In November 1992 – the sudden death of ELCL archbishop Kārlis Gailītis.
On 26 January 1993 an extraordinary Synod of the ELCL was held, at which pastor Jānis Vanags was elected archbishop of the ELCL; in standing for election he expressed his conviction against women’s ordination.
This decision most directly affects the ELCL women pastors and the students of the UL Faculty of Theology who are among the 20 on the list of clergy. It is in contradiction with the decision of the 14th ELCL Synod and its positive vote in favour of women’s ordination.
In 1992 the following served in the ELCL: pastor Vaira Bitēna (in the Katrīna, Lēdurga and Saulkrasti-Pēterupe congregations), pastor Sarmīte Fišere(in the Carnikava and Ogre congregations), pastor Valda Krūmāja (in the Dundaga and Ģipka congregations), pastor Aida Prēdele (in the Drusti congregation), pastor Austra Reine (from the USA, at the invitation of K. Gailītis – in the Piltene and Užava congregations), assistant pastor Railvija Rozīte (in the Puze congregation), pastor Dace Rubļevska (in the Kuldīga St. Anne, Ēdole and Vārme congregations), pastor Berta Stroža(vicar of the Consistory), pastor emerita Aleksandra Dombure, pastor emerita Irma Kalēja. Students of the Faculty of Theology serving by the archbishop’s assignment: Gija Brokāne (in the Zaube congregation), Ivanda Ceijere (in the Augstroze congregation), Māra Dzērve (at the disposal of Kandava dean A. Ālers in the Tukums congregation), Zilgme Eglīte (in the Penkule congregation), Sandra Rozenberga (in the Jaunjelgava and Daudzese congregations), Anita Tukiša (in the Valdemārpils congregation), Marika Vidiņa (in the Bolderāja congregation), Aija Zvirbule (in the Straupe congregation). Serving in congregations without the archbishop’s assignment are theology students Indra Skuja (in the Riga Luther and Garkalne congregations under the direction of pastor J. Rubenis), Dace Jaunzeme (vicar of the Sēlpils district), as well as those who, responding to the call, have begun studies at the FT.
At the beginning of March 1993 the ELCL Consistory adopts a decision to hold one more extraordinary Synod on 15 and 16 June, in order to decide on the need to take part in the Grand Synod on 30 June 1993.
The LELBĀL perceives this Consistory decision to hold an additional Synod before the Grand Synod, in order to assess whether participation in the Grand Synod is necessary, as a refusal, since in the remaining two weeks between the ELCL Synod and the Grand Synod it is not possible to organise the travel of the American and Australian synod members.
In 1993, from 18 to 20 March, the LELBĀL Central Administration, in a plenary session at Katskiļi, unanimously resolves: in Part A, to recognise that all LELBĀL congregations and regions wish to continue restoring a unified Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, and that therefore the Central Administration must continue negotiations on the formation of a common structure and must agree to postpone the holding of the Grand Synod to the planned Congregation Days in 1995; in Part B, to recognise that, before forming a unified structure, agreement must be reached on the question of women’s ordination.
Commenting on Part B of the LELBĀL decision, Dean E. E. Rozītis writes: “Part B of the decision mentions a very serious question, namely, women’s ordination. As shown by the unanimous vote of the Church Central Administration in favour of appointing Ieva Graufelde to the office of dean, all members of the Church Central Administration are in favour of ordaining women to the office of pastor. The LELBĀL knows itself to be united with archbishop T. Grīnbergs and the archbishops of the homeland, Dr. J. Matulis and K. Gailītis, who three months before his death took part in the installation of bishop Maria Jepsen, recognising it as a special gift of God’s grace. Outside Latvia, in 1993, 15 ordained women serve, that is, nearly half of the pastors up to the age of 50.”
On 21 March 1993 at Katskiļi the LELBĀL Central Administration grants the request of Dean L. Čuibe to retire into emeritus status and elects Ieva Graufelde, the first Latvian woman dean, as dean of the LELBĀL in Sweden. She is installed in office by Dean V. Vārsbergs.
In June 1993 pastor Dr. Egils Grīslis, pastor Ilze Kuplēna and dean Ieva Graufelde meet at the Consistory in order to begin talks with archbishop Jānis Vanags on women’s ordination.
In the spring of 1994 professor Roberts Akmentiņš, dean of the restored UL FT and an encourager of women in theological studies, is called into eternity.
On 6 April 1994 an extraordinary Synod of the ELCL is held, at which the new members of the Consistory and the members of the Audit Commission are elected. Presidium of the Consistory: archbishop J. Vanags, dean E. Bikše, dean V. Pirro. Councillors of the Consistory: J. Rubenis, M. Plāte, A. Beimanis, U. Jumejs, A. Kavacis, J. Bērziņš. Audit Commission: T. Rēdmanis, A. Rāviņs, A. Vaickovskis.
On 1 May 1994 the newly elected archbishop E. E. Rozītis is consecrated bishop of the LELBĀL. As a sign of continuity, E. E. Rozītis is presented with the cross, crosier and vestments of archbishop Teodors Grīnbergs. Both male and female pastors take part in the consecration service, including archbishop J. Vanags. Archbishop E. E. Rozītis is consecrated by bishop H. Svenungsons from Sweden.
On 1 September 1994 the newly elected dean Vilis Vārsbergs begins to lead the UL FT. Among the graduates of the UL Faculty of Theology are six women: Zane Blaumane, Ivanda Ceijere, Sandra Gintere, Sandra Rozenberga, Elizabete Taivāne and Marika Vidiņa.
On 5 September 1994 the ELCL Consistory adopts a resolution against the practice and propaganda of homosexuality.
In September 1994 four students of the Faculty of Theology, Zane Blaumane, Kristīne Sūna, Sandra Rozenberga and Anželika Zorina, are invited to the Nordic conference of women pastors in Gothenburg. There they have the opportunity to meet the first woman bishop of the Church of Norway, Rosemarie Köhn. There follows an offer from the Stockholm diocese of the Church of Sweden for seven students of the Faculty of Theology to do a month’s placement in congregations. Among them are the later LELBĀL ordained pastors Z. Blaumane, K. Sūna, I. Pušmacāne, S. Rozenberga and A. Rozenberga.
On 22 January 1995 after passing the examinations of the LELBĀL ordination commission, the first UL FT graduate, Zane Blaumane, born in 1968, is ordained. Alongside her studies at the University of London, she begins serving as a vicar in the LELBĀL in Great Britain.
In 1995, from 20 to 22 February, a meeting of the leaders of the ELCL and the LELBĀL is held at Jaunmokas Manor. Topics of discussion: the Porvoo document, the liturgy and the Hymnal.
In February 1995 a meeting of Latvian Lutheran women theologians with the bishop of the North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Maria Jepsen, is held in Riga.
On 29 March 1995 the pastors’ conference “The Porvoo document and the ELCL’s understanding of the spiritual office” takes place. The final word on acceptance is postponed to the next Synod.
On 7 May 1995 after passing the examinations of the LELBĀL ordination commission, the UL FT graduate Gija Brokāne is ordained to the office of deacon in the LELBĀL; she had previously served, by the assignment of archbishop K. Gailītis, in the ELCL congregations of Zaube and Madliena. G. Brokāne has been called to ministry by the Oregon and Tacoma congregations. In place of Gija Brokāne in the Madliena congregation, responding to the invitation of the congregation’s chairwoman, UL FT student I. Vintere begins her ministry under the supervision of the pastor of the Riga Luther congregation, J. Rubenis.
On 16 May 1995 in Riga, pastor emerita Irma Kalēja passes into eternity; after her studies at the ELCL Theological Seminary, she was ordained to the office of pastor in 1981 by archbishop Jānis Matulis. She had put much strength and energy into her ministry at the Strazde church, as well as in the Liepāja and Salaspils congregations.
In 1995, from 14 to 18 June, the Deutscher Ev. Kirchentag in Hamburg takes place in Hamburg. There dean Ieva Graufelde reports on the situation regarding the question of women’s ordination in the ELCL and the LELBĀL. A panel discussion takes place between the North Elbian bishop M. Jepsen and the ELCL archbishop J. Vanags. UL FT students I. Ezerniece, I. Vintere, I. Geidāne and K. Sūna also attend the events of the Kirchentag.
On 17 July 1995 the Latvian Lutheran Women Theologians’ Association (LLWTA) is founded in Riga. Eighteen women theologians take part in the founding meeting. Of them, seven are pastors: Vaira Bitēna, Berta Stroža, Sarmīte Fišere, Austra Reine, Ilze Grenze, Inese Radziņa, Anita Vārsberga, as well as deacon Vija Klīve, the serving theology students Marika Vidiņa, Dace Jaunzeme, Sandra Rozenberga, the theology students Kristīne Sūna, Aiva Rozenberga, Ilze Ezerniece, Ilze Geidāne, Ieva Vintere and Dace Vidruska. The aim of the association is to foster mutual support and fellowship at a time when women are being pushed out of the fellowship of the Church, and to organise educational events to inform the public about the ministry of women and men in the Church. The first ordained woman in Latvia, Vaira Bitēna, is elected president of the association, and Sarmīte Fišere and Austra Reine its vice-presidents.
On 17 and 18 July 1995 at Ēdole, the regular conference of the leaders of the ELCL and the LELBĀL is held, at which questions concerning theological education and the spiritual office are discussed.
On 9 August 1995 after the examinations of the LELBĀL ordination commission, the UL FT graduate Kristīne Sūna is ordained to the office of pastor; she continues her theological studies at the University of Oxford and, upon completing them, returns to Latvia.
On 21 August 1995 after the examinations of the LELBĀL ordination commission, the UL FT graduate Zilgme Eglīte is ordained to the office of pastor in the LELBĀL; she had previously served, by the assignment of archbishop K. Gailītis, in the ELCL Penkule congregation. Zilgme is studying at the Catholic University of Leuven and serves the Latvian congregation in Brussels, Belgium.
On 21 August 1995 the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Women’s Association (LELWA) is founded.
On 22 August 1995 a commemorative service dedicated to the 20th anniversary of women’s ordination is held at Riga Cathedral, organised by the LLWTA, in which all the ordained ELCL women pastors and serving students take part. Archbishop J. Vanags is also invited, but he does not honour this service with his presence. ELCL archbishop E. E. Rozītis and a few ELCL pastors of the older, middle and younger generations take part. A book dedicated to this anniversary is published, “Go and Tell!” (Ogre Ev. Luth. congregation, 1995), whose initiator is Sarmīte Fišere. A supplement to the “Neatkarīgā Rīta Avīze” newspaper dedicated to this topic is issued, edited by Marika Vidiņa and Indra Skuja.
On 28 and 29 August 1995 a pastors’ conference on the Porvoo document takes place. The bishop of Oslo takes part.
On 17 September 1995 for the first time in the history of the ELCL, an installation into the office of evangelist takes place. After a 16-month course, 34 evangelists are installed in office, including 14 women evangelists: Laura Dille (serving in the Gulbene congregation), Indra Evamois, Vineta Freimane (serving in the Liepāja St. Anne congregation), Sandra Gintere (studying at the UL FT), Guna Hvoinska (Liepāja St. Anne congregation), Guna Jostsone (Mazsalaca congregation), Inga Kulmane (Liepāja Christian kindergarten), Indra Lodiņa (Kuldīga St. Anne congregation), Ilze Elizabete Ozoliņa (Riga Luther congregation), Skaidrīte Putniņa (Jēkabpils congregation), Margarita Rudjaka (Jaungulbene congregation), Agrita Staško (Kuldīga St. Catherine congregation), Daiga Umere (Rūjiena St. Bartholomew congregation), Elīza Zikmane (Kalnciems congregation, studying at the UL FT).
On 29 October 1995 Sandra Rozenberga, a UL FT graduate who had previously served in the Jaunjelgava congregation, is ordained in the LELBĀL.
On 16 January 1996 the 18th ELCL Synod resolves to continue the discussions on the Porvoo document and the question of women’s ordination (without adopting a final position). J. Vanags is re-elected archbishop of the ELCL.
In 1996 the bishop of the Church of Sweden, Henrik Svenungson, on the basis of the decisions and recommendations of the LWF and following his own conviction, proposes two support measures. The first – a seminar for ELCL women pastors, the second – for women theology students. Taking part in a week-long visit and training seminar in the Stockholm/Uppsala diocese are: pastor Dace Rubļevska, serving theologian Marika Vidiņa, pastor Austra Reine, serving theologian Indra Skuja, pastor Vaira Bitēna and pastor Sarmīte Fišere. Taking part in the seminar for women theology students are I. Pušmucāne, L. Puriņa-Purīte, I. Kļaviņa, I. Ezerniece, I. Geidāne and I. Druviņa.
On 20 April 1996 the Theological Commission established by the ELCL Consistory to study the question of women’s ordination convenes for the first time. Members of the commission: pastors A. Bite, J. Cālītis, D. Rubļevska, N. Kamergrauzis, G. Kalme and archbishop J. Vanags.
On 7 May 1996 the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Women’s Association organises an international theological conference “The Place and Role of Women in the Church”.
In 1996, from 9 to 14 May, the LLWTA organises the 2nd European conference of women theologians, which takes place at the “Vaivari” rehabilitation centre.
On 6 September 1996 the pastor of the Dole-Ķekava and Bulduri congregations, Ilārs Plūme, declares the breaking of altar and pulpit fellowship with the ELCL.
On 8 September 1996 a solemn service is held at Tallinn Cathedral, at which the leaders of the Lutheran and Anglican Churches of the Scandinavian and Baltic countries sign the Porvoo Declaration, proclaiming fellowship among these Churches. The Lutheran Churches of Denmark and Latvia do not sign the Porvoo Declaration. The ELCL delegation takes part in the solemn ceremony in observer status.
In 1997, from 6 to 16 January, the ELCL archbishop J. Vanags is on an official visit to the USA and visits the church of the Missouri Synod, which does not recognise women’s ordination, and discusses matters of cooperation.
In 1997, from 18 to 22 January, a session of the ELCL Constitution Commission is held in Rendsburg (Germany), attended by representatives of the ELCL, the LELBĀL, Sweden and North Elbia. The topic – the spiritual office.
On 13 April 1997 Indra Skuja, who until then had served in the Riga Luther congregation, goes into exile and, having passed the examination of the LELBĀL ordination commission, is ordained in the LELBĀL, and serves the Willimantic and Manchester congregations in the USA, while studying at Hartford Seminary.
On 28 and 29 April 1997 the session of the ELCL Constitution Commission continues in Riga. The topic – the spiritual office. Taking part: Dr. R. Slenzka, the Swedish theologians R. Persenius and L. Thunberg.
On 30 January and 22 May 1997 women evangelists are installed in office: Indra Švarce (Daugavgrīva White congregation, UL FT), Anita Tukiša (UL FT, Iģene congregation), Rota Vavilova (Limbaži congregation, UL FT), Dace Priede (Kuldīga St. Anne congregation).
On 1 February 1997 the ELCL Consistory adopts a decision to found the ELCL Luther Academy – a Church educational institution for the education of clergy. The doctor of theology, professor Reinhard Slenzka, is confirmed as its rector.
On 22 and 23 May 1997 the entrance examinations for the six-semester course of study (requirements for applicants: completed higher education, three years’ experience in a congregation, a pastor’s recommendation, successful entrance examinations, and also unofficially – the male sex) take place at the Luther Academy. Thirteen students are admitted.
On 23 May 1997 the Theological Seminary of the Missouri Synod in Fort Wayne awards archbishop Jānis Vanags an honorary doctorate, since his contribution to the leadership of the Church is judged a significant testimony to Lutheran theology in the world and a force fostering confessional Lutheran theology in Latvia.
In 1997, from 8 to 16 July, the assembly of the Lutheran World Federation is held in Hong Kong, attended by the ELCL archbishop J. Vanags, pastor L. Rozentāls, a member of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Women’s Association I. Ivanovska, the chair of the LLWTA board, theologian I. Ezerniece, the LELBĀL pastor A. Vārsberga, pastor Silvija Zalts, and archbishop E. E. Rozītis. One of the votes of the LWF assembly concerns the LWF’s support for the Luther Academy in Riga. The LLWTA informs the assembly participants, that, in supporting the Luther Academy, support is being given to an educational institution that will prepare only men for the spiritual office, since women’s ordination is not carried out in the ELCL. The LWF assembly adopts a resolution in support of this project, mandating that the questions of women’s educational opportunities in all the programmes of this educational institution continue to be addressed. In the newspaper “Svētdienas Rīts”, archbishop J. Vanags expresses his indignation at this interference in the ELCL’s plans.
In 1997, from 7 to 9 August, an international conference “Women and Men in Dialogue” is held, organised by the State Human Rights Office. A polemic takes place between the ELCL archbishop J. Vanags and the State Human Rights Office over the service of the Icelandic women’s church.
On 31 August 1997 after the examinations of the LELBĀL ordination commission, Jogita Mingina, a UL FT graduate, is ordained to the office of pastor in the LELBĀL; she continues to study theology in Germany and to serve the Latvian congregations of Bavaria: the Amberg, Augsburg, Berchtesgaden, Ingolstadt, Memmingen, Munich, Nuremberg and Ulm congregations.
On 29 October 1997 at St. John’s Church in Riga, the ELCL archbishop J. Vanags installs in office the women evangelists Ieva Zeiferte (Riga Luther congregation, UL FT graduate), Ausma Radziņa (Riga Luther congregation, studying at the UL FT), Ieva Kļaviņa (Madona, Cesvaine congregation, UL FT graduate), Gita Judeika (Valmiera St. Simon congregation).
In December 1997 the ELCL women’s association is transformed into the ELCL women’s league.
On 16 July 1998 at St. John’s Church in Riga, the ELCL archbishop J. Vanags installs in office 18 evangelists, men and women, including Lauma Lapa (Riga Holy Trinity congregation), Kristīne Vanaga (Riga Christ congregation, studying at the UL FT), Dace Parādniece (Biķeri congregation, studying at the UL FT), Iveta Jostiņa (Kuldīga St. Anne congregation) and others.
On 5 October 1998 the ELCL women’s league and the ELCL Consistory jointly organise the conference “The Theology of Gender – Questions, Problems, Perspectives”.
On 6 July 1999 J. Cālītis is elected dean of the UL FT.
On 8 August 1999 Dace Jaunzeme, who had previously served at the disposal of the Sēlpils dean, is ordained in the LELBĀL.
On 24 September 1999 the new building of the ELCL Luther Academy at Doma laukums 1 is put into operation. The construction was carried out, thanks to donations from the Missouri Synod and, possibly, also support from the LWF.
In November 1999 the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Latvia abandons its intention to join the ELCL in the foreseeable future, because the ELCL archbishop would not recognise women pastors in German congregations, were any to be called to serve.
In 1999, having completed her studies in moral theology and ethics at the Catholic University of Leuven in Brussels, pastor Zilgme Eglīte, ordained by archbishop E. E. Rozītis, returns to Latvia, ready to serve in ELCL congregations. She is refused such an opportunity. Upon her return, Zilgme works in the field of information technology, and later as an international relations coordinator.
In 1999, in an interview in Touchstone, a publication of the St. James fellowship, which unites Christians of all denominations holding conservative views, a journalist asks the ELCL archbishop J. Vanags: “Not far from where I live in America there is a Latvian Lutheran church in Philadelphia, where the pastor is a woman. I do not know whether she was ordained in Latvia…”
J.V.: “I think she was one of the first to go abroad to be ordained. When I learned of the efforts abroad to ordain women theologians studying in Riga, I wrote a letter to archbishop E. E. Rozītis. It is good that the ELCL can help the LELBĀL, but he must reckon with the fact that these ladies will not have the opportunity to return after two years and be accepted as ordained pastors in our Church. I informed him that there is no such possibility that he ordains abroad and they then serve here. It is difficult to obtain a work permit in the USA and other countries; for most it is granted only for a fixed period. One or more of these ordained ladies have returned to Latvia. I do not know what use there might be for them.”
(Source: http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=14-04-031-i)
Thus concludes a period of heated debates and struggles “for” and “against” the personal conviction of ELCL archbishop Jānis Vanags and the rights of women to realise their God-given calling to the ministry of clergy, confirmed by the previous archbishops. During this time there is no mutually engaged dialogue between the women and the archbishop. As a solution, the office of evangelist is offered, which is intended for laypeople without full education and for a fixed term. A Theological Commission is formed, whose work ends without results. An alternative educational institution is established, in whose pastoral track women are not welcome.
The women’s adaptation to the new situation takes place – uniting in an association, loud protests, the involvement of international organisations, also emigration to the LELBĀL, accepting the office of evangelist, or leaving the ELCL. Fellow clergymen are not drawn into these processes; fear of expressing support for the women prevails. Watching from the sidelines and supporting in secret, the fellow clergymen say: “If it (the ministry of women in the ELCL with the Word and the Sacrament) is from God, it will endure; if not, it will fade away.”
Your research, recollections and documents on this topic may be placed here.
The website editor
Sources:
“Yearbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia for 1993” (ELCL/ LELBĀL, 1992)
“Yearbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia for 1994” (ELCL / LELBĀL, 1993)
“Yearbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia for 1995” ((ELCL / LELBĀL, 1994)
“Yearbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia for 1996” (ELCL / LELBĀL, 1995)
“Yearbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia for 1997” (ELCL / LELBĀL, 1996)
“Yearbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia for 1998” (ELCL / LELBĀL, 1997)
“Yearbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia for 2000” (ELCL / LELBĀL, 1999)
„Mary’s Songs and Stories; writings of Latvian women clergy” (Klints, 2005)