"What kind of picture would we hope to see when religious leaders gather 10 years from now?"

An empty auditorium. That's what I'd like to see. I realize that most likely won't happen.

That's not surprising, considering how hostile the Catholic Church is to women leading religious groups. Other than nuns, of course.

Personally, I'd like to see FULLY-ORDAINED WOMEN PRIESTS at the next Catholic Peace Conference. Sitting right there with their male counterparts. Because we can't rely on men to deal with women's issues. We have to articulate them in our own voices - even if it means shouting to be heard.

In the past, it has been that the major monotheistic religions have laid claim to an all male hierarchy.
The Western religions especially, have made it an issue of their respective faiths that only males can hold positions of power. But to the great chagrin of many of these people, there has been a resurgence, of women demanding power, that is rightfully theirs.
G-d, is neither male nor female, but is actually both, there is no distinction in G-d between the male and female of humankind.
The Hebrews, in their quest for the Holy Land, had with them the name of G-d, who is more than enough,the Hebrew name, El-Shaddai, literally meaning, the many-breasted one.
With the advent of the settlement of the Holy Land, the men of the Hebrew nation did away with any mention of the fact that there was in their past, worship of a female representation of G-d.
My point is this, that within the hierarchy, of these Western churches and faiths, that a resurgence of equality, for women and men, will lead to a better understanding of the true nature of G-d. There will be no more bickering, regarding who is right and wrong, tolerance will prevail and the people of G-d, will see an atmosphere of love and respect pervade even the minds that are extremely closed.
To many, this may seem, such hog-wash and a pie-
in-the-sky, nonsensical dream that cannot be accomplished. But, in my journey through life, I have learned that with G-d, all things are possible. That there is nothing, that cannot be achieved with the minds and hearts of many united to reach an equitable and reasonable goal.
We as men, must take a stand for the women, who are called to serve, not in just one function or another, but who are called to lead, to be out in the front on issues of faith and the knowledge of G-d. We men, must not stand for intolerance and prejudice reigning in our homes and nations, but especially in the place where it counts most, the place where we as children of the living G-d meet and pray, and also learn about the nature of G-d.

The disenfranchising of women is ingrained in our culture - not just American culture - but human culture.
Ohg
http://thefiresidepost.com/2007/11/26/surnames-are-sacred-cows/