Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00638)

Leadbeater claimed, on the basis of his alleged clairvoyant research, that 
women could not be ordained to the Christian priesthood because of the nature 
of their psychic constructions: Christian ordination only “worked” on male 
bodies. The Liberal Catholic Church’s General Episcopal Synod recently 
confirmed this view (and this led to Liberal Catholics who rejected this view 
breaking from the Church).

Leadbeater did not claim that women could not be ordained for a “feminine 
religion” (for which, presumably, men could not be ordained). Indeed, he 
established the basis for such a new religion, but it seems to have failed to 
thrive. The following extract from my paper on the history of the Egyptian 
Rite may be of interest: it identifies another hitherto unpublicized secret 
group within the Adyar TS:

“Leadbeater also used the Egyptian Rite as a vehicle for his interest in “work 
for the World Mother”. The esoteric “work for the World Mother” was initiated 
by Leadbeater in an inner group of members of the ES in Sydney in 1925. 
Leadbeater also sought to establish a further esoteric group: a feminine 
equivalent of the Christian Religion for the revival of ancient women’s 
mysteries. He claimed that a form of “apostolic succession” from the World 
Mother was transmitted through him to four young women among the “Seven 
Virgins of Java” whom he “consecrated” as the female equivalents in this 
feminine religion of bishops in the masculine Christianity. Jinarajadasa 
commented in an ES document of 1948

Though the original four consecrated by the Holy Mother have lost interest in 
the work, nevertheless the succession given to them has been passed on, though 
for the moment it remains in abeyance.

And Jinarajadasa foreshadows

a secret organization confined to women only, working through one or more 
rituals under their officers, which the World Mother will use as a special 
channel of Her forces for the world. Such a secret organization will not be 
confined to women of one race or faith only; it will be for all women, 
provided they qualify themselves, as is the case with all secret 
organizations. If such a ritual body is to be Her channel, it must begin with 
those on whom She has conferred her “apostolic succession”....When those who 
have the “succession” inform me that they have begun the work, then will be 
time to make an announcement to the E.S.” 

Any information on this “secret organization” will be gratefully received!

Dr Gregory Tillett