The Vatican’s Commission of Latin American Church leaders is demanding greater decision-making opportunities for women in the church and proposing that Pope Francis call a special meeting of the world’s Bishops to discuss women.
The Pontifical Commission for Latin America has stated that there should be greater decision-making opportunities for women in the Church. The Commission has requested that a special meeting (General Synod) be convened by Pope Francis to discuss the role of women in the Church, stating that the Church needs a radical “change of mentality” in the way it views and treats half of humanity.
The statement was published in the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.
Commission members — 22 Latin American Cardinals and Bishops, plus 15 women who joined the panel for the meeting — said it was both possible and “urgent” to increase opportunities for women at the parish, diocesan and Vatican level.
“This opening isn’t a concession to cultural or media pressure, but the result of a realization that the lack of women in decision-making roles is a defect, an ecclesiological gap and the negative effect of a clerical and macho conception,” the communique said.
They warned that unless the Bishops address the issue universally, women will simply leave.
The fact that the Commission statement was published in the official organ of the Holy See is seen to be evidence that Pope Francis is increasingly aware that centuries of institutionalized discrimination against women is indefensible today and is hurting the Catholic Church.
Francis personally proposed that the Commission make as its theme for its plenary meeting, “Women: building block of the church and society in Latin America.”
The Holy Father has repeatedly called for greater roles for women in the church, though he has upheld Church teaching that the Priesthood is reserved for men.
The issue of women’s roles in the Church is already on the agenda for the next two upcoming Synods of Bishops — the regular meetings of church leaders at the Vatican. Later this year, Bishops will take up issues about young Catholics — male and female — and next year they will discuss ministering in the Amazon, where women are the primary carriers of the Faith.
The Latin American Commission, however, is proposing that an entire Synod be dedicated to “women in the life and mission of the Church.”
The question of women’s role in the ministry of the Church can no longer be avoided as it was in past decades.
The Bishops and the Holy See can no longer pretend that the issue will simply die a quiet death if it is ignored long enough.
The Pope’s response to the Commission’s request will be interesting indeed!
Frankly, it's about time!
No comments:
Post a Comment