BACAR, Inc.
“THE CHURCH IS RETHINKING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION!”
in collaboration with Discerning Deacons
Group and Individual Responses
#1 – Rethinking Women’s Participation
1.
We owe a debt of appreciation to the Korean Church for so succinctly
stating the issue that women are not recognized for the good they do.
They are the backbone of the Church, frequently excluded and not being
recognized. There is pain in this situation that women are “lesser than” and
not quite complete. Sisters without habits are seen as “cheap labor.”
Since Vatican II there has been limited progress as so much has not been
implemented. We need change because of corruption in the Church and
Church history does not support this thinking.
We have our goal set out for us: “Living into a prophetic witness of
universal communion so that the Church can be seen as more vibrant and
alive.
2.
There are substantial tensions and questions, while priests seem to be
much more hesitant in their role.
The Church prays for vocations to the priesthood and appears to be closed
to the idea that women perform many of the pastoral duties, although they
are banned from ordination and experience a diminishment. As one
women recently stated: “Men are the workers and women are the laborers.”
In one of our parish the Pastor led the discussion that included only two
questions and did not develop any further.
As women are being educated in religious studies, they need to be
considered for positions and pay to compensate their work.
A wider variety of services are needed at the parish level that can deal with
parishioners everyday lived experience.
Priests seem to be grounded in the status quo and comfortable with the
imbalance of power that has resulted
#2
Two things that struck me were:
One person said it was a must that women be allowed to become deacons now. If not now – when!? Her hope for the future is sort of riding on women becoming deacons now.
We had a lot of conversation about the works of religious orders as a stark contrast to many parishes. Women have been leading the way in serving human needs and working for social justice and climate change. The future depends on local parishes and dioceses leading in these areas rather than raising so many barriers and working at cross-purposes.
Having worked/ ministered in some parishes over the years, we reminded ourselves that we have tasted what can be. There is some hope in remembering those experiences, most under the leadership of women.
Thank you for all of your leadership and work on BACAR –
BACAR PROGRAM 5/17/2023
#3 BREAKOUT ROOM 12
1st question: Which inclinations, arising from the global Church, most resonate with you?
1. Women do most of the work and get little recognition
2. Lots of mention of “possibilities” but will they really happen or are they just placating?
3. Women fill the pews but can’t give their views
4. It is the Church’s loss that women’s gifts are not honored and used to the fullest extent
5. Lots of hesitation to accept women
6. Bishops did not fully endorse Synod participation in their dioceses
7. Hopeful for the next generation which is more inclusive
2nd question: Which tensions or divergences emerge as important for you?
1. Trying to make headway through the blockage of men
2. Not high on their priority list or pushed by USCCB
3. Francis is trying for change but many Bishops are not behind him
4. Some are undermining Francis’s more inclusive views and actions
5. Need to listen – which they are doing – but then get down to action – not just words on paper
6. 70 women out of how many men at Synod – will their voice really be heard? Who are these women and were they hand-picked to be more accepting and compliant with the status quo rather than push for meaningful change?
#4
Our group was diverse but all were basically hopeful that there would FINALLY be a favorable outcome of this recent Synod process.
Some of us were resisting cynicism but were trying to believe that the Church is willing to make changes for full inclusion of women.
All believed in more inclusivity-not just for women but for every person in every situation. “Widening the tent” was how this was expressed.
Our group has nurtured their spirituality, often distanced from patriarchic, hierarchical experience. This sisterhood has enabled us to be faithful to the true teachings of Christ.
Bottom line: the
We women want to be heard. We want to be in the decision-making process. We want to be inclusive.
BACAR, Inc. 