Written By Montgomery J Granger @mjgranger1
Several weeks ago, the College of Cardinals and other high-ranking leaders in the Catholic Church, including many women, met at the Vatican for what’s known as a Synod, or grand convention, to discuss the canon and rules of the Church.
Participants met in small groups to discuss such topics as female priests, marriage, and sexuality. We will cover the latter two topics in a follow-up article to this one.
The Summary Report of the Synod was just released.
This Report highlights various aspects related to the role of women in the life and mission of the Church. While it does not explicitly state whether women should be ordained as priests, it does address several key points:
Equality and Baptismal Dignity: The Synod acknowledges that in Christ, both women and men share the same baptismal dignity and receive the gifts of the Spirit equally. It emphasizes the importance of non-competitive co-responsibility and the call for men and women to work together in the Church.
Role of Women in the Church: The Synod recognizes the valuable contributions of women in various roles within the Church, such as laywomen, consecrated women, and women in different stages of life. It highlights the importance of understanding and accompanying women pastorally and sacramentally.
Challenges and Abuses: The Synod acknowledges the challenges faced by women, including sexual violence, economic inequality, and the need to address abuses of power within the Church, such as clericalism and machismo. It emphasizes the need for spiritual conversion and structural changes to address these issues.
Renewal and Inclusion: The Synod calls for a renewal of relationships and structural changes that allow for the full participation and contribution of all members of the Church without subordination, exclusion, or competition.
Discussion on Diaconate: The Synod acknowledges differing positions regarding women’s access to the diaconate (an ordained role, which primarily consists of “assist[ing] the bishop and priests in the celebration of the divine mysteries, above all the Eucharist,” according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church), with some viewing it as a possible response to the signs of the times, while others express concerns about potential discontinuity with Tradition. It calls for continued theological and pastoral research on this matter.
Proposals: The Synod proposes a series of actions to promote greater inclusion and recognition of women’s contributions in the Church, including expanding women’s access to training and theological studies, addressing employment discrimination, and ensuring that women can participate in decision-making processes.
In summary, the Synod does not provide a definitive answer on the ordination of women as priests but does highlight the need for greater recognition, inclusion, and co-responsibility of women in various roles within the Church and encourages further discussion and research on the topic of women’s access to the diaconate. The text emphasizes a desire for a Church where men and women can dialogue and collaborate for the better understanding of God’s plan and for the benefit of the Church’s mission.
As a non-Catholic Christian, I am interested in what the Synod says about our religion but don’t feel bound by its conclusions. Most Protestant denominations allow female ministers or leaders of congregations. But, depending on local, regional, or cultural norms, many countries respect the traditional roles of women in Christianity as supporters but not as leaders.
This is also true in the Catholic Church and was addressed at the Synod. Cultural, traditional, and linguistic differences in interpretation of the Word and mission of the Church nevertheless retain foundational roles for women and exclude them from the highest positions of authority.
The capabilities of women are not the point. Since Mary Magdalene, many Christian scholars, especially those who have studied the Dead Sea Scrolls, say there is evidence that Mary was not only a Priest in the early Christian Church but quite possibly the wife of Jesus Christ. Women are certainly capable leaders, but is that their purpose in the Christian faith?
The Bible outlines various roles and responsibilities for women. Of course, the roles and expectations for women in biblical times were influenced by the cultural and societal norms of that era. These roles varied based on historical context and geographical location. Here are some traditional roles and responsibilities for women mentioned in the Bible:
Wife and Homemaker: Women were often expected to marry and manage household duties, including caring for children, cooking, and maintaining the home. Proverbs 31:10-31 provides a well-known description of an excellent wife.
Mother: Women were considered blessed to bear children and were responsible for their upbringing. The Bible highlights the importance of motherhood in passages like Proverbs 31:28.
Supporting and Encouraging: Women often played a supportive and encouraging role for their husbands. For example, Sarah encouraged Abraham in Hebrews 11:11-12.
Hospitality: Offering hospitality to travelers and guests was an important virtue in biblical times. Women played a significant role in this, as seen in the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42.
Prophetess: The Bible mentions prophetesses such as Miriam (Exodus 15:20) and Deborah (Judges 4:4) who served as spiritual leaders.
Caring for the Poor: Women were expected to show compassion and care for the poor and needy. The “woman of noble character” in Proverbs 31 is known for her generosity.
Faith and Prayer: The Bible encourages women to have faith and engage in prayer. One well-known example is Hannah’s prayer for a child in 1 Samuel 1:10-20.
Educator: Mothers were responsible for teaching their children and passing down religious and moral values. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 emphasizes teaching God’s commandments to children.
Worship and Service: Women participated in acts of worship and service within religious contexts, as seen in various passages describing women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry.
Business and Trade: In Proverbs 31, women engaged in business activities and traded goods.
It’s important to note that these roles are described within the context of the culture and society of the times in which the Bible was written. The roles and expectations for women have evolved significantly over the centuries, and modern interpretations may differ based on cultural and religious contexts. Many Christian denominations today have diverse perspectives on the roles of women within the Church and society.
Should these foundational roles of females in the Church prevent them from evolving into leaders of the faith, or are they a resume for success in such roles? It seems that Catholic women have an opportunity to take advantage of the opportunities available and then grow their presence at the top of the religion.