In my time as a priest in the Episcopal Church I have been entered into several search processes and ended up as the first female Rector at three different churches. Still, despite the changing reality, my initial expectation that the journey would be hard has proven accurate. It's very difficult to be a woman priest in the Episcopal Church. It's difficult to be a woman cleric in any denomination. Comments like "lacking enough experience"reveal the subtle and unrecognized bias for male priests that women face. Often the bias is far less subtle, particularly for women who have entered into the search process for Diocesan Bishop. Sexism is alive and well.

 

Sadly, because women are included as candidates in search processes, often becoming finalists for Rector, Dean, or Bishop, we fail to see the ways that sexism plays out in the call process and in the church. We point to the number of women serving in the parish or serving in the church as if numbers suggest that sexism is over. We fail to recognize that women have to search harder and longer to get that call. We fail to recognize that when a call does come a woman is paid less than a male priest would have been paid for that same position. (Ed. note: And this will impact a woman's pension when she retires).We fail to recognize that once called women face a long journey of overcoming sexism and misogynistic attitudes in the parish and diocese. People will say things to a woman priest that they would never say to a male priest, and a woman priest is supposed to take it in stride, modeling good leadership in response. It takes tremendous self-awareness and leadership skills for women to navigate the terrain of church leadership and remain healthy and effective. Because of this, women clergy work harder than anyone else. Not only do we work to help congregations grow and develop their missions and ministries and spirituality, but at the same time we are working to grow our strengths so that we can remain effective and healthy. No doubt male clergy have to do this kind of work too, but it is no where near as intense as it is for women. The struggles for clergy of color and LGBT clergy is even greater. However, the more effective we are in gaining equality for women, the more effective we will be in enabling equality for all people. Historically, equality begins with women. The further women move from being possessions into having full autonomy the more society is able to recognize other minority groups and empower their autonomy as well.

 

The Episcopal Women's Caucus (EWC) has long worked for and promoted the ordination of women. We were on the leading edge of this movement in the 1970's, caucusing in dioceses and at General Convention to pass the resolution that allowed for women's ordination to all orders, deacon, priest, and bishop. The EWC continues this cause, working to support women in ordained positions and advocating for the full inclusion of all people into holy orders. In this issue of the Monthly Caucus we invite you to hear the stories of women as we redouble our efforts to support women in their search processes and ministries.