Church in India Agrees Sharing Power with Women

(March 10, 2010) As the Indian parliament Tuesday passed a bill reserving seats for women as law makers, an official of the bishops’ conference said the Church introduced a gender policy document last week stressing more power to women. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) introduced the Gender Policy for Catholic Church in India in its last biennial meet ended March 3, spokesperson Father Babu Joseph said. The Rajya Sabha or Upper House of Indian parliament passed the historic Women’s Reservation Bill that reserves 33 percent of seat in parliament for women. The late evening voting came after a discussion on the Bill, which witnessed vociferous protests. The moving of the bill for the house’s consideration saw unruly scenes that resulted in three adjournments and suspension and eviction of seven disruptive members. However, the Church’s gender policy formulated with nation-wide consultation, outlines ‘adequate’ representation for women in all parish bodies, barring ordained priesthood, Mid-Day newspaper said quoting Father Joseph. Participation includes encouraging women to lead prayer services, serve communion and lead small community groups, among other things. Father Joseph said the policy began to take shape after the prelates discussed Catholic women’s issues in their last meeting in 2008. The bishops felt “were several instances of discrimination against allowing women to participate in decision-making within parish bodies across India,” said Fr Joseph.