Pope Hails Women's Role in Early Church Cites

[Charlotte]

Påven har tagit ett litet steg på vägen mot en förnyad syn på kvinnor i kyrkan. Men det är som synes många steg kvar att ta...

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Pope Hails Women's Role in Early Church Cites
Their Generous Contribution to Christianity

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 14, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI concluded his series of reflections on figures from the nascent Church by highlighting the decisive contribution of women to the development of Christianity.

"The Church gives thanks for each and every woman," the Pope said at the end of today's general audience, held in Paul VI Hall.The Church gives thanks "for all the victories which she owes to their faith, hope and charity: She gives thanks for all the fruits of feminine holiness," he stressed, quoting Pope John Paul II's apostolic letter "Mulieris Dignitatem."

"Women at the service of the Gospel" was the theme Benedict XVI chose for the catechesis, in which he began by reviewing the history of those women who became disciples of Jesus, paying special attention to the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene.

Given that the latter "not only was present at the Passion, but also became the first witness and herald of the Risen One," the Pontiff called her the "apostle of the apostles," quoting a reference made to her by St. Thomas Aquinas. Benedict XVI continued recalling the women that had a decisive role in the early Church, showing how they had roles of responsibility in their communities noting, as St. Paul said to the Galatians: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

The Holy Father pointed out that the apostle Paul "admits as something normal that woman can 'prophesy' in the Christian community, that is, pronounce herself openly under the influence of the Holy Spirit, on the condition that it is for the edification of the community and in a dignified manner."

"Therefore, the famous exhortation 'women should keep silence in the churches' must be relativized, " he added.

Different history.

The Pope also mentioned the case of Phoebe, a woman whom the Apostle calls "diakonos" of the church of Cenchreae, a small port city east of Corinth."Although at that time the title still did not have a specific ministerial value of a hierarchical character, it expresses a genuine exercise of responsibility on the part of this woman in favor of that Christian community," stated the Pontiff.

"In sum, the history of Christianity would have developed very differently if the generous contribution of many women had not taken place," Benedict XVI concluded.

Therefore, the Holy Father praised women for their contribution "in the course of the history of the Church," clarifying that he did so "in the name of the whole ecclesial community."

The Pope concluded by thanking God "because he leads the Church, from generation to generation, making use indistinctly of men and women, who are able to make their faith and baptism fruitful for the good of the whole ecclesial Body for the greater glory of God."

With this catechesis, Benedict XVI brought to an end the cycle of teachings on the figures of early Christianity, which he began last October with reflections on St. Paul.

[Bridget Mary Meehan]

Pope Benedict's praise of women in the early church is a postive step and could be a bridge to the institutional church's acceptance of women's ordination and full equality in the Roman Catholic church.

The church is at a crossroads. This talk indicates that the pope acknowledges women in leadership positions in the early church. I believe that this article s a signal that the institutional leaders are starting a dialogue that will lead one day to the full equality of women. In addition, I believe that this article sends a signal that Pope Benedict accepts the scholarship and arguments that in the early church women presided at Eucharist and served in leadership roles in the house churches.

In addition, Pope Benedict has not issued any formal excommunications of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. The Danube seven were excommunicated under the Pontificate of Pope John Paul 11. The Vatican seems to be taking a "wait and see" approach to our movement. Some of our U.S. bishops have issued condemnations and punishments, but Pope Benedict has not issued any formal excommunication of any of our womenpriests.

Roman Catholic Womenpriests have sacred space to create the new model of priesthood and offer it as a gift to the church. We are truly loyal daughters of the church. We are the path-finders -- pioneers --trailblazers midwives-- birthing a new renewed church in a community of equals.

As Roman Catholic womenpriests create together and witness a new model of priesthood in a community of equals, we are catalysts for the church's transformation and renewal and a sign of hope in our beloved church.

Bridget Mary Meehan, sfcc is a Roman Catholic Womanpriest

[Krysostomos]

In the early church there were female diacons, who had a certain liturgical role.
Now the orthodox church of Greece is studying the possibility to restore this practice. How about the latin church...

[Charlotte]

The Greek Church actually has opened the doors for women deacons again - in 2004.....

[Krysostomos]

Could one think that the Roman patriarchate should open the doors, too?!?

[Charlotte]

Well, Krysostomos, that's definitely possible.... The question is rather: when?

They're so far afraid to open the doors since they think that if they open them just a little bit - they will soon be wide open for further change in this regard - and they don't want that to happen...

Since then would women suddenly be seen almost as equals...also in the Church...