He is promoting women
On the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, we remember an aged, but energized, Pope John XXIII convening a seemingly massive meeting of bishops in Rome. He didn't survive to see it through. And two of his eventual successors attempted to reverse or ignore the improvements he instituted.
Now, Pope Francis, the first pope consecrated after the Second Vatican Council, takes up the mantle of dormant reform and breathes fresh life into this transformational council.
John and Francis share many similarities. Both streamlined the papacy. John no longer sat on the papal throne or wore a jeweled-encrusted tiara. Francis left the opulent papal palace to live with Vatican workers in a neighboring guest home. Both emphasized God's mercy above judgment, had a common touch, and in their older years came off as almost grandfatherly. However, if necessary, he might intercede aggressively. John limited the authority of traditionalists in the curia who attempted to derail changes on the table. And, nine years ago, Francis began curial reform, and he recently announced his reorganization, which is more mission-centered than power-centered.
There are distinctions. Angelo Roncalli progressed through the church's ranks to become nuncio in non-Catholic nations until he served in France and became aware of the need of interfaith cooperation. Jorge Bergoglio, a rising Jesuit star and young bishop, then archbishop, campaigned in Latino circles to help Hispanic Catholics. John had grand ambitions for the church and convened a council to make it relevant for a new age and a new world. Francis has made no spectacular gestures, instead relying on his Ignatian upbringing to provide the church with a discernible presence, which he refers to as synodality. Synod means voyage, and he has begun a worldwide hearing and traveling process to give laypeople a voice as stakeholders.
Since John's pontificate, the globe has been bombarded by interest groups arguing for various changes. And the ambitions of society invaded the church. One of these is the role of women, which was developing but not as outspoken in the early 1960s. Today, feminists picket in St. Peter's Square and risk jail to protest what they see as an obvious injustice: no women priests. Francis has convened a second commission to investigate ordaining women as deacons, a practice that dates back to early Christianity. However, he appears uncertain, and it may wither on the vine.
While women have worked in numerous curial congregations, which are now dicasteries, Francis has appointed a dozen to administrative positions in the previous two years. Recently, two women religious, Italian sister Raffaella Petrini, French sister Yvonne Reungoat, and one laywoman, Maria Lia Zervino, have joined the Vatican office that screens bishop candidates and has the most influence in installing bishops who agree with Francis' pastoral approach. Petrini, a Franciscan, is already the Governorate of Vatican City State's next Secretary General. He also named six women to oversee the Vatican's finances. And a few laypeople in various positions.
"Management is not ministry," one theologian pointed out, but sitting women at the table alongside cardinals and bishops is revolutionary and a little first step. It also answers a long-running debate: baptism, not gender, qualifies for service. Some members of the hierarchy see this as a precipice. Francis sees it as resolving unfinished business from Vatican II. Perhaps women belong in places other than the conference room.
#Pope #Vatican #PopeFrancis #PeacefulRevolution #PromotingWomen
SOURCE: yahoo
What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment