Women rising in the Catholic Church

During discussions surrounding One Billion Rising, it was pointed out that, when it comes to creating a culture in which women may be viewed as inferior in some way, religion has a lot to answer for.

During discussions surrounding One Billion Rising, it was pointed out that, when it comes to creating a culture in which women may be viewed as inferior in some way, religion has a lot to answer for.

Almost all religions, with some honourable exceptions, give men a role of power and authority over women, whilst at the same time preaching that we are all equal in God’s eyes.

As far as Christianity is concerned, perhaps the starkest example, unfortunately, is in the Catholic Church. While the Anglican Church wrestles with the idea of women bishops (some provinces having already consecrated them, as with Lutherans and others), the Catholic Church’s hierarchy has firmly ruled out the idea of women ever being ordained to the priesthood. Indeed, steps have been taken to suppress even discussing the issue. But not everybody in the Church is prepared to accept this, and there has been a long-standing campaign to have women ordained as priests.

This campaign is perhaps strongest in the United States, and in December last year the US Catholic news website, the National Catholic Reporter, published a closely argued editorial entitled ‘Ordination of Women Would Correct an Injustice’ which concluded:

Our message is that we believe the sensus fidelium is that the exclusion of women from the priesthood has no strong basis in Scripture or any other compelling rationale; therefore, women should be ordained. We have heard the faithful assent to this in countless conversations in parish halls, lecture halls and family gatherings.

When Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation, Women’s Ordination Conference based in Washington DC, issued a statement. After expressing respect for the Pope’s decision and concern for his health, the statement continued:

As Roman Catholics worldwide prepare for the conclave, we are reminded that the current system remains an ‘old boys club’ and does not allow for women’s voices to participate in the decision of the next leader of our Church. WOC members plan to host vigils and raise ‘pink smoke’ during the conclave as a prayerful reminder of the voices of the Church that go unheard.