the Church at the start of the pre-Easter period of Lent. They reject the "endless stalling tactics" of the Church towards women and will use the strike to express a clear "no" to the continuous rejection of their equal rights, according to a call published on Thursday by the reform groups "Women's Ordination Conference" and "Catholic Women's Council" (CWC). Instead of waiting for the church to say "yes", women are showing that they reject sexism in the church through various forms of resistance. In doing so, they were giving "a courageous witness to the gospel message of equality for all people".

Women want to break through the "patriarchal status quo"

According to the initiators, the strike is intended to deprive the church of "time, labour and financial resources", which should instead be channelled into creative acts of resistance. The aim is to break the "patriarchal status quo", which all too often depends on the invisible work and goodwill of women, while they are denied access to ordained positions and an equal share in the decision-making process. "Women are the lifeblood of the church, coordinating the vast majority of parish ministries around the world and serving as deacons and priests in places where there is a shortage of clergy." The strike is intended to make visible what is all too often invisible.

The global strike will reportedly be launched on Sunday with a prayer rally in the US capital Washington. Further actions are planned in Spain, among other places, where rallies are planned in eight different cities under the motto "Believers and feminists for a church of equality". "Numerous congregations and religious communities will also use the day and the entire period of Lent to repeatedly demand equality in the church with prayers, meditations and meetings."

"Turning frustration into creative resistance"

"The Catholic Women's Strike transforms frustration into creative resistance," said CWC European Chairwoman Regina Franken. During last year's Synod on Synodality in the Vatican, women learnt how enriching the solidarity of women is and that they have a right to equality. The synod had raised hopes that the church could finally move towards the equal inclusion of women in the life of the church. However, the consultations ended without any clear reform steps for women in church ministry.

In Germany, Catholic women went on strike in the church for a week in 2019. The participants wanted to demonstrate against a male-dominated church and in favour of women's access to ordained ministries in the church. (stz)