The role of women in the life of the Church : a critical evaluation of recent Church teaching

Abstract

This research aims to analyse the correlation and convergence between the role of women highlighted in the teachings of Vatican Council II, as well as in post-conciliar or magisterial documents, and women’s dignity and meaning in the life of the Church and in the world. This study acknowledges the progress that the Church has made in this field. However, it recognises a much-needed complementary feminine presence in a male-dominated Church to ensure that the latter is, after all, maternal and feminine. The Church is often accused of being a patriarchal, misogynist and sexist institution that discriminates against women. This research attempts to shed light on the Church’s gradual promotion of women’s dignity as no other movement, namely, ideological, political or institutional, has done. A number of Church documents are explored to examine how they contribute, or at times fail to promote, the dignity of women. Reference to pertinent literature in this regard emphasises that the role and status of women should always be acknowledged and never misinterpreted or forgotten. The research undertaken is more pertinent in view of Pope Francis and his position on women’s roles in the life of the Church. His empathy with women is evident in his numerous short, but positive discourses on the subject. It shows that his pontificate on the theology of woman is a continuation of his predecessor’s. Francis concedes that the rise of feminist movements – apart from those he considered “inadequate” – coincides with the working of the Spirit for a coherent appreciation of the dignity and rights of women. The long difficult journey of women’s “liberation” is then in motion, until justice is done and until the Church is truly as God intended it to be.