Pope hopes for more ‘widespread, incisive’ feminine presence

Last updated on: January 25, 2014 at 5:39 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope hopes for more ‘widespread, incisive’ feminine presence 2014-01-25T17:39:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Jan 25, 2014 / 10:39 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis met with a group of Italian women today, expressing his desire for women to participate more widely in the Church and in society without neglecting the family.

“I have been pleased to see many women share some pastoral responsibilities with priests in accompanying people, families, and groups, (just) as in theological reflection; and I hope that more spaces are widened for a feminine presence in the Church that is more widespread and incisive,” he said on Jan. 25 to members of the “Centro Italiano Femminile,” a women's group founded to promote democracy in Italy based on respect for the human person and Christian principles.

“These new spaces and responsibilities that are open, and that I vividly hope can further expand to the presence and activity of women, as much in the ecclesial sphere as in that of civil and professional, can not make us forget the irreplaceable role of women in the family,” Pope Francis emphasized.

Women’s particular qualities of sensitivity toward other people “represent not only a genuine strength for the lives of families, for the irradiation of a climate of serenity and harmony, but a reality without which the vocation human would not be able to be realized.”

Thus, urged the Pope, it is important that women be involved in both the public and domestic sphere. In fact, he said, one influences the other.

“If in the world of work and in the public sphere, a more incisive contribution by the feminine genius is important, this contribution remains essential in the environment of the family, which for us Christians is not simply a private place, but that of the 'domestic Church,' whose health and prosperity are the conditions for the health and prosperity of the Church and of society itself.”

Particularly in recent decades, the Pontiff acknowledged, “the identity and role of woman, in the family, in society, and in the Church, have experienced significant changes, and in general the participation and the responsibility of women has grown.”

While this is a positive development, the changes in women’s roles raise new issues, he noted.

“At this point the question arises: how you can grow in the effective presence of many areas of the public sphere, in the world of work and in places where the most important decisions are adopted, and at the same time maintain a presence and preferential attention and everything unique in and for the family?”

The Pope’s answer to the question of work-life balance hinged on the virtue of prudence: “here is the field of discernment which, in addition to reflection on the reality of women in society, requires constant prayer and perseverance.”

Because each woman has different circumstances, she must “always seek anew to respond to the Lord, in her concrete conditions,” through “dialogue with God, illuminated by his word, irrigated by the grace of the sacraments.”

Pope Francis also encouraged the women to turn to Mary as an example.

“She, who cares for her divine Son, has gained his first miracle at the wedding at Cana, she who was also present on Calvary and at Pentecost, indicates to us the way to go to better understand the meaning and role of women in society and to be totally faithful to the Lord Jesus and to your mission in the world.”

Vatican

Previous Post

January 25, 2014

Pope Francis will be at Roman basilica for end of Church unity week

Next Post

January 25, 2014 St. Therese devotees to launch Little Way social media campaign

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 1 Peter 1, what does Peter say is more valuable than gold?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Wisdom Righteousness Charity Faith