Catholics call for involvememt of women in selecting next pope
-04/04/05
A catholic organisation has established an “open conclave” in cyberspace so that the entire community of faith can make its make views known about who should be the next pope.
The organisation; ‘Women Church-Convergence’ suggests that as the cardinals meet behind locked doors to select a new pope, the ‘people of the church’ should be involved in the process of selection of church leaders and models of leadership.
In a statement, the group said it joined ‘billions of people around the globe’ in prayer at the death of Pope John Paul II.
“While we favour the ordination of women and full rights for all in the church, and while we disagreed with the pope on a range of sexuality-related issues, we applaud the accomplishments of a courageous leader who expressed solidarity with oppressed people, including those who lived under Communism.” their statement said.
Women-Church Convergence envisions a church that ‘treats women as partners and equals in all areas of church life’.
“This model, rooted in the Jesus tradition, honours the gifts of God in the people of God. It is a path the community can follow to ensure integrity in ministry and accountability in governance and in all areas of church life” it says.
“We promote participatory, egalitarian structures rather than hierarchical domination. We see the papacy as a sign of unity, not a person with authority. We call on all Catholics to take this unique opportunity to rethink basic aspects of our common life.”
The group is calling on Roman Catholic Church leaders to invite women from every continent to participate in the selection of the new pope.
“Historically, the office of cardinal was open to laity. Women cardinals at this conclave would bring a fresh perspective and represent more fully the community of faith” the group said.
“We are women leading the way — in grassroots women’s egalitarian communities throughout the world.”
Women-Church Convergence is a coalition of autonomous Catholic-rooted organizations ‘raising a feminist voice and committed to an ekklesia of women which is participative, egalitarian and self-governing.’
“We proclaim a new day is dawning in which the Roman Catholic Church will no longer treat women as second-class citizens. May the Church practice what it preaches” their statement said.