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The Diocesan Office for Women in Church and Society was established by Bishop Anthony M. Pilla on July 1, 1987.  This action followed a dialogue with diocesan women of varied backgrounds who came together to voice their concerns and hopes for women in the Catholic Church and in society.  The office was the first diocesan office of its kind in the United States.

The Office for Women in Church and Society is a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.  This ministry is carried out in a way which is consistent with gospel values and the current teaching of the Catholic Church.

How the Office came to be

In January, 1985, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops requested that each Diocese conduct extensive listening/consultation sessions with women in order to provide detailed background information for a Pastoral Letter entitled, "Women in Society and in the Church".

To respond to this call for diocesan wide listening and consultation, Bishop Pilla appointed a Core Committee of 15 women to do the following: design a process for consultation within our Diocese, to prepare a draft of the results to be sent to the Bishops' Conference, and to recommend follow-up within the diocese to address the results of the listening process.

Responses came from over 2000 women representing parish groups, religious communities, diocesan organizations, special groups and individuals. These were tabulated and given to a group called the Committee of 50, a diverse group of women representing a broad range of thoughts and experiences. This Committee met to reflect on the results, and to react and recommend diocesan follow-up efforts. Based on these recommendations, a plan of action was implemented for the diocese.

Women’s Concerns

The findings of this group included the following: Catholic women of the Diocese of Cleveland share the substance of the concerns of all women. These concerns are:

• Feelings of alienation in society and in church.
• Lack of equal participation in decision making in society and in the church.
• Lack of recognition of the gifts of all people to be shared in the church and in society.
• Economic needs of the elderly, most of whom are women.
• Unequal pay scales.
• Few opportunities to pursue advanced educational and employment opportunities.
• Little respect for the contributions of mothers and homemakers to society and to the church.
• A need for the formation of a structure for addressing the issues raised within the Diocese of Cleveland.

Based on all of the above, the recommendation was made to Bishop Pilla to establish a new office to deal with women's concerns. On July 1, 1987, The Diocesan Office for Women in Church and Society was established, the first Office of its kind in the United States. ( To date, the only other such Offices are located in the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.)

Issues/Activities In Which The Office Has Been Involved Since Its Founding

Advocacy

• Issues of economic justice, health care, spirituality, leadership.
• Conferences on women and poverty.
• Monitoring legislation and public policy regarding health care for women and children, sexual harassment, public assistance for women and children, violence against women.
• Promoting fair trade by sponsoring a Christmas Boutique selling fairly traded goods.

Spirituality

• Feminine models of prayer and spirituality.
• Advent prayer services.
• Spiritual resources, such as Advent and Lenten Reflection booklets.
• Days and evening of reflection for women.
• Programs on Women and Scripture.

Health and Well-Being

• Structuring parish models for child/day care, latch key programs.
• Networking with various community agencies and groups such as the American Cancer Society, Greater Cleveland Committee for Women's Health, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Race for the Cure.
• Olive Branch - A collaborative endeavor with The Marriage &Family Office, and the Tribunal of the Diocese, to respond to the needs of separated, divorced and remarried Catholics.
• Hosting Wellness Days for Women.
• Creating a National Network of Diocesan Commissions and Offices for Women.
• Programs on Women and Scripture, Stress Management, and Communication Skills.
• Supporting implementation of Elizabeth Ministry, a ministry of women that is for women; it affirms, supports, encourages, and assists women in response to a variety of needs during childbearing years.

Visibility and Voice

• Creating a National Network of Diocesan Commissions and Offices for Women.
• Promoting the role of the laity, especially women, in the public life of the church - utilizing and implementing church documents that support this process such as: Creating a Home: Benchmarks for Church Leadership Roles for Women, and Strengthening the Bonds of Peace.
• Sponsoring inclusive language workshops.
• Developing programs on stress management and communication skills.
• Exploring educational opportunities for low income women.
• Developing and implementing a workshop addressing the issue of Domestic Violence with the creation of a Manual utilized by many agencies in our community, other parts of Ohio, and other states as well.