[MR] Women and the Early Church

[Grace Morris]

Also good reading:  _Sisters in Arms_.

Jessamyn

On 2/27/02 10:44 PM, "Costello53 at aol.com" <Costello53 at aol.com> wrote:

> Actually the early Christen Church drew much of its financial support from
> wealthy women.  And women could and did achieve the rank of bishop.  This
> situation arose from the fact that the early Church met in private homes and
> in the Greco-Roman cultural tradition, women had authority over what happened
> in the home, i.e the private sphere, while men exercised authority outside
> the home, in the farm and the law courts for example, i.e. the public arena.
> 
> It was only when Christianity "caught on" so to speak and moved from the
> private arena of the home to the public arena that women lost influence.  It
> was no accident
> that early church designs were based on the Roman basilica or law court.
> This was public space in bold capital letters and one where women had no
> direct influence.
> For a better overview of the history of the early Church see When Women Were
> Priests.  It is fascinating reading.
> 
> Lady Maire
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