Women's Commission
Catholic Diocese of Richmond

History

Since 1976, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond has had some form of outreach to women.  In 1985, the Women Listening to Women Task Force became a Diocesan Commission.  Eventually the name was changed to become the Women's Commission.  It worked through the Office of Justice and Peace as one of several official advisory bodies appointed by the Bishop.

In 1996 the Office of Justice and Peace placed the Diocesan Women's Commission on hold in order  to be able to devote more time and energy to the development of Sowers of Justice across the diocese, including local Sowers' Women's Working Groups. 

Re-creating a Diocesan Women's Commission

During 2001-2002, the Office of Justice and Peace convened a women’s working group to revisit the need for and purpose of a Women’s Commission.  Women in the working group represented various ethnic, geographic, and ministry perspectives.  Through a series of meetings, the working group considered the role of women in the Church, current ministries and initiatives designed for women in the areas of education and spiritual development, and areas of unmet need in church and society.  The working group identified the need to expand and update the purpose and activities of the previous Women’s Commission to include the following:

The Commission should serve the Diocese both as an advisory body to the Bishop and as a resource to local parishes and women’s groups.  As an advisory body to the Bishop, it will serve as a liaison between women in the Diocese and the Bishop to ensure that women’s voices are heard.  The Commission will also present women’s concerns to the Bishop and to the diocesan leadership so that these issues may be addressed. 

At the local level, the Commission will support parishes and women’s groups in identifying resources for women’s spiritual development and education. The Commission will help local groups network with one another to share resources and program ideas and to advocate for greater ministerial leadership and educational opportunities for women within the Diocese.  Finally, it will oversee the current working group on domestic violence awareness developed by the prior Women’s Commission.

The current Women’s Commission aims to be representative of all women in the Diocese and include Catholic leaders and people who are passionate about women’s issues from both civil and church organizations.