The Scottish Episcopal Church
Primate: The Most Revd David Robert Chillingworth
IAWN Contact: Dr Elaine Cameron
General
We are a small Province, but pride ourselves that our voice is stronger than our size!
Women’s issues & concerns
- Poverty
- Poor housing
- HIV/Aida
- Human Trafficking
- Violence against women
- Equality in education
- Ageism
- Racism
Women in decision-making
The SEC has a reasonable representation of women on its principle Boards and committees. A gender audit was commissioned at the General Synod 2009 to be delivered to General Synod 2010.
Ordination of women
Women are able to be ordained at all levels.
Priests: The first women were ordained in December 1994, six months after the required legislation was passed.
Bishops: The required legislation was passed in 2002. No woman has yet been elected.
Activities related to MDGs & Beijing Platform
The General Synod of 2007 agreed to work towards the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. At the Synod 2008, the Overseas Committee particularly commended this work, inviting all Synod members to become like ‘midgies’ – small creatures who invade Scotland in summer – difficult to ignore and won’t go away! Small bursaries are available for young women wishing to work with overseas projects meeting the MDGs.
The Mothers Union supports work, often in collaboration with the Presbyterian Church of Scotland (C of S) or the Methodist Church, that impacts on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Beijing Platform – though these may not be explicitly stated. The MU and the C of S Guild in February 2009 issued a joint statement condemning the practice of sex trafficking, and commending the work of the International Justice Mission (IJM), and the Scottish Parliament’s promotion of this.
Women’s organisations
- SEC: Mother’s Union
- Ecumenical: The SEC is one of nine denominations which together make up Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS), and we have representation on their women’s committee – Network of Ecumenical Women (NEWS), and also on the Human Trafficking Working Group. Christian Aid; YWCA
- Amina: Muslim Women’s Resource Centre
- Secular: Engender; Scottish Women’s Aid.