Dear friends,

The Australian Catholic Bishops 2000 Social Justice Statement contained nine decisions at the national level and 31 proposals for action in dioceses.  Have these proposals been actioned in your diocese?

Decision 1 and Proposal 1 called for the promotion of a better balance of men, women, clergy and religious within Church structures.  What is the status in your diocese?  Try using the following tool to consider this proposal in your context. You may like to fill out the form below and send it back to us.

Status: Doing well, assessment required, requires attention, not applicable

Promoting a better balance of men, women, clergy and religious within Church structures

1. in existing councils, organisations and advisory bodies______________
2. in leadership roles______________
3. on pastoral councils______________
4. development of a database to help promote participation, particularly in decision-making and leadership______________
5. engage qualified women to act as Church spokespersons and guest speakers______________
6. women's needs in relation to participation be a financial priority______________
7. developments in role and status of women be acknowledged among the 'signs of the times'______________
8. more women appointed to marriage tribunals and, where necessary, funded for specialist training______________
9. give priority to just remuneration and employment conditions for women in the Church ______________

As mentioned in previously the latest statistics demonstrate there has been an 8% increase in the participation of women on bodies advising the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.  See the following graphs for additional information. Click Here for Graphs

These decisions and proposals call for collaboration.  "Collaboration is the working together of all the baptized, each contributing specific, personal gifts to build up the body of Christ" (Bishops' Committee on Women in Society and in the Church, From Words to Deeds: Continuing Reflections on the Role of Women in the Church. Washington, D.C. United States Catholic Conference, 1998).  Please send anecdotal evidence of what is happening in your parish or diocese to Beth Doherty - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it