EDI TO R I A L UP FRONT GERARD MOLONEY CSsR
TIME TO TREAT WOMEN AS EQUALS IN THE CHURCH
When
The New York Times published a sensational story in 2017 alleging sexual abuse of women by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, it was the catalyst for what soon became known as the MeToo movement. For years Weinstein’s sordid activities were hidden in plain view. Many people were aware of his reputation, but his power and money enabled him to bully or pay off his accusers. He thought he was invincible. The Times' investigation changed everything. Once the dam had burst, more and more women, no longer cowed, came forward to share their experience of sexual abuse and harassment. Powerful men lost their jobs. Others in positions of power who knew or suspected what was going on began to express regret for their failure to act. When a notorious tape emerged of Donald Trump talking about women in such a demeaning manner it should have disqualified him from office, he defended his behaviour by claiming it was just "locker room talk", as if that made it any more acceptable. Women have always been treated thus. The beauty, fashion, and advertising industries continue to objectify women. A woman cannot wear what she chooses without being told it’s her fault if anything sinister happens to her. And while there’s no doubting the tremendous progress the women’s movement has made in the last century, many still do not feel safe walking or travelling alone, and are judged – and not just in Hollywood – on their looks rather than on their qualifications and professionalism. Put a lascivious man alone in a room with a woman and we know who’s got the power. As a man, I am ashamed of the degrading way in which many men have treated women. As a Roman Catholic priest, I feel even more ashamed, not only because of the harm done
to women and the vulnerable by individual priests and religious but also because of the harm our church as an institution has done to women. When one considers the role of women in the Catholic Church, some things are obvious. Women not only make up a large majority of regular church-goers, but they also play the primary role in handing on the faith. Traditionally, women have done much of the church’s heavy lifting. Think of religious education (nuns); parish administration (secretaries); upkeep of churches (altar societies and Martha Ministers), care of priests (housekeepers and helpers). If women downed tools, the church would implode. But because they love the church, not only do they continue to occupy the pews when churches are open, women also serve on parish pastoral councils, teach religion, study theology, do voluntary work, and assist at Mass. The commitment of so many women is extraordinary given that only the ordained are allowed to make the big decisions in the Catholic Church – and the ordained are men. Women are powerless. The Catholic Church is the last great Western institution that systematically discriminates against women based on their gender. That will always be the case as long as power is bound up with ordination rather than with baptism. It’s not enough to pay lip service to women’s dignity and vocation in the church, as church leaders like to do. Equal involvement in the life of the church is not a privilege women must earn but a right that belongs to them by virtue of their creation in God's image and their cooperation into Christ through baptism. It is scandalous that women are treated as second-class members of our church. Positive change is happening. In January, Pope Francis changed a clause in canon law
from “lay men” to "lay persons,” allowing women to administer communion and serve at the altar during liturgies. While giving official recognition to roles already performed by women in many parishes might seem like no big deal, it will force conservative bishops and priests to accept greater involvement of women in the liturgy. They will no longer be able to use church law to exclude women from these ministries. It is a tiny step in the right direction. The good news is that more and more bishops, including the new archbishop of Dublin, are acknowledging that the status quo is no longer good enough. They are open to the possibility of ordaining women at least to the diaconate. Such a development would not only be the just thing to do, it would also give the church tremendous new vigour.
Footnote: I have stepped into the editor's chair while Fr Brendan McConvery recovers from illness. Please remember Fr Brendan in your prayers.
Gerard Molonry CSsR Acting Editor
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