Shattering the Stained-Glass Ceiling

The Christian Century has Adelle Banks' report on the milestones -- and continued resistance -- faced by women clergy in mainline Protestant denominations:

Adair Lummis, a sociologist of religion and an expert on women clergy at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, applauds the new steps by mainline Protestant churches. But she offers a "don't just relax" caution.

"Just because you have more women and you're having these milestone celebrations, please remember that in some denominations . . . there were more women ordained 50 years ago than there are now," she said.