The changing role of women in the Catholic Church
(Vatican Radio) In his Wednesday general audiences throughout this year, Pope Francis has been reflecting on family life, ahead of the Synod of Bishops on the family, due to take place here in the Vatican from October 4th to 25th.
In these weekly reflections, the Pope has spoken extensively about the role of parents and particularly about the changing role of women in contemporary society. It is essential, he said, that “women not only be more listened to, but that her voice has real weight, a recognized authoritativeness” both in society and in the Church
Among those listening carefully to the Pope’s words is author and theologian Tina Beattie, who teaches Catholic Studies and heads a research centre for Religion, Society and Human Flourishing at the University of Roehampton in southern England. She talked to Philippa Hitchen about her hopes for a more incisive presence of women in the Catholic Church today…..
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Professor Beattie says that this year has seen “a surge of activity around these issues”, adding that she believe Pope Francis has “made it alright to address these issues and created spaces in which we can speak more freely than we’ve been able to do for a while”….
Asked about her hopes for the coming months, Beattie says sheI would like to see more women in positions of leadership, suggesting that the Pope “could add some women advisors to the nine cardinals who’re advising him – why not?” as well as including more women in the two new congregations that have been spoken about at part of the Curial reform programme. “We can leave out the most sensitive issues of ordination and still do a great deal to include women, she says.
Reacting to the Pope’s call for “a profound theology of women”, Beattie expresses caution: noting that such a call is really saying the Church lacks a profound theology of the human. “And that’s true”, she continues, “this will be the catalyst for a whole new way of understanding theological anthropology…there are many women theologians qualified to contribute – so far not one has ever been quoted or included in formation of official Church teaching.”