30.10.2009

High Statistics on Lutheran Women's Ordination Hide Reality of Marginalization

LWF Pre-Assembly: Prayer for Daily Bread Is a Plea for Women's Dignity

GENEVA, 30 October 2009 (LWI) - Statistics about increasing women's ordination in the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches are encouraging. However, "the shining exterior of inclusion and equality masks a reality of denial, marginalization and despair," representatives from LWF member churches heard at the ongoing Women's Pre-Assembly (WPA) at Bogis-Bossey, near Geneva, Switzerland.

"More women are being ordained, the percentage of women studying theology has increased and women are usually represented 'up front' on important occasions and on committees," said Indian biblical scholar, Dr Monica Melanchthon in her presentation to around 50 participants attending the 27-31 October WPA.

The international women's gathering is the first in a series of seven preparatory conferences for the July 2010 LWF Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany. It is hosted by the desk for Women in Church and Society (WICAS) at the Department for Mission and Development (DMD).

According to statistics compiled by DMD/WICAS, around two thirds of the current 140 LWF member churches ordain women.

In her presentation titled "Women in a Renewed LWF: Theological and Practical Issues," Melanchthon focused especially on the Report of the LWF Renewal Committee, which was presented at the 22-27 October Council meeting. She noted that the "document ... does not specifically address the issue of gender although it does in its intent and definition strive for the recognition and inclusion of women in the life of the communion."

Melanchthon, who is a member of the Renewal Committee responsible for this report, proposed the preparation of a document that would address women's concerns within a renewed LWF, setting out priorities and strategies. The Indian theologian is a professor at the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College in Chennai, India.

Gender Disparity

Dr Fulata L. Moyo, program executive for Women in Church and Society at the World Council of Churches, reminded the WPA participants of "gender disparity and desperation that denies women their right to food and dignity." In her presentation, she linked the LWF Eleventh Assembly theme "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread" to issues related to the exploitation of women in various sectors of society. Women's concern about bringing food at the table and feeding their children makes them turn to prostitution. "Women are trafficked and commoditized," she said, explaining that this desperation "dis-members [tears into pieces] women for mere survival."

Moyo challenged women to work on questions such as: "What prophetic roles do we need to carry out so that the desperation that leads to women's bodies being dis-membered is dealt with? What clear policy, theological reflections including that of marriage and general practice do we want to suggest to the churches as well as to the process of theological education?"

"'Give us this day our daily bread' is a petition repeated by millions of Christians around the world every day as they pray the Lord's Prayer. However, for many, the words of the Lord's Prayer may have little meaning when the daily necessities of life seem so abundant," said Ms Angeline Munzara, the food campaign coordinator at the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA). She emphasized that abundance co-existed with want today, as "over 1 billion people live with constant hunger." She cited underlying causes such as climate change and environmental degradation, whose impact affects women and children the most.

"How we produce food, how we distribute it and how we ensure that all people have access to culturally-appropriate nourishment is a fundamental matter of justice toward people, the creation and God. As women, we have a role to play to change this world order and influence decisions to ensure food justice and the realization of the right to food for all people," said Munzara.

Elaborating the role of women in food production, the EAA representative highlighted women's role in food security. She described women as "food producers, keepers of traditional knowledge and preservers of biodiversity, food processors and preparers and food providers for their families." According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) women are the main producers of the world's staple foods: maize, wheat and rice.

Advocacy

In this context "the daily bread that women require is to be able to participate in all decision-making processes regarding food production and distribution at all levels - community level; within peasant, farmer and fisher folk and indigenous organizations; and at the tables of government and development agencies," Munzara emphasized with regard to advocacy strategies.

She invited women to join in advocacy by writing letters to their national governments urging respect for the right to food and asking them what actions they had taken on the right to food. The women were also encouraged to learn about government commitments on the right to food and how they could join with like-minded civil society actors.

Munzara further suggested participation in planning actions in church, community and at national level for the EAA Churches Week of Action on Food, joining the development agencies' Countdown to Copenhagen campaign on climate change or participating in a worship service with the ringing of bells on Sunday 13 December, which marks the height of the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen.

One could also choose fasting on Ash Wednesday, on World Food Day celebrated around 16 October to mark FAO's founding, or any other key events relating to food, using special resources, prayers, Bible studies, and considering individual eating habits, Munzara concluded. (916 words)

Journey | Women's Pre-Assembly

30.10.2009

High Statistics on Lutheran Women's Ordination Hide Reality of Marginalization

LWF Pre-Assembly: Prayer for Daily Bread Is a Plea for Women's Dignity

Quick Links

Resources