Catholic women want stronger role

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

More than 700 women in positions of leadership have been gauging their satisfaction with the way their voices have been heard in a study under way among Catholics in Hawai'i.

Sister Brenda Lau said the survey is a follow-up to the blistering "Consultation with Women in Diocesan Leadership" report released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in October 2001.

The report concluded that while collaboration between women in the parish and the clergy was rated good to excellent, women sometimes felt they received only surface cooperation, felt excluded from the decision-making process, and felt newly ordained priests were not prepared to work with women.

Sister Lau said she wasn't surprised by the findings, and expects they play out here, as well.

"When the national study came out, it awakened our diocese to the need for our own data," she said.

The survey, given to women identified as leaders in their parishes, has a deadline of Friday. It was created by the Women in Leadership Study Group appointed by Bishop Francis DiLorenzo, which includes Sister Lau and several others.

The survey asks women to describe the roles they have in administration, religious education and other ministries, how much support they receive, and then to rate their satisfaction in a variety of categories.

The surveys will be sent to Bryan Man, a professor of sociology at Chaminade who will then create a database and present the panel with conclusions.

Sharon Chiarucci, another member of the committee, said they've already received 150 responses.

"It's been amazing," she said. "We were told not to expect any the first week, and they started coming back immediately."

Though they could remain anonymous, there is a spot on the survey in which women willing to give their names could agree to take part in a follow-up interview. Chiarucci said nearly half of the respondents so far checked the appropriate spot to be interviewed later.

"That will be interesting to hear what they have to say." she said.

Lau said it shows that women are willing to have the dialogue about their place in the Roman Catholic Church.

"Women are struggling to have their rightful place in the governing system and effective input into the decision-making process," said the nun with the religious order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. "A number of clergy don't having the ability to work with women in Hawai'i, particularly the cultural dimension that views women differently.

"What's hurt by this is the mission of Jesus to be carried out effectively in the church."