Tag: inclusivity
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History may not have the answers
Much of the debate around the ordination of women to the diaconate or priesthood hinges on the interpretation of the early history of the Church. Were the women referred to as deacons really admitted to the same role and status as men who bore the same title? Did women really preside over early eucharistic home…
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Would a different question yield a different answer on the ordination of women?
This piece, Ordination of women: the Church is asking the wrong question, on the Global Catholic site is interesting reading. Essentially the argument is that when we ask “Can the Church ordain women?” we put the Church at the centre of discernment and immediately narrow the investigation. It goes on to suggest that a better,…
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Join the conversation
Members unfamiliar with ‘blogs’ may not have noticed interesting comments that have appeared on items posted in previous weeks. Hence this alert. Creating opportunities for ARC members to engage with each other around topics of mutual interest was an important element in the redesign of the ARC website. Links to recent items on the News…
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Synodality v Clericalism: Unfinished business
I was unaware of the existence of Global Catholic prior to reading a post by Peter Johnstone in the Australian Catholics Facebook group. The site claims to offer “insightful commentaries and diligent analyses of global events through a Catholic lens, from a distinguished team of writers.” Articles on the site appear to span news from…
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When the blind lead…
Maps and modes of transport are useless if we don’t know where we want to go. Our Church needs a shared vision of what we seek to become. Only then can we move forward together.
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Women in Church history
To most Catholics the actions of Popes Francis and Leo in appointing women to curial positions with significant authority appears as progress toward the recognition of women in the Church. It is not a serious breach in the wall of male clericalism and falls far short of the true equality that progressive Catholics would want.…
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NATSICC Sunday
This week is NAIDOC week. Sunday July 5 was NATSICC Sunday. NATSICC, the National Torres Strait and Indigenous Catholic Council, represents Australian Indigenous Catholics. This year the Day also celebrates the fortieth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s powerful address to the Indigenous community at Alice Springs. It speaks just as powerfully to our own…
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NAIDOC reflection
As I take my morning walks I typically listen to a podcast. On Sundays that is Soul Search from ABC Radio National. The content varies substantially from week to week but is mostly interesting and sometimes inspiring. Occasionally I will feel a need to follow up and learn more about a topic. This is NAIDOC…
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I’m a Catholic woman who was allowed to preach at Mass—until it was banned
The Vatican has rejected a request from the German bishops for special permission to allow lay men and women to preach homilies during Mass. Although the following article focuses specifically on women, it helps us appreciate what lay people can bring to preaching, and what is lost when their voices are silenced by the institution.
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The Theology of Chairs
Did Pope Leo choose to meet this gathering of lay leaders in this way or did he merely go with the way the Vatican arranged the meeting? Whatever the case, it appears that the Pope has missed a golden opportunity to show how Synodality works. As I stated in the latest ARCVoice, it is a…