Women-Church: Theology and Practice of Feminist Liturgical Communities

One of the authoritative voices in the revolution of feminist theology belongs to Ruether, professor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. In this picture of spiritual feminism as ""a return to the original religion of humanity before patriarchy,'' she develops the historical framework of Women-Church, a movement composed of bases of feminist culture and celebrational communities that have some autonomy from institutional churches. The Women-Church movement is multidenominational, although its roots are Catholic. Ruether, noting a crisis situation of religion, particularly Christianity, views emerging feminist spirituality as a reclamation of biblical tradition, and a reformation that women can actively engage in today. Innovation and alternative liturgies and rites of passage are included as models which Women-Church implements in local communities. (August 6)