From the Director’s Desk…

Thanks to you, an estimated 2000 Advancing Women in Church Leadership Surveys  have been returned to date. Statistical analysis of the data begins in July, and we expect to have the results available by September. We’ll keep you posted!

Our Open Letter to Bishop Wuerl, sent with our annual Pentecost mailing and published as a full page ad the National Catholic Reporter, resulted in 2000 responses to date. The letter asked Bishop Wuerl, as a member of the Post Synod Exhortation Committee to request Pope Benedict to open discussion of mandatory celibacy and women deacons.  Bishop Wuerl was just named to the Archdiocese of Washington, DC.  When I telephoned his secretary for an appointment last week she told me that because of his recent appointment, there is a very slim chance we will be able to deliver the letters to Bishop Wuerl in person.  She also mentioned that they had received many letters in his office and promised to forward my emailed request for a meeting.

The Great Office Search is under way.  Thanks to your generous response we raised enough money to cover moving expenses and increased office costs for the next twelve months.  We especially appreciate your  heartfelt notes and comments.  We haven’t settled on a location yet, but an active search is moving full steam ahead. We hope to be in our new office by August first.