The #Vatican's new document today for the ongoing synod process gives a lot of attention to the role of women in the church, including calls for women's ordination as priests. Short thread:
The text, which summarizes reports from Catholics in places across the world, includes some rather frank remarks. From the Holy Land:
“In a Church where almost all decision-makers are men, there are few spaces where women can make their voices heard."
“In a Church where almost all decision-makers are men, there are few spaces where women can make their voices heard."
From Korea:
“Despite the great participation of women in various Church activities, they are often excluded from key decision-making processes."
“Despite the great participation of women in various Church activities, they are often excluded from key decision-making processes."
A report from the umbrella groups that represent members of Catholic religious orders is quite frank:
“Sexism in decision-making and Church language is prevalent ... As a result, women are excluded from meaningful roles in the life of the Church [and] discriminated against."
“Sexism in decision-making and Church language is prevalent ... As a result, women are excluded from meaningful roles in the life of the Church [and] discriminated against."
The text says "many" synod reports call for women to be ordained as deacons. On priesthood, it states:
"Much greater diversity of opinion was expressed on the subject of priestly ordination for women, which some reports call for, while others consider a closed issue."
"Much greater diversity of opinion was expressed on the subject of priestly ordination for women, which some reports call for, while others consider a closed issue."
Theologians may wish to unpack the significance of the report's mentioning of women's ordination to the priesthood. Pope John Paul II declared in 1994 that the church had "no authority whatsoever" to ordain women. This text acknowledges some countries are calling for it.
Another thought. The title of the text -- "Enlarge the space of your tent," taken from Isaiah -- is quite interesting and evokes a clear image. Paragraph 26 walks through what it takes to enlarge a tent: stretching the cloth, moving the ropes, making sure the pegs are firm.
The writers describe this tent of the Catholic Church as:
"an expansive, but not homogeneous dwelling, capable of sheltering all, but open, letting in and out, and moving toward embracing the Father and all of humanity."
"an expansive, but not homogeneous dwelling, capable of sheltering all, but open, letting in and out, and moving toward embracing the Father and all of humanity."
They state:
"Enlarging the tent requires welcoming others into it, making room for their diversity. It thus entails a willingness to die to self out of love, finding oneself again in and through relationship with Christ and one’s neighbor."
"Enlarging the tent requires welcoming others into it, making room for their diversity. It thus entails a willingness to die to self out of love, finding oneself again in and through relationship with Christ and one’s neighbor."
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