Special series: Women in religion
Editor's note:
Around the world, women have been making notable advances in many realms, serving as heads of government, leading corporations and universities. Yet in several major religious denominations, women are barred or limited from serving as clergy and excluded from the uppermost leadership roles.
Nonetheless, hundreds of millions of women are devoted to these male-led faiths, and some – often breaking barriers along the way – have found leadership roles they can play. The Associated Press, Religion News Service and The Conversation have teamed up to produce a series of reported stories and scholar commentary portraying some of these women and the faiths they embrace.
Religion News
Women breaking through to top roles in Black churches
Most major Black Christian denominations in the U.S. have no doctrinal bar to ordained women leaders. Yet denominational leadership remained all-male until the 21st century, and women are still the exception in the top rungs. By Adelle Banks/Religion News Service and Peter Smith/The Associated Press
In Hinduism, women create space for their own leadership
While there aren’t a lot of women priests, women in Hinduism globally continue to take on leadership roles in other ways - building communities, taking on positions in organizations, passing on knowledge. By Deepti Hajela/The Associated Press
Women’s roles are growing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Still, some want to see a faster pace for progress. By Lindsay Whitehurst and Holly Meyer/The Associated Press
Women seek diverse paths to leadership in Islamic spaces
From religious courts to spiritual care and Islamic scholarship, here's how some Muslim women are carving out space and paving the way for others. By Mariam Fam/The Associated Press and Aysha Khan/Religion News Service
In Buddhism, women blaze a path but strive for gender equity
Buddhist women have made progress — from education through advanced degrees and the creation of nunneries to seeking full ordination. But many at the movement's forefront say more needs to be accomplished. By Luis Andres Henao/The Associated Press
Barred from priesthood, some Catholic women find other roles
A growing number of women hold consequential positions in the church and at the Vatican. By Claire Giangravé/Religion News Service and David Crary/The Associated Press
More Orthodox Jewish women are ordained; change is uneven
While the larger Reform and Conservative Jewish movements have ordained women rabbis for decades, the Orthodox fold has only recently begun tapping women to leadership roles. By Yonat Shimron/Religion News Service and Ilan Ben Zion/The Associated Press
Amid tension, Southern Baptist women lead where they can
Few congregations could function without the work of female members. Still, there is tension in the Southern Baptist Convention over the role of women. By Bob Smietana/Religion News Service and Holly Meyer/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
Traditionally, Buddhism has been opposed to women taking on leadership roles. However, nuns in many Buddhist majority countries are challenging the patriarchal rules. By Jue Liang for The Conversation
Many Southern Baptist women who left the denomination took leadership roles in other churches, educational institutions and organizations. By Susan M. Shaw for The Conversation
Religious leadership roles for Orthodox Jewish women are expanding, including community scholars and guides on Jewish law. By Michal Raucher for The Conversation
LDS leaders still stress that men should 'preside' over their families. But in recent years, messages about marriage have stressed more equal partnership. By Caroline Kline for The Conversation
Catholic faithful participate in a procession in observance of the feast of the Immaculate Conception in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)
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- This Week in Religion is a publication of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative, a collaboration among the Religion News Service, The Associated Press and The Conversation U.S.
- The three news organizations work to improve general understanding and analyze the significance of developments in the world of faith.
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