GENDER AND SEXUALITY: Influences on the place of women in the Church and society

Question 1

Where in the New Testament is there evidence of women having authority in the Church?

Answer 1

Paul refers to Phoebe as a ‘deacon and patron of many’ in his letter to the Romans

Question 2

What was Augustine’s attitude to women?

Answer 2

The world was damned because of the sin of Eve

Question 3

What were women’s religious opportunities in the 5th century?

Answer 3

Convents offered women the opportunity to study and the arts e.g. Hildegarde of Bingen led a convent and wrote music, poetry and letters
Women banned from being deacons

Question 4

What was the woman’s position like in the 19th century?

Answer 4

Women expected to focus on the home and the education of children
In 1870 the Education Act provided universal primary education for boys and girls
Married women the property of their husbands
Women being employed away from the home