Faith traditions lack support for female leaders, experts say

By Linda Brooks

Women have made great progress in business and politics, but in the world of male-dominated religious faiths, acceptance in leadership roles is still difficult to achieve, although slow change is happening.

That was one of the conclusions drawn at a Dec. 9 panel discussion of “Women’s Evolving Influence in Male-led Faiths,” sponsored by the Associated Press, Religion News Service and TheConversation.org.

In 1974, the Episcopal Church was one of the earliest Christian denominations to ordain women, a move that was very controversial. In 1988, Barbara Harris was the first woman elected as a bishop.

Women’s voices are heard in other faith organizations but without the legitimacy of ordination or title, their voices are not heard or accepted at the same level as their male counterparts.

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Episcopal Migration Ministries resettles its 100,000th refugee

Episcopal Church Public Affairs Office

Episcopal Migration Ministries, one of nine national agencies responsible for resettling refugees and special immigrant visa holders in partnership with the U.S. government, announced that it has resettled 100,000 individuals since it was formally established in the 1980s.

“We mark this milestone with much thanksgiving and gratitude for all who have partnered with our dedicated staff in this vital ministry of serving our global neighbors forced to flee their homes in search of safety and security,” said Demetrio Alvero, operations director for EMM. “Jesus exhorted us to love our neighbors—as he demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan. We do this through intentional, loving, and practical care of others’ needs.”

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