Lucile Murray Durkin Scholarship

This unique scholarship awards $2,200 to women and non-binary people on their academic and spiritual paths, discerning ordination. Endowed by the late Sheila Durkin Dierks and her family, WOC is honored to celebrate the pioneering legacy of Lucile Murray Durkin. Scholarship applications are open to women and non-binary persons enrolled or accepted into an undergraduate or graduate studies programs, or relevant coursework. Details • Supports women and non-binary people • Awards three $2,200 scholarships • For those interested in pursuing priesthood in the Catholic church. Eligibility • Primarily for female or non-binary wishing to be ordained Ecumincal or Roman Catholic Women Priests • Secondarily for others seeking priestly ordination in other denominations. Application Process • Submit an essay (1,000 words), original artwork, video or an audio file of your voice that speaks to one of the following: Your sense/experience of being called to ordained ministry. Your vision of women and non-binary priests in the Catholic Church, and how their leadership might change the Church as a whole. The gifts you believe you would bring to ordained ministry. How you might explore a path to ordination or feminist ministry in the next year. • Two letters of recommendation from an academic and/or spiritual mentor who can reflect on the applicant's vision of her/their sense of call to feminist ministry and transformative ritual; and her/their character as a person of compassion, faithfulness, inquiry, sacrament, and service. Applications for 2025 scholarships are now closed. Applications for 2026 will open in late November.