Join the effort

What does it mean to strike?

Withholding time, labor, and resources from the church will look different for different people—and for some of you, perhaps it’s something you’ve been doing for a long time already. Here are some examples:

  • If you attend a parish regularly, choose not to attend for the duration of Lent 2025 and instead find a woman-led community online where you can be spiritually nourished. Send a letter to your pastor explaining that you will be intentionally absent, and why. Our forthcoming planning toolkit will provide sample language you can use.

  • If you volunteer for a parish, decline to take on your usual tasks during Lent 2025: anything from lectoring to religious education. You may wish to inform your parish leadership ahead of time; our planning toolkit will provide sample language.

  • If you work for a parish, please reach out to us about any concerns about job risks if you strike during Lent. Our aim is to offer financial and moral support to make this feasible.

  • If you already essentially “strike” from the church—withholding your labor, your presence, and your financial resources—we want to know! Please use the button below to sign a petition so we know how many people are already striking on their own.

And then, there are a few easy steps to begin getting involved with this global movement:

First: Sign up and get connected. By filling out the form at the link below, you can receive ongoing updates and news as planning moves forward for Lent 2025. And, download the slides from our introductory call on November 12, 2024.

Second: Spreading the word is crucial! Go to our gallery of downloadable social media images so you can share them on whatever platforms you use (Instagram, Facebook, and X/Twitter).

Third: Find community. Join our “Catholic Women Strike” group on Facebook to meet other community members, share ideas, and offer and receive support.

Please consider donating any amount to help support this widespread, grassroots action. Your support is deeply appreciated!

Frequently asked questions

"Why now?"

A strike is necessary because we are not being heard. The historic, three-year Synod on Synodality formally ended in October 2024 with no meaningful movement on the issue of women’s ordination, despite the issue being consistently raised by Catholics worldwide at every step of the synodal process.

Now is the time to escalate because we need to show that we will no longer patiently wait to work on the Vatican’s timetable. A strike is a means of taking power into our own hands.

“Won’t a strike cause more harm than good? What about the children in religious education and everyone else who won’t receive the ministries that they rely on?”

We need to show our children that we will not stand for a church that discriminates against women. A strike puts our commitments into prophetic action. It is a ministry of justice that we undertake for everyone in our Church.

"What if I would risk my job by striking?"

An effective strike is not a solo effort. Workers unite to demonstrate their collective power. Individuals can be replaced, but an entire class cannot be replaced. If Catholic women stand in solidarity with each other, we can force institutions to give in to our demands.

“What if my community and I aren’t able to strike?”

The beauty of grassroots efforts is that they arise out of local communities, drawing on their capacity and resources. Local organizers understand their communities best, so if you want to organize another type of protest or witness in solidarity with Catholic Women Strike, we support your participation in this movement!