What can the U.S. Church do to promote women in church leadership roles, even without ordination?

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) formally posed that question two years ago, and launched a project that resulted this summer in publication of a 100-page book, Creating a Home: Benchmarks for Church Leadership Roles for Women. Four papers in the book explore the question from perspectives of history, canon law, theology, and current pastoral practice. Then the LCWR executive committee concludes with 15 concrete recommendations for action -- "modest steps, all possible within current church practice." They call for appointment of women to NCCB and diocesan posts, official dialogue about ordaining women as deacons, due process and protection of rights for women employees, full access for women to education and formation programs, just compensation, and equitable representation on all consultative bodies.

LCWR leaders are not overly sanguine that all this will make a huge difference. They preface their recommendations with a statement of frustration:

By initiating this project, the executive committee had hopes to discover new avenues through which women could play more significant roles in the church. However, the project has made clear to us that as long as jurisdiction (the power to govern) is tied to ordination, a very limited number of roles with authority will be open to women. The relationship of jurisdiction to ordination creates a glass ceiling for women in the church. This seems markedly inconsistent with recent pledges made by the church to involve women in governance and to advance the cause of women (emphasis added).

Nevertheless, Creating a Home should be required reading for anyone serious about understanding that glass ceiling, and continuing to bump up against it. Copies are $10 apiece (less for bulk orders). Order from LCWR, 8808 Cameron St., Silver Spring, MD 20910-4113. (301) 588-4955.