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Friday, November 18, 2016

Jamie Manson: to Pope Francis: "Stop Shaming Women for Seeking Equal Power in the Catholic Church", I agree.

..."the deeper that women will be denied the priesthood lies in the Catholic Church's radical opposition to allowing women and men equal power in the realms of ecclesiastical and sacramental authority. According to the pope and the hierarchy, women cannot have equal power in the church because it would go against nature. That's because they believe that God created men to be leaders, authorities and decision-makers, while women were made to be servants, helpers and nurturers. This is why the pope has repeatedly said that women are entitled, but he has not said that they are entitled to equal power. He wants women's voices to be heard in discussions, but he doesn't necessarily want to entrust them to make decisions. There is no more shame in a woman wanting to use sacramental or spiritual power than there is shame in Pope Francis's own use  of it. Like the beloved pope, women are simply trying to claim the power that God has already given them. " (CORPUS Reports,  Nov.- Dec. 2016, p.17-18)



Kathryn Shea ARCWP and Lee Breyer at Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Fl.


Bridget Mary's Response:
 Jamie's analysis is insightful and right on track. Until Pope Francis affirms the full equality of women in the church, including women priests and women in decision-making roles,  women will remain second class citizens with a subordinate role of service without real authority. The heart of ministry is service and mutual partnership in Christ. It encompasses ecclesial power and responsibility. Women and men in a renewed priestly ministry have equal power and sacramental authority in a community of equals. Service, sacramental power and ecclesial authority go together in all ministries, ordained and non-ordained. 
Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, www.arcwp.org

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