An Open Letter to the Anglican Mission in America from the Episcopal Women's Caucus

The Board of the Episcopal Women's Caucus (EWC) has read the much-anticipated 142-page report from the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) on the Ordination of Women and responds with sadness and chagrin to the AMiA's October 31, 2003 announcement of their policy on women's ordination.

How unfortunate, indeed, for Archbishops Kolini of Rwanda and Chung of Southeast Asia, sponsors of the AMiA, to "provide guidance to ordain properly qualified and called women as deacons but not as priests or bishops." In a missionary evangelical movement like AMiA, it seems to us an insult to the Body of Christ to claim to be open to the Spirit in the fullness of that Body's vocational life, and yet deny that same fullness in the spiritual and vocational life of women.

However, what seems truly bizarre to us is their decision that "the two women who had already been ordained priests and had affiliated with the AMiA, will be permitted to continue their ministry as priests, serving on staff where called. However, women who seek affiliation with the AMiA, from this point on, who are already ordained as priests, will be asked to serve as deacons."

One small step for man, two giant steps backward for women -- and the theology of ordination.

One small step for man, two giant steps backward for women -- and the theology of ordination.

It is the prayer of Jesus that, "We all may be one." It is the firm belief of the Episcopal Women's Caucus that as long as the cause of unity is carried on the backs of women, or any others not in power, the mission of Christ in the world will not be fulfilled.

Episcopal Women's Caucus Board (click on any name to send an email to that person):

President: Elizabeth Morris Downie

Vice-President: Jennifer Lynn Baskerville

Secretary: Ann Van Dervoort

Treasurer: Byron Rushing

Elizabeth Kaeton

Jane Holmes Dixon

Carol Cole Flanagan

Staff

Business Manager: William J. Fleener

Ruach Editor: Katie Sherrod

Ruach Production Editor: Anne McConney

Our Mission Statement

The Episcopal Women's Caucus has a vision: a church that honors and rejoices in the ministries of all women. We know that such a church will honor and rejoice in the ministries of all people. We work to realize this vision by:

1. Empowering women and men to challenge oppressive structures in the global community, nation and church;
2. Modeling non-hierarchical ways -- shared leadership and decision-making, womanist/feminist/mujerista theology and spirituality;
3. Giving visibility and respect to women's perspectives and actions in the work and struggle for justice, peace and the integrity of creation;
4. Enabling the church to free itself from racism, sexism, clericalism, heterosexism, ableism, and from teachings and practices that sustain and reinforce power inequities.

Adopted by the EWC Board 6/93 (and edited 11/98) based on the World Council of Churches' statement for the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women (1988-98).

All persons -- male and female, lay and ordained -- who subscribe to this statement are invited to join in the ministry and mission of the Episcopal Women's Caucus.