Episcopal Press and News
CSW Says Women Still Struggling for Parity in the Church
Episcopal News Service. May 7, 2002 [2002-113-7]
'There has been some improvement' in the status of women in the Episcopal Church in the last 15 years, but a survey sponsored by the Executive Council's Committee on the Status of Women indicates that full parity for women is still in the future.
'Historically, religion has provided the theological and ethical ballast for sexual inequality and continues to do so to the degree that its present theology, structures and practices reinforce belief in male dominance--whether the issue is hold elected or appointed office, equal pay for equal work or serving as a priest or bishop,' said committee chair Sally Bucklee of the Diocese of Washington. 'So, the two surveys (1987 and 2002) measure how the Episcopal Church is progressing in assuring the full participation of women in Christ's ministry and mission.'
Dr. Adair Lummis of the Hartford Seminary distributed the results of the survey Reaching Toward Wholeness II to the chairs of the 18 dioceses which participated in updating information from the committee's report to the 1988 General Convention. Diocesan chairs had an opportunity to compare data from their individual dioceses as well as to examine it through the lens of the national totals. They had randomly distributed surveys to 300 women and100 men in each of their dioceses and distributed an additional 50 questionnaires to local leaders.
'The diocesan chairs got onboard quickly with each other, comparing data, asking questions, probing beneath the percentages in order to make informed statements about what is going on in their dioceses regarding women's participation and acceptance,' said Marjorie Burke of the Diocese of New Hampshire, project manager for the survey.' While initial reading of the statistics show some improvement since 1987, a more in-depth look indicates there is still much work to be done.'
While the numbers seem to indicate a greater acceptance of women in leadership roles, some of the discrepancies merit further study, according to the committee. Among the issues identified for closer examination was the disparity in salaries between ordained women and men. There were also differences between the responders' points of view and those they perceived to be the opinions of other members of their congregations. The general lack of interest in areas which fall into the categories of adult education and outreach ministry also beg for a closer look.
The 18 dioceses participating in the survey were a representative cross-section of the church; rural and urban, small and large, traditional and progressive, and from every province. The Rev. Virginia Brown-Nolan of the Diocese of Washington will be the writer of the report sent to all bishops, deputies and Triennial delegates prior to the Minneapolis General Convention.