On this weeks programme we are joined by Rose O'Connor and Phyllis Moynihan to discuss the recent report published by Limerick Diocese "Exploring the Role of Women in Church Leadership" which was launched at a webinar on May 10th (the report and the webinar are available on the diocesan website here).
During the 2016 Synod held in the Diocese of Limerick the role of women in leadership in the church was discussed and a proposal was put forward to explore the matter in more detail. Core Strategic Action Five within the New Models of Leadership theme in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan arising from the Synod stated: We will as a matter of urgency establish the proposed working group on a leadership role for women in the life of the diocese.
Bishop Brendan Leahy established the ‘Women in Leadership’ working group in 2017. Membership of the working group was comprised of both lay and religious women and men from a variety of professional backgrounds and experience under the chair of Rose O'Connor.
The working group had the following terms of reference:
1) Explore and scope out positive experiences that already exist;
2) Research current church teaching on the theme of the role of women in the church;
3) Offer proposals and suggestions on how and where women can play a greater
leadership role in the institutions of the church at Diocesan and local levels.
Rose and Phyllis take us through the background to the working group, the work that was done (with a focus on lived experience, a biblical perspective and an canonical review) and the recommendations made.
It is a thoughtful and nuanced approach to the topic which looks at what is possible even within existing teaching and structures and makes an important contribution to the understanding and development of team ministry with the reminder on what can be done by lay women and men by virtue of baptism. Reading the report itself in detail rather than headlines in news reports etc would be well worth listeners time.