Cherie in warning to churches over ‘invisible’ women

From the London Times-

CHERIE BLAIR has urged the Anglican and Catholic churches to stop “marginalising” women or face terminal decline.

“Today, while women remain marginalised, Christianity cannot flourish. Women and men must be equal partners for 21st century Christianity,” she said.

Her forthright remarks, in a programme she presents tonight on Channel 4, marks an escalation in her campaign to change the culture of the church.

She is one of the most influential lay figures in the church, a position which has been enhanced by her husband’s conversion to Catholicism after he stepped down as prime minister.

Blair points out in the programme that it is women who have traditionally passed religion on to their children. “But when it comes to the public face of Christianity, now women are virtually invisible,” she adds.

“Down the centuries, women have formed the backbone of faith communities,” she says. “Until the churches fully resolve their relationship with the female half of the population, how can they expect Christianity to have a future in the modern world?”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5821879.ece