An Invitation to Catholic men to apologise...
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This
is an invitation to offer an apology to the women of the church for the
discrimination and unjust treatment women have received from our church.
We ask you to join us in this apology by signing this statement.
The list of signatories will be presented to Pope Benedict XVI on International Women's Day, March 8, 2010.- Throughout much of human history women have been treated as if they were not equal to men.
- While
many societies and nations have taken positive steps to eliminate this
injustice, the Catholic Church has been reluctant to change.
- We have not admitted women to full leadership in the community, and in this we continue to discriminate against them.
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Women may also sign to show their acceptance of the apology, and their support for the petition.
Signed by the Initiators: Tony Lawless, Helen Oxenburgh-Lowe, Barry Fletcher, Kate Vandenberg, Peter Ryan and Marian Oxenburgh. Email: gal328@netxp.com.au
...to the Women of the Church
| | In spite of St Paul's words: "There are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28), the church has refused to acknowledge that equality.
We have ignored the lesson contained in the example of Jesus when he made his resurrection known first to Mary Magdalene.
We
ignore the practice of the early church where many women hosted and led
communities, and instead we perpetuate the attitude common in ancient
times according to which women are treated as inferior.
It is undeniable that "women's ordination is a justice issue. Its basis is the value, dignity and equality of women" (Sister of Charity Louise Akers).
We
believe this to be true. Unfortunately we have not always seen this,
but instead we have lived, thought and acted as willing participants in
the male-oriented, clergy-dominated church.
We
now apologise to the Women of the Church for this injustice which
belittles your contribution to the life and mission of the
church, insults your dignity, and denies you a share in the
leadership of the Christian community.
We believe that the church has no right to repress, confine of subjugate even one of its members.
We
make this apology as an expression of support for and solidarity with
all Catholic women. We wish to acknowledge our solidarity in particular
with those religious women who have adapted their lives and apostolic
activities in accordance with the directives and spirit of the Second
Vatican Council (1962-1965). We also express solidarity with those
women who have responded willingly, but unsuccessfully, to God's call
to participate in the ministry of the church.
We
therefore raise our voices now, calling on the church, through the pope
and the bishops of the whole world, to give women equal opportunity
with men. Let all levels of ministry, leadership, and governance in the
church community, including priesthood, be open to all.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned.
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Why apologise? Click here for some of the ideas behind this invitation. |
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“All the faithful, both clerical and lay,
should be accorded a lawful freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought and freedom
of expression.” Gaudium
et Spes, No. 62, and Code of Canon Law No. 212 § 3. |
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“Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms
set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race,
colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
origin, property, birth or other status…” (United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Art. 2) |
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For open and stimulating discussion of the issue of discrimination against women, and an array of topics of central interest to catholics everywhere, visit Catholica |
[The] view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted
to one religion or belief. It is widespread. Women are prevented from
playing a full and equal role in many faiths.
Nor, tragically, does its influence stop at the walls of the church,
mosque, synagogue or temple. This discrimination, unjustifiably
attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for
the deprivation of women's equal rights across the world for centuries.
The male interpretations of religious texts and the way they interact
with, and reinforce, traditional practices justify some of the most
pervasive, persistent, flagrant and damaging examples of human rights
abuses. Jimmy Carter
See the Elders program: Equality for Women & Girls
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