Is the church "patriarchal"

[DeusExMachina]

Just to give you a little background, my mom was born to an immigrant family that was and still is deeply Catholic. She converted to TEC (albeit unofficially) when she met my dad in 1987, because his family (well, about half of it) is episcopalian. I remember, it was almost 2 years ago now when I told her I wanted to learn more about Catholicism; she for some reason assumed I was “secretly Catholic” already and went into a tirade over how the RCC 'worships statues" and is patriarchal. Now while it’s obvious the first accusation isn’t true, I’m still not sure how to respond to the second. Does someone have advice they could give me?

In Christ.
DeusExMachina

 

[Little_Sheep]

Just to give you a little background, my mom was born to an immigrant family that was and still is deeply Catholic. She converted to TEC (albeit unofficially) when she met my dad in 1987, because his family (well, about half of it) is episcopalian. I remember, it was almost 2 years ago now when I told her I wanted to learn more about Catholicism; she for some reason assumed I was “secretly Catholic” already and went into a tirade over how the RCC 'worships statues" and is patriarchal. Now while it’s obvious the first accusation isn’t true, I’m still not sure how to respond to the second. Does someone have advice they could give me?

In Christ.
DeusExMachina

I personally believe that Catholic Church is patriarchal, but honestly, DEM, I think you should ask your mom what exactly she means by that. It can mean different things to different people.

 

[Petaro]

If your mother means that the Church is led by mainly men, then she has a point when it comes to the nature of Christ’s church as He established it, with twelve male apostles. The inherent maleness of the priesthood has meant that historically, leadership came naturally from men. However, is this inherently bad? Is not the head of the Christian family male? Is he not equally supported by his wife in the running of their family? Thus at the pastoral level, apart from the priest in the parish, who does the ministry? Who are the backbone of nearly every parish. The women. The very kind lady who brings me the Eucharist each week then goes to the nursing home to care and comfort. She can only come on Tuesday because she is making the palms for Palm Sunday.
The backbone of the Church are the women. So it is not patriarchal in any true sense.
Just explain to your mum that without women the Church would collapse. If she wants to argue leadership let her take it up with Teresa of Avila et al.

 

[Vico]

Just to give you a little background, my mom was born to an immigrant family that was and still is deeply Catholic. She converted to TEC (albeit unofficially) when she met my dad in 1987, because his family (well, about half of it) is episcopalian. I remember, it was almost 2 years ago now when I told her I wanted to learn more about Catholicism; she for some reason assumed I was “secretly Catholic” already and went into a tirade over how the RCC 'worships statues" and is patriarchal. Now while it’s obvious the first accusation isn’t true, I’m still not sure how to respond to the second. Does someone have advice they could give me?

In Christ.
DeusExMachina

Collins Dictionary:

American English: patriarchal A patriarchal society, family, or system is one in which the men have all or most of the power and importance…a patriarchal society.

 

[mikeeh]

It’s not patriarchal, it’s universal. Totally different.

 

[Sarcelle]

Yes the Church is patriarchal as it is based on the Fatherhood of God. I personally wouldn’t want it any other way.

 

[Lea101]

I guess so. Aren’t husbands supposed to be the head of the house? That’s just one example but I would say yes. But not in the way secular feminists would think (that women are not valued)

 

[estesbob]

Just to give you a little background, my mom was born to an immigrant family that was and still is deeply Catholic. She converted to TEC (albeit unofficially) when she met my dad in 1987, because his family (well, about half of it) is episcopalian. I remember, it was almost 2 years ago now when I told her I wanted to learn more about Catholicism; she for some reason assumed I was “secretly Catholic” already and went into a tirade over how the RCC 'worships statues" and is patriarchal. Now while it’s obvious the first accusation isn’t true, I’m still not sure how to respond to the second. Does someone have advice they could give me?

In Christ.
DeusExMachina

Yes it I It is headed by Jesus Christ

 

[commenter]

The Church is complementary - men and women complement each other. Mothers and fathers are different, not just generic parents, interchangeable. Parents are in a certain relationship to their children, not just interchangeable with other adult caretakers.

In the US, and some other Western countries, social justice is almost totally consumed with the idea of equality, and nothing else.

 

[andrewstx]

The Church is complementary - men and women complement each other. Mothers and fathers are different, not just generic parents, interchangeable. Parents are in a certain relationship to their children, not just interchangeable with other adult caretakers.

In the US, and some other Western countries, social justice is almost totally consumed with the idea of equality, and nothing else.

This ^