Creating alternatives at WATER

Catholic New Times, Nov 2, 2003 by Rosemary Ganley

In September, WATER, (Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual) celebrated its 20th anniversary in Silver Spring, Md., "jubilant about the many forms of collaboration with religious feminists around the world who seek faith-based social change together."

Writing in WATERWHEEL, the quarterly letter of the organization, co-founder Mary E. Hunt wrote of the lessons learned over 20 years.

"When we started in the spring of 1983, we had no game-plan; no blueprint. We made our way by going, as our Latin American sisters had counselled."

Hunt pointed to the fact that WATER has developed intellectual resources-books, lectures and workshops, and spiritual resources such as liturgies, counseling and prayer, so that "we can create strategic efforts at peace and justice."

She spoke of the commitment of WATER being sorely tried when war broke out in Iraq in spite of the world's protests. "We saw the proliferation of macho religious language and imagery to bolster the bellicose."

The group was struck by the predominance of male figures, even in the peace movement, and wondered whether anything they had done had made any difference.

"It is sure that we ourselves are different", she said, "than if we had done any other kind of work. WATER is a response to the need for women to do theology, ethical thinking and ritual unfettered by the constraints of patriarchal religion."

She and co-founder Dianne Neu "come from the Catholic tradition," and "in the 1980 there was simply no- where for us as Catholic feminists called to priesthood and prophecy to do out work."

Hunt said there is still no place in what she called the "kyriarchal church" (one ruled by lords).

Yet, "in out starting point over Deb's Cafeteria and Special Effects Hair Salon on 13th Street in Silver Spring, we have done all that out colleagues in academia and religious institutions have done, and then some."

Future feminist leaders from all over the world have trained at WATER, even though Hunt admits it has not had the hoped- for influence on patriarchal society and kyriarchal institutions. "We have carved out a place," she said, "at the margins, where we can live and work with integrity."

"Things would be worse without WATER. This may sound like a low threshold of expectations, but given the pernicious nature of unbridled corporate greed, unchallenged U.S. hegemony and unchecked religious fundamentalism of many stripes, it is energizing to realize what a contrast we provide."

WATER's budget is modest and proves that a little goes a long way.

"We are now an organization made up of people coming mainly from Christianity and then from Judaism and pagan groups. We are learning to be come multi- religious."

Most importantly, Hunt concluded "we have learned that it is fruitless to knock on the doors of patriarchal and kyriarchal institutions, and beg to he allowed in on their terms."

"Rather, it is fruitful to live the alternative, whether ordination, socialization of resources, or the like and let the good life speak for itself. We have seen too many women co-opted and too many people from minority groups be instrumentalized to recommend a tamer strategy."

Two Canadian women, Rira Patenaude and Elaine Guillemin of Toronto, attended the celebrations marking WATER's 20th year.