| The purpose of this work is to examine the personal narratives used by female Episcopal priests to validate and explain their work and their relationship with the organization to which they belong. Communication scholars recognize that organizational members use narratives or stories to understand the institution to which they belong (Czarniawska, 1997). Narratives are shared among the members to compare experiences, to create culture, and to indoctrinate new members. The Episcopal Church also makes vocational narrative one of the criteria for membership. The Episcopal Church was the last mainline protestant religious organization to accept women as members of the clergy and clerical offices. The federal government of the United States does not regulate hiring practices because the separation of church and state exempts religious organizations from mandated inclusionary hiring. In 1974, a self-identified ad hoc group of women participated in an irregular ordination in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to protest this discriminatory condition, and force a reluctant system to recognize their calling to the priesthood. Since then, female priests have had experiences which are formulated into narratives which need to be acknowledged and analyzed. The women who participated in this study were from the north central to mid-Atlantic regions; their ages ranged from mid-twenties to over seventy. They have served the church in roles ranging from deacons, vicars, counselors, to bishop and Presiding Bishop. Their narratives encompass such topics as recognition of the vocation, training and education, seminary experiences, leadership styles and concerns, family concerns, as well as harassment and discrimination.;Their life stories closed with discussions about their current situations and again most of them had achieved a degree of satisfaction, respect, and recognition within their chosen field. They shared stories about their congregations and families which illustrated a personal satisfaction or appreciation for their current situation. This does not mean that several do not have goals or interest in moving up in the organization, but that they acknowledge what they have achieved so far. |
