In Memoriam: Carol P. Christ
The Parliament of the World’s Religions is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Carol P. Christ on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
Carol P. Christ was a feminist historian, theologian, professor, and longtime member of the American Academy of Religion (AAR). Her work was considered to be foundational in both launching and elevating the prominence of the Goddess movement in the U.S. and abroad.
Christ’s activism helped to found the study of Women and Religion in the academy, her widely published keynote address “Why Women Need the Goddess” helped to launch the Goddess movement, and her first book Womanspirit Rising brought new ideas to a large audience. She held a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale and taught at Columbia University, Pomona College, Harvard Divinity School, and San Jose State. Her other books are Goddess and God in the World, A Serpentine Path, She Who Changes, Rebirth of the Goddess, Laughter of Aphrodite, Diving Deep and Surfacing, and Weaving the Visions. Born in California, she lived in Greece, ran for office with the Green Party Greece, and worked for decades to protect Natura wetlands in Lesbos. She led the Goddess Pilgrimage to Greece in spring and fall.
Carol P. Christ joined the 2018 Parliament of the World’s Religions as part of the Women’s Dignity track and joined the Women’s Task Force in a virtual observance of Women’s History Month. Current Parliament Women’s Task Force Chair, Phyllis Curott reflects on Christ’s inspirational life and legacy.
Carol Christ was an inspiration for me and countless others, one of the rare sources of inspiration and wisdom in the late 1970s, author of the revolutionary essay, Why Women Need the Goddess, leading scholar, spiritual activist and Priestess, who awakened generations to the rediscovery and rebirth of the Goddess and the profound importance of women’s spirituality.
Due to illness, Carol was unable to address the Inaugural Women’s Plenary at the 2015 Parliament, but she was an esteemed keynote speaker for the 2018 convening and we are so glad and grateful to have provided the Parliament’s Important, global platform to her.
She will be missed beyond measure, a wise woman who transformed lives and helped create a global spiritual movement that honors and remembers her.
Who is remembered, lives.
– Phyllis Curott, Rev. H.Ps.
The Parliament extends our deepest condolences to Christ’s family, loved ones, and global community.
