Both Memaw and I are women, the Pope isn’t wasting his breath because Catholics in the West obviously do not understand the role of women anymore and have turned that role into being undesirable and see it as a lesser position. I bet most American Catholics have not read John Paul II’s Dignity & Vocation of Women.
There are tons of ways to be a modern woman and bring people to Christ that do not limit you to being a mother, wife or religious sisters. Try to get a radio show on a Catholic radio station, lead studies in your church, write a book about anything that gives God glory. Teach the Confirmation kids they need adults who know the faith really bad. Ask your pastor if you can run a retreat, two ladies in my church started a crisis pregnancy center because that is what they felt God was calling them to do - that is a fun adventure and one that will consume you in a good way. My deacon goes to visit the elderly parishioners at the hospital which my grandma has been at lately, there is nothing preventing you from stopping by the hospital and meeting with sick Catholics or any one in the hospital for that matter. Churches are always looking for ways to raise money, start a kids Saint Nicholas Day breakfast and have the money go towards something your church needs or a Saint Patrick’s day breakfast with rainbow pancakes to raise money for something.S-I-G-H…
I cringe when I read things like this. Just because I am a woman, it seems that the only thing I can offer to the Chruch is my life as a religious sister or as a wife & mother, is this what you are all saying? If I want to use my gifts & talents in a ways that enrich the Kingdom, these are my only options?
Well, God obviously has other plans for me, because He called me to be a married woman, and then saw fit to not grace me with children. Does that mean He is “punishing” me, and that my only place in the Church is that of “spectator”?
I don’t believe that is what God wants for me. Not having children has given me the opportunity to be more free with my time, my talents and what little treasure I have. I have spent the past 7 years studying theology & pastoral ministry at the graduate level. I am taking the same classes that those men who will be ordained to the permanant diaconate are taking. I am doing it for my own enrichment, but that does not mean that I don’t want to “give back”. It does not mean that I am looking for recognition or that I am bragging. What is means is that I want to use the gifts I have been given to help spead the Gospel message. God did not give me a “family”, so I must go outside the norm to use these gifts. I, and many women that I know who are in my situation, feel the same way- that because we are not religious sisters or mothers, we have no place in the Church. This doesn’t mean that all I am seeking is ordination, it means I am looking to the Church to give me answers as to how to use my gifts & talents in a way that would be useful to her, and for the propogation of His Kingdom.
I really don’t understand why some people have such a problem with this.
My prediction stands. I guess we’ll have to wait to see what the Pope does.
Simply beautiful. The world needs more people like these whom you describe, and like you, KP, who have the capacity in your brain, heart and soul to think of such healthy and blessed options to generously give love.
That’s right. No hints. This is just a speculation thread, nothing more. I am neither a saint or a theologian so Pope Francis will consult with those who fall into those categories.
Completely agreed. In fact, to be perfectly honest, I don’t think that this view is incompatible with the view that women might be ordained as deacons (or even - though I know Roman Catholics and many others will disagree with this - as priests and bishops).I’m not sure what Pope Francis is thinking in the more ecclesiastical view, but on the local level, overwhelmingly there are far too many women in leadership roles already, and far too few men – anywhere except in places like ICKSP parishes, etc.
In point of fact (also), local parishes, have, i.m.o., too much “bureaucracy” on their own. Committees, Schemittees. This “council,” this “committee,” this “ministry.” (I love how someone’s random pet project is allowed to attach the word “ministry” to itself) And invariably, women are directing those, as well.
The most traditional parishes are about one thing: bringing those parish members closer to Our Lord. (What a concept.) That effort is led by the pastor and any associated priests, is carried out with frequent Masses, devotions, Confession, spiritual direction provided by the ordained, and music which supports all of that and is under the jurisdiction of the pastor, not anyone with separate or overriding power.
When the lines of leadership are clearly drawn like that, and when you have men visibly in those leadership roles, you tend to get well-attended Masses, with approximately even numbers of both sexes. (You don’t get fewer women; you do get more men.) To my knowledge, women are still only about half of the human race.
It equally doesn’t mean that he is not thinking of this. Nobody knows what he is thinking of. or in most cases, what he really means. And since nobody knows or even has a clue as to what he meant or what he truly means, then speculation is certain to arise.
There are a number of distinctions between lay readers and instituted lectors. Instituted orders replaced minor orders in 1963, but are, in almost all ways except the actual terminology and the admission to the clerical state, minor orders.
That’s putting it nicely.
I thought it was Jesus who shut the door on women priest.
It’s not they’re not doing anything about it but perhaps not being influential enough with their kids. Here’s an interesting finding with references.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_attendance
How many in the College of Cardinals would you like to see that don’t attend church? If you want it representative, maybe 25%-45%?