"Mercy Amba Oduyoye, from Ghana, founded the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians and is the first African woman from south of the Sahara to have served as deputy general secretary of the World Council of Churches. The essays in this volume describe the key contributions she has made to African theology in our time, and then apply her insights to issues of scripture, health and poverty, and women as peacemakers". -- back cover.
Contents divided into five main parts: Celebrating Mercy Amba Ewudziwa Oduyoye -- African Women, the Bible and Health -- Women as Traditional Healers in Africa -- African Women's Experiences of Health and Healing, Endurance and Peacemaking -- Postscript.
Contents: Acknowledgements -- Preface / Elizabeth Amoah -- Introduction : "Treading Softly but Firmly": African Women, Religion and Health / Isabel Apawo Phiri and Sarojini Nadar -- Part I: Celebrating Mercy Amba Ewudziwa Oduyoye -- 1. Beads and Strands: Threading More Beads in the Story of the Circle / Musimbi R.A. Kanyoro -- 2. Mercy Amba Oduyoye: Wise Woman Bearing Gifts / Letty M. Russell -- 3. Let's Celebrate the Power of Naming / Nyambura J. Njoroge -- Part II: African Women, the Bible and Health -- 4. "Texts of Terror": The Conspiracy of Rape in the Bible, Church, and Society: The Case of Esther 2:1-8 / Sarojini Nadar -- 5. Women and Health in Ghana and the Trokosi Practice: An Issue of Women's and Children's Rights in 2 Kings 4:1-7 / Dorothy B.E.A. Akoto -- Part III: Women as Traditional Healers in Africa -- 6. Dealing with the Trauma of Sexual Abuse: A Gender-based Analysis of the Testimonies of Female Traditional Healers in KwaZulu-Natal / Isabel Apawo Phiri -- 7. Adinkra !: Four Hearts Joined Together: On Becoming Healing-Teachers of African Indigenous Religion/s in HIV and AIDS Prevention / Musa W. Dube -- 8. Women as Healers: The Nigerian (Yoruba) Example / Dorcas Olubanke Akintunde -- Part IV: African Women's Experiences of Health and Healing, Endurance and Peacemaking -- 9. Women, Poverty, and HIV in Zimbabwe: An Exploration of Inequalities in Health Care / Sophia Chirongoma -- 10. Women and Peacemaking: The Challenge of a Non-Violent Life / Susan Rakoczy -- 11. Stand Up and Walk, Daughter of My People: Consecrated Sisters of the Church / Sr. M. Bernadette Mbuy Beya -- 12. From Mere Existence to Tenacious Endurance: Stigma, HIV/AIDS and a Feminist Theology of Praxis / Denise M. Ackermann -- 13. Navigating Experiences of Healing: A Narrative Theology of Eschatological Hope as Healing / Fulata Lusungu Moyo -- Part V: Postscript -- 14. Daughters of Ethiopia: Constructing a Feminist Discourse in Ebony Strokes / Ogbu U. Kalu -- Contributors.
"Edited by John S. Pobee and Barbel von Wartenberg-Potter".
Includes bibliographical references.
This book "is a third-world contribution to women's theology. The reflections and essays included in the book are all by women, women from Africa, Asia and Latin America. As they read the Bible and look at their role in church and society with new eyes, they gain new insights, experience a new freedom and come to a new commitment. Their contributions are `part of an ongoing dialogue between women in the ecumenical movement about their responsibility to further the ecumenical debate and to renew their own churches'." -- back cover.
Contents: Preface -- The Woman Who Decided to Break the Rules / Elizabeth Amoah -- The Woman Who Complicated the History of Salvation / Elsa Tamez -- One Woman's Confession of Faith / Lee Oo Chung -- Liberation, Theology and Women / Julia Esquivel -- Reversing the Natural Order / Maria Assaad -- Living Stones / Grace Eneme -- Water in the Slums / Maria Teresa Porcile S. -- Our Presence among the Poor / Priscillia Padolina -- Birth / Mercy Oduyoye -- New Testament Reflections on Political Power / Elizabeth Dominguez -- A Letter to Job / Elsa Tamez -- Two Christmas Stories : Born to her a son / Aruna Gnanadason -- The Beating of a young heart / Mahat Farah El-Khoury -- Woman, For How Long Not ? / Bette Ekeya -- Churchwomen and the Church's Mission / Mercy Oduyoye -- Mission of Women in the Church in Asia : Role and Position / Virginia Fabella -- God Weeps with our Pain / Kwok Pui Lain -- "Women that Make Asia Alive" / Marianne Katoppo -- God in Man's Image / Louise Kumandjek Tappa.
"These papers bring together and attempt to relate three of the most important topics in today's world -- women, religion and social change. They emerged out of an international, inter-religious conference on Women, Religion and Social Change, held in June 1983 at Harvard University". -- Intro.
Contents: Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Part One: Speaking from Experience: Women in the Midst of Conflict -- Christian Women and the Struggle for Justice in Central America / Julia Esquivel -- Amada Pineda: A Woman of Nicaragua / Elsa Tamez -- Priorities for Women in South Africa / Brigalia Bam -- Assault on the Family in South Africa / Bernadette Mosala -- "May God's Peace, Mercy and Blessings Be Unto You" / Jean Zaru -- A Jewish Perspective from Israel / Shulamith Koenig -- Part Two: Changing Traditional Roles: Religion and the Image of Women -- The Myth of Perfect Motherhood: Japanese Women's Dilemma / Masako Tanaka -- Women. Witches and Social Change in Ghana / Elizabeth Amoah -- Femininity as Subversion: Reflections on the Muslim Concept of Nushaz / Fatima Mernissi -- The Image Inside: Women and Profession in a Socialist Country / Elisabeth Adler -- Part Three: Changing Leadership Roles: Religious Institutions and Women's Challenge -- The Wife/Sister Stories: Dilemmas of the Jewish Feminist / Judith Plaskow -- "Which me will survive all these liberations .." On Being a Black Woman Episcopal Priest / Sandra Wilson -- Women, Ordination and the Christian Church / Daphne Hampson -- The Future of the Bhikkuni Samgha in Thailand / Chatsumarn Kabilsingh -- The Status Elevation Process of Soto Sect Nuns in Modern Japan / Kumiko Uchino -- Part Four: Organising for Social Change -- Lakshmi Ashram: A Gandhian Perspective in the Himalayan Foothills / Radha Bhatt -- The Grassroots Movement in the Netherlands: The Community Called "Giordano Bruno" / Jose Hohne-Sparborth -- Muslim Women and Social Change in Indonesia: The Work of Aisyiyah / Baroroh Baried -- Part Five: Deciding on Moral Issues: The Case of Abortion -- A Theology of Pro-Choice: A Feminist Perspective on Abortion / Beverly W. Harrison -- Notes on the Moral Foundations of the Debate on Abortion / Veena Das -- A Different Voice in Moral Decisions / Carol Gilligan -- Part Six: Building a Common Foundation for Social Change -- Toward a Practical Ethic of Non-violence / Sissela Bok -- Toward Permanent Rebellion / Sylvia Marcos -- Toward Women's Power, Nationally and Internationally / Nawal el Saadawi -- Gandhian Contributions Toward a Feminist Ethic / Devaki Jain -- Appendix: Violence and Non-violence: A Discussion -- Notes on Contributors.
Anglican contributors include: Sandra Wilson (Episcopal Church) and Daphne Hampson (Church of England).
"These papers bring together and attempt to relate three of the most important topics in today's world -- women, religion and social change. They emerged out of an international, inter-religious conference on Women, Religion and Social Change, held in June 1983 at Harvard University". -- Intro.
Contents: Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Part One: Speaking from Experience: Women in the Midst of Conflict -- Christian Women and the Struggle for Justice in Central America / Julia Esquivel -- Amada Pineda: A Woman of Nicaragua / Elsa Tamez -- Priorities for Women in South Africa / Brigalia Bam -- Assault on the Family in South Africa / Bernadette Mosala -- "May God's Peace, Mercy and Blessings Be Unto You" / Jean Zaru -- A Jewish Perspective from Israel / Shulamith Koenig -- Part Two: Changing Traditional Roles: Religion and the Image of Women -- The Myth of Perfect Motherhood: Japanese Women's Dilemma / Masako Tanaka -- Women. Witches and Social Change in Ghana / Elizabeth Amoah -- Femininity as Subversion: Reflections on the Muslim Concept of Nushaz / Fatima Mernissi -- The Image Inside: Women and Profession in a Socialist Country / Elisabeth Adler -- Part Three: Changing Leadership Roles: Religious Institutions and Women's Challenge -- The Wife/Sister Stories: Dilemmas of the Jewish Feminist / Judith Plaskow -- "Which me will survive all these liberations .." On Being a Black Woman Episcopal Priest / Sandra Wilson -- Women, Ordination and the Christian Church / Daphne Hampson -- The Future of the Bhikkuni Samgha in Thailand / Chatsumarn Kabilsingh -- The Status Elevation Process of Soto Sect Nuns in Modern Japan / Kumiko Uchino -- Part Four: Organising for Social Change -- Lakshmi Ashram: A Gandhian Perspective in the Himalayan Foothills / Radha Bhatt -- The Grassroots Movement in the Netherlands: The Community Called "Giordano Bruno" / Jose Hohne-Sparborth -- Muslim Women and Social Change in Indonesia: The Work of Aisyiyah / Baroroh Baried -- Part Five: Deciding on Moral Issues: The Case of Abortion -- A Theology of Pro-Choice: A Feminist Perspective on Abortion / Beverly W. Harrison -- Notes on the Moral Foundations of the Debate on Abortion / Veena Das -- A Different Voice in Moral Decisions / Carol Gilligan -- Part Six: Building a Common Foundation for Social Change -- Toward a Practical Ethic of Non-violence / Sissela Bok -- Toward Permanent Rebellion / Sylvia Marcos -- Toward Women's Power, Nationally and Internationally / Nawal el Saadawi -- Gandhian Contributions Toward a Feminist Ethic / Devaki Jain -- Appendix: Violence and Non-violence: A Discussion -- Notes on Contributors.
Anglican contributors include: Sandra Wilson (Episcopal Church) and Daphne Hampson (Church of England).
With passion and compassion : third world women doing theology : reflections from the Women's Commission of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians
"Edited by Virginia Fabella, M.M. and Mercy Amba Oduyoye".
Papers from International Women's Conference sponsored by EATWOT whose theme was "Doing Theology from Third World Women's Perspective".
"Those who brought to birth this volume of essays are women from the Third World. .... We, the women who came together in Oaxtepec, Mexico, in December of 1986 to reflect on what it means to do theology from Third World women's perspective .... The papers presented in this volume have come from a process which began in New Delhi, India, at the first assembly of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians, in 1981. .... We demanded to be heard. The result was the creation within EATWOT of a Women's Commission, and not a Commission on Women as some of the male members would have it. .... The preparatory work that led to the Intercontinental Women's Conference held in Oaxtepec, Mexico, on December 1-6, 1986, began with national meetings on the three continents of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. .... The papers presented in this volume have all been presented in some form during one of the three phases of the process". -- Intro., p. ix-x.
Contents: Foreword / Katie G. Cannon -- Introduction / Virginia Fabella and Mercy Amba Oduyoye -- Part One: Africa -- Church Women of Africa: A Theological Community / Rosemary Edet and Bette Ekeya -- Women and Men Building Together the Church in Africa / Dorothy Ramodibe -- The Christ-Event from the Viewpoint of Africa Women: I. A Catholic Perspective / Therese Souga -- II. A Protestant Perspective / Louise Tappa -- The Christ for African Women / Elizabeth Amoah and Mercy Amba Oduyoye -- Women in the Bible / Teresa Okure -- Final Statements: I. Recommendations (Yaounde, Cameroun, 1986) -- II. Communiqué (Port Harcourt, Nigeria, 1986) -- Part Two: Asia -- Women's Oppression: A Sinful Situation / Aruna Gnanadason -- Emerging Spirituality of Asian Women / Mary John Mananzan and Susan Ai Park -- New Ways of Being a Church: I. A Catholic Perspective / Christine Tse -- II. A Protestant Perspective / Yong Tin Jin -- A Common Methodology for Diverse Christologies ? / Virginia Fabella -- Final Statement: Asian Church Women Speak (Manila, Philippines, Nov. 21-30, 1985) -- Part Three: Latin America -- Women Doing Theology in Latin America / Ivone Gebara -- Women's Experience of God in Emerging Spirituality / Luz Beatriz Arellano -- Women's Participation in the Church: I. A Protestant Perspective / Nelly Ritchie -- II. A Catholic Perspective / Maria Pilar Aquino -- Feminist Theology as the Fruit of Passion and Compassion / Ana Maria Tepedino -- Women's Reading of the Bible / Elsa Tamez -- Final Statement: Latin American Conference on Theology from the Perspective of Women (Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 1985) -- Final Document: Intercontinental Women's Conference (Oaxtepec, Mexico, Dec. 1-6, 1986) -- Contributors.
With passion and compassion : third world women doing theology : reflections from the Women's Commission of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians
"Edited by Virginia Fabella, M.M. and Mercy Amba Oduyoye".
Papers from International Women's Conference sponsored by EATWOT whose theme was "Doing Theology from Third World Women's Perspective".
"Those who brought to birth this volume of essays are women from the Third World. .... We, the women who came together in Oaxtepec, Mexico, in December of 1986 to reflect on what it means to do theology from Third World women's perspective .... The papers presented in this volume have come from a process which began in New Delhi, India, at the first assembly of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians, in 1981. .... We demanded to be heard. The result was the creation within EATWOT of a Women's Commission, and not a Commission on Women as some of the male members would have it. .... The preparatory work that led to the Intercontinental Women's Conference held in Oaxtepec, Mexico, on December 1-6, 1986, began with national meetings on the three continents of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. .... The papers presented in this volume have all been presented in some form during one of the three phases of the process". -- Intro., p. ix-x.
Contents: Foreword / Katie G. Cannon -- Introduction / Virginia Fabella and Mercy Amba Oduyoye -- Part One: Africa -- Church Women of Africa: A Theological Community / Rosemary Edet and Bette Ekeya -- Women and Men Building Together the Church in Africa / Dorothy Ramodibe -- The Christ-Event from the Viewpoint of Africa Women: I. A Catholic Perspective / Therese Souga -- II. A Protestant Perspective / Louise Tappa -- The Christ for African Women / Elizabeth Amoah and Mercy Amba Oduyoye -- Women in the Bible / Teresa Okure -- Final Statements: I. Recommendations (Yaounde, Cameroun, 1986) -- II. Communiqué (Port Harcourt, Nigeria, 1986) -- Part Two: Asia -- Women's Oppression: A Sinful Situation / Aruna Gnanadason -- Emerging Spirituality of Asian Women / Mary John Mananzan and Susan Ai Park -- New Ways of Being a Church: I. A Catholic Perspective / Christine Tse -- II. A Protestant Perspective / Yong Tin Jin -- A Common Methodology for Diverse Christologies ? / Virginia Fabella -- Final Statement: Asian Church Women Speak (Manila, Philippines, Nov. 21-30, 1985) -- Part Three: Latin America -- Women Doing Theology in Latin America / Ivone Gebara -- Women's Experience of God in Emerging Spirituality / Luz Beatriz Arellano -- Women's Participation in the Church: I. A Protestant Perspective / Nelly Ritchie -- II. A Catholic Perspective / Maria Pilar Aquino -- Feminist Theology as the Fruit of Passion and Compassion / Ana Maria Tepedino -- Women's Reading of the Bible / Elsa Tamez -- Final Statement: Latin American Conference on Theology from the Perspective of Women (Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 1985) -- Final Document: Intercontinental Women's Conference (Oaxtepec, Mexico, Dec. 1-6, 1986) -- Contributors.
"The World Council of Churches' Sub-unit on Women has been involved for several years in a multi-faith study on 'Female Sexuality and Bodily Functions in Different Religions. The papers presented in this book come out of that study. They deal with the attitude to women in general and to female sexuality in particular in the Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Jewish and Christian traditions, and in the concepts and practices of the Akan in Ghana". -- back cover.
Contents: Foreword / Bertrice Wood, Moderator, Working Group Sub-unit on Women in Church and Society -- Introduction / Marie Assaad -- Female Sexuality and Bodily Functions in the Jewish Tradition / Blu Greenberg -- Women and Sexuality: Traditions and Progress / Pnina Nave Levinson -- Hindu Perceptions of Auspiciousness and Sexuality / Vasudha Narayanan -- An Islamic Perspective / Riffat Hassan -- Femaleness: Akan Concepts and Practices / Elizabeth Amoah -- Buddhist Attitudes: A Woman's Perspective / Junko Minamoto -- Orthodoxy and Women: A Romanian Perspective / Anca-Lucia Manolache -- Orthodoxy and Women in France / Elizabeth Behr-Sigel and Nicole Maillard -- Roman Catholic Teachings on Female Sexuality / Maria-Teresa Porcile-Santiso -- Catholicism, Women, Body and Sexuality: A Response / Rosemary Radford Ruether -- Attitudes to Female Sexuality in the Anglican Church in New Zealand / Janet Crawford -- Sexual Ethics and the Church: A Response / Carter Heyward -- Contributors.
Colophon: Printed in Switzerland.
Contributors Janet Crawford and Carter Heyward are Anglican.
A "seminar 'Women in Dialogue: Wholeness of Vision towards the 21st Century', held in Bossey, outside Geneva from 29 April to 8 May 1994. The seminar was organized by the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, along with the women's programmes of the World Council of Churches, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation and Conference of European Churches, as a contribution to the process of marking the midpoint of the Ecumenical Decade -- Churches in Solidarity with Women (1988-1998). The [18] essays in this book are drawn from the presentations made at this seminar". -- Intro., p. viii.
Contents: Theology from the perspective of African women / Elizabeth Amoah -- Challenges for feminist theology in Francophone Africa / Marguerite Fassinou -- Cultural hermeneutics: an African contribution / Musimbi Kanyoro -- Feminist theology in Asia: an overview / Mary-John Mananzan -- A Short history of Asian feminist theology / Sun Ai Lee-Park -- An Asian feminist ecclesiology / Marlene Perera -- Reflections on European feminist theology / Isabelle Graessle -- Women in Peru: making the invisible visible / Rosanna Panizo -- Feminist theology in Brazil / Rosangela Soares de Oliveira -- Latin American feminist hermeneutics: a retrospective / Elsa Tamez / Re-Imagining: a new stage in US feminist theology / Elizabeth Bettenhausen -- Reflections on white feminist theology in the United States / Letty M. Russell -- Womanist theology / Delores S. Williams -- Feminist theology in Canada / Dorcas Gordon -- Feminist homiletics: strategies for empowerment / Carol J. Schlueter -- Feminist ecclesiology: an Orthodox perspective from Australia / Leonie B. Liveris -- Seeking dialogue with the church: Christian women in the Middle East / Mary Mikhael -- Feminist theology: a view from the Pacific / Marie Ropeti -- Women in Dialogue : Wholeness of Vision towards the 21st Century : The Message from the Bossey Seminar -- Contributors.
Includes chapter by a Canadian Presbyterian, Dorcas Gordon. No chapters by self-identified Anglicans.