A friend of mine responded to my post Pope resigns. Elect a nun? and I wanted to share it here. I have known him since childhood and recently found out he is a Deacon for the Catholic Church and will be ordained a priest this summer. This is a lengthy response, but he provides a very well constructed defense for women and their role in faith and the history of the Catholic Church.
Enjoy the words of Deacon, soon to be Father Kurt Perera:
"Hi Darien, coming across your post, and being Catholic myself, I found your thoughts and those of this person that wrote the article interesting. While I completely disagree with the premise that is presented, I am delighted that many non-Catholics and others are thinking and discussing about these topics that pertain to the Catholic Church.
The major point I would ask those who share the opinion expressed in the WP article is “Why do we degrade women in thinking that their only influence and power comes from holding what is perceived to be a structural or hierarchical construct?” Are we only then reinforcing the stigma and widespread belief in our modern world that a woman only possesses power when they hold some sort of title?
If we look at the course of history, there have been many influential, powerful women in the world, especially within the Catholic Church. For example, look at the prior pontificate of Pope John Paul II. During the time of his pontificate, while he was indeed a very visible figurehead of the Church, there were many who would argue that the face of Catholicism did not rest on the Pope, but rather an Algerian nun working in the slums of India.
The woman I am referring to, is of course, Mother Teresa. Besides winning the Noble Peace Prize, and speaking at various conferences and groups such as the U.N. – Blessed Mother Teresa was revolutionizing the face of Catholicism to the world by feeding and helping the most vulnerable of society. Where was her title? Where was her office? Was she even a priest or the pope? No. Yet she possessed tremendous power and influence over the entire world.
Her empowerment came from something more than an office or being part of ordained ministry. Her empowerment came from someone - God, whose face she showed daily to the people she loved and cared for. This is where true empowerment begins. A man can hold whatever titles he want – be it “Father,” “Bishop” and even the “Pope.” Yet he would not have any true power and influence if he did not reflect the love of God for others in his life.
I can provide other examples of Catholic history where women have played instrumental, powerful roles that are often remembered more so than the men who have held ecclesiastical power. Other examples include Teresa of Avila who set the world aflame with her reformation of religious life, Terese of Leseiux who was a cloistered nun who practiced the simple way of “love,” to even Joan of Arc who garnered and enthused an entire nation to fight for their freedom. The Church honors and celebrates these women as “saints” and some as “doctors of the Church.”
Be careful on what you read as well as “Pope Joan” is not an accurate account of Catholic history. There are many who try to discredit the Catholic Church by presenting it as a hierarchical structure that oppresses people who do not fit within their schema. Be wary of these sources… the truth is at times harder and not as “sensational” to accept than falsity – so the media presents things according to what they want to see.
Another problematic area in this article is the false dichotomy between doing charitable works and following a doctrinal teaching of the church. Works of charity and love do not limit belief. Rather it is authentic belief that inspires one to works of charity. Yes, it is true that the “visible face” of those who hold ecclesiastical offices are not often seen “in the trenches” or “getting their hands dirty” with the poor in Africa, etc. I agree that it would be good to do more – as there is always room for growth and conversion. However, to say that a woman is more knowledgeable, would bring more attention to, and more likely to carry out such activities over men, reflects a certain sexism that is a form of discrimination. There are many men, clergy included, who are carrying out charitable work for the poor.
Same thing with the abortion issue presented in the opinion article. Sometimes what is needed in a situation is not someone who has necessarily experienced the same situations as the other, but one who can objectively look at the situation and offer a solution independent of one’s personal experience. This might seem cold and harsh at first, but the two do not have to be separate. A person can objectively look at a situation and still be compassionate.
For example, why do people seek out the advice of doctors for their illnesses? Does it mean that I only go to a doctor if I know the doctor has experienced the same illness? Do cancer patients only go for treatment to a doctor who has had cancer herself? No. They go to a doctor because she is specialized in treating whatever illness it is, independent of whether she has had it or not. The argument that women would bring awareness to issues that only a woman can, is false. Once again this actually promotes a sexist view of women. What is needed - is more men who are able to embrace and see the side of women in a compassionate, understanding way, yet also be able to objectively analyze the situation for what it is.
One day very soon God willing I will be a priest of the Catholic Church. I hope never to degrade or limit the role of women, but truly recognize their import within the church and within the world. The only way that we can bring about true empowerment and the betterment of society is when we recognize the proper roles of our particular calling whether one be a man or a woman.
Confusion erupts when we are seeking a false “equality” that in the end destroys who we are in the very core of our beings (our ontology). Promoting and celebrating who we are and our strengths in being a “man” and being a “woman” and the roles proper to it, is where true harmony lies. This does not degrade who we are as “women” and “men,” but follows in harmony and nature to the way God intended it to be. It will not come about by confusing, switching, or neutering our particular roles in who we are as our particular sex. Thank you once again for your thought provoking article."
