Pope John Paul II: Women assure "the moral dimension of a culture"

[MarcoPolo]

In the apostolic exhortation Christifidelis Laici, Pope John Paul II states:*[W]omen have the task of assuring the moral dimension of culture, the dimension, namely of a culture worthy of the person, of an individual yet social life. … “It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a helper fit for him” (Gen 2:18). God entrusted the human being to woman. Certainly, every human being is entrusted to each and every other human being, but in a special way the human being is entrusted to woman, precisely because the woman in virtue of her special experience of motherhood is seen to have a specific sensitivity towards the human person and all that constitutes the individual’s true welfare, beginning with the fundamental value of life. How great are the possibilities and responsibilities of woman in this area, at a time when the development of science and technology is not always inspired and measured by true wisdom, with the inevitable risk of “de-humanizing” human life, above all when it would demand a more intense love and a more generous acceptance.*I would say there is a certain strength when the voice of women defend life and human dignity. What thoughts are invoked in your mind at this passage?

 

[Nimzovik]

I always find such gender centric comments counter intuitive.

And men? They do **not ** have a task of assuring the moral dimension of a culture How very sexist. Did not the woman receive life (baby) from a man? Why must his role always be so demeaned? It is thinking such as this that results in todays terms such as ‘bio daddy’ so often employed by feminists today!

Deeeeeep sigh… Methinks this was written in the throes of the feminist onslaught of the times.

I do not think this was written in ex cathedra, eh? I sure hope not!

 

[MarcoPolo]

And men? They do **not ** have a task of assuring the moral dimension of a culture How very sexist. Did not the woman receive life (baby) from a man? Why must his role always be so demeaned?

The Pope didn’t say any such things, and if you read the whole document, he has a section on men also. This is talking about gifts that women have specially - which doesn’t mean men are absent of those gifts altogether.

 

[Nimzovik]

Ah yes. “…men also…” Sounds like token ‘lip service’ to me.

Seems like men are being relegated once again in this age of feminism to the role of ‘the second sex’ yet once again, eh?I

Perhaps it is just such sexist stereotypical attitudes that contribute to the fact that 86% of women are the custodial parent of children today according to the last census-yes?

Perhaps we should rather focus on a true equality, ahmmmm?

Perhaps if you post the rest of the document, we may see just what men as well, do indeed contribute? That would be the mutually respectful thing to do yes?

 

[Scott_D]

Doesn’t this reflect the role which Adam and Eve had in the fall? Eve made the wrong decision and Adam went along with it. Women also carry the babies, so perhaps the Pope was saying that was the reason why women’s morality carries so much weight.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Doesn’t this reflect the role which Adam and Eve had in the fall? Eve made the wrong decision and Adam went along with it. Women also carry the babies, so perhaps the Pope was saying that was the reason why women’s morality carries so much weight.

I think in context it’s related to that mothers are naturally inclined to protect and nurture their young. B nature a woman is wired to have a sensitivity for human life. Thats what I think he is saying.

 

[Nimzovik]

I think in context it’s related to that mothers are naturally inclined to protect and nurture their young. B nature a woman is wired to have a sensitivity for human life. Thats what I think he is saying.

Oh no!! That just did not happen, did it?
And men? What? They are devoid of such? What?! Men are just hollow shells or something?
Men are not wired to protect their young!???

Somebody needs to really up their ‘man quotient’ methinks!!

My o my, the feminists have really conditioned society, haven’t they? The church too, it seems.

 

[bcuster]

The OP is quoting Bl. John Paul II on the importance of women in the moral dimension. Let’s not make this us man against woman thing. Division is from the evil one. The Holy Spirit is recognized in Unity. God created us man and woman–a unity. What you say about one should complement the other—no competition. As a woman I am happy to contemplate the gifts God has given us in men. It runs both ways. Men should revel in the beautiful give God has give humanity in woman. It is not a competition! That started in the Garden of Eden when man blamed the woman who blamed the serpent.

Now, what JPII is saying is that it is woman’s God-given responsibility to live the moral life and assure that morality is promoted in the family as well as in the public arena. Unfortunately modern feminism has done the opposite. Modern feminism has divided woman against man. Division. Competition. These do not come from God, but from the evil one. Let us, both women and men, work to heal what has been done AND live unity, not division.

 

[Nimzovik]

Indeed. It is indicative just how far woman has fallen in this special gift , as demonstrated by the abuse of abortion.

Rather appalling, isn’t it?