Many Catholics questioned the wisdom of continuing with the Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment. We are in the middle on an ongoing, world wide, crisis of abuse and it's cover up. That seems to fundamentally impact the very people this Synod is meant to address - a concern shared by some bishops. But the Synod has been in the works for so long, better not to stand in front of that train. At least it couldn't cause harm, right?
Well, that remains to be seen.
As a young Catholic woman, this Synod has given me some serious concerns about the Vatican's ability or inclination to work with women within the Church.
Even though 80% of consecrated people are women, they are not represented among those with voting power at the Synod. In stark contrast, brothers, who share the same canonical status as religious sisters ARE afforded a vote. This is not a question of ordination or Canon Law. This is a direct discrimination based solely on gender.
I love the Church, and I believe in it's teachings, but I want to remind my fellow Catholics that we are not required to believe and support every little nuance of how things have been done. If it is not a matter of Faith and Morals, faithful Catholics are fully allowed to disagree.
I am exhausted by the commentary on this issue of overt exclusion of women that is often ended by "let's hope and pray that we can do things differently in the future." Often a reminder that we shouldn't get angry about this injustice is thrown in there for good measure.
Frankly, if this situation doesn't upset you I am a little concerned for you.
I understand crisis fatigue, the desire to talk about good things for a change, and the apathy that sets in after watching the bumbling attempts at damage control by the hierarchy - instead of the kind loving guidance of a father that we are due. However, I believe we have good reason not to place our trust in the same men who failed to amend and render justice in the Church when they said they did over a decade ago. An attempt that still came decades too late.
When the reasoning for why women religious superior generals cannot vote, but brother superiors may, relies on numerous people overlooking women because "They haven’t been used to thinking this way" I don't think the hierarchy is ready for their relating to women training wheels to come off just yet.
I keep speaking up, and writing, and talking to people, about the crisis and the reality of the Church because I understand that that is what it means to be a faithful Catholic woman right now. It's not a nice option if it's something you feel called to do. It is abundantly clear that the men of our Church might desire to do the right thing, but they cannot do it if we don't tell them what we need and hold them accountable.
It is very easy for little voices to be silenced. It is so simple to be apathetic and allow for injustice to continue it's course. How nice it would be for Someone Else to stick their neck out as a sacrificial lamb for ourselves.
Oh wait, Jesus did.
Jesus already came and provided an open path for salvation. But we have free will, and we have to cooperate with grace.
I hate to be a debby downer, but sanctifying grace is not known for it's warm fuzzies. You probably aren't going to feel good. You might not see an immediate result. But refusing grace is not an option if we wish to be disciples.
If we love Jesus, we must love his Church. The most loving thing to do in the face of injustice is not to enable it. To call it what it is by name, and to push for the good. For a Church to be what she preaches.
Men, we need you to listen to women and see injustice too. The beauty of talking about reality is it is ready and available for anyone to see if they merely look.
Women, we need to speak to each other and educate ourselves. Keeping up to date on what is happening in the Church is necessary if we are to have productive conversations.
UPDATE: I was reminded that the superiors general of the Dominicans, Jesuits, and Conventual Franciscans, all voting members of the Synod, are calling for the inclusion of women voters, and that the men's Union of Superiors General has been sending non-ordained representatives as voting representatives since 2015. This synod was the opportunity for a change at a later synod.
Was any of this news for you? How can you become involved in discussions that move the Church forward, whatever your state in life?
I did NOT realize what you said about voting at the synod. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think the term "crisis fatigue" is completely accurate. It's like I don't have the brainspace to care, as unfortunate as it is.
I think often we think of "the Church" as something that happens far away from us. We profess to be one body, but we often don't think of the other parts of the body as affecting our part.
DeleteYet we know that a disease in one organ of our physical body definitely impacts the rest.
I can't fully blame the hierarchy for not noticing the issue when we ourselves, the recipients of this error, have not called attention to it.
I am surprised at how little coverage it is getting among Catholic bloggers though. We all seem to have the head space to be angry at the comments of a French president, but not enough to care about our own hierarchy's overt misogyny.
I had no idea as well. How do we voice our concerns? Write our bishops? I am not sure how I would even write such a letter as I am not sure how all that works as far as the synod. I am still learning.
ReplyDeleteYou can certainly write to your bishop, but I also encourage you to share what’s happening with others. Right now not enough people are aware of the issue to even have a conversation about it.
DeleteIt’s also perfectly acceptable to write to the Pope! He ultimately has the power to make these decisions. You never know, you might get a call from the Pope!