It is not that the world is catching up to the Church.  The Church is still lagging behind the world.  

The Church may STATE equal the divinity of men and women.  But the actual PRACTICE of it is far, far behind.  

Women, especially religious in the early days, began hospitals, orphanages, education, and did work in the missions.  They followed the example of the poor Jesus to work among the poor.  They brought the feminine face of God to the people as members of the Church---which has always been called "Mother Church." But those who make the decisions within the Church are hung up on their androcentric expressions, and hierarchal structures---that have no place for the gifts of women to be part of decision-making within the Church.