Abstract
Since 1976, when the first ordained women in the Episcopal priesthood in the US were approved by the national governing body, and 1992, when women were first admitted to the priesthood in the Church of England, officials of the Catholic Church have expressed their dismay over these actions, calling them an obstacle to closer relationship between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church. For their part, many feminists within the Catholic Church have advocated for the ordination of women while also arguing for a transformation of the structure of the Catholic priesthood. This chapter builds on the historical situation but also on the possibilities for conversation among women working in parish contexts. The argument of the chapter is that focusing on the ‘official’ Catholic position is generally unproductive, but encouraging women pastoral leaders to meet, pray, and talk together offers greater possibilities for collaborative work. Paying greater attention to the common work that Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Catholic women are doing is a step forward and beyond the impasse of ordination.
Published Version
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