The Committee for Dialogue on Canon III.8.1 discussed the ordination and ministry of ordained women in all dioceses of the Episcopal Church when it met April 17-19 in Pittsburgh.

The committee, formed following the 1994 General Convention, was appointed to engage in dialogue on the ordination and ministry of women in dioceses where ordination is presently unattainable and access to ministry is unavailable, and to consider the position of those who oppose the ordination of women.

The committee issued a "Summary of Discussion" in which it makes a recommendation for each of four resolves in General Convention resolution C004sa.

* Concerning opportunities for full access for women to ordination, the committee recommended adoption of a model now in place in the Diocese of Eau Claire:

"Candidates for ordination to the priesthood would be considered on their merits, without regard to their gender, and offered in the same manner as candidates presenting themselves for ordination at dioceses that currently ordain women," the recommendation stated. "If they were considered suitable candidates for ordination, and gained a favorable recommendation, the recommending diocese would agree to assist the candidate to enter the ordination process in an assisting diocese."

* Regarding the opportunities for ordained women to carry out their ministries in every diocese, the committee recommended "the canons be amended to provide that in those dioceses where the bishop is unable or unwilling to license (1) ordained women or (2) those ordained who are opposed to the ordination of women access to licensure will be provided by an alternative ecclesiastical authority." The committee recommended that authority be the bishop serving as president or vice president of that province.

The committee also urged the House of Bishops to adopt a stand opposing the imposition of sanctions or discipline upon any member of the clergy "who invites either a women, or those opposed to the ordination of women, to exercise their ministry."

* Addressing the third resolve, opportunities for congregations that desire the ministries of ordained women to have access to them in every diocese, the committee recommended that canons be amended "to provide that in those dioceses where women may not be currently called, and where those who oppose the ordination of women will not be called, that letters dimissory be issued by an alternate ecclesiastical authority, specifically the provincial bishop serving as the president or vice president of the province."

* The fourth recommendation of the committee addresses theological concerns of those who oppose the ordination of women. It calls for the canons to be amended "to provide that any congregation within a diocese, unable to avail itself of the sacramental services of its bishop because of the fact that its bishop is a woman, be permitted after consultation with the diocesan bishop serving as president or vice president to apply to the provincial president or vice president for the appointment of an alternate bishop to provide sacramental services."

The committee report contains a minority addendum which states that the report was incomplete because it was decided not to deal with the issue of episcopal visitors for parishes which feel they are in "impaired communion" with their diocesan bishops.