Is the Pope working on elevating women in the religious community?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 09:29:58 -0400

The Pope addressed several issues in his speech at St. Patrick's Cathedral, I would like to address just one of them. He spoke directly to women thanking them for their role. What do you think about this?

"I would especially like to thank and express my esteem and gratitude to the religious women of the United States.

What indeed -- what would the church be without you? Women’s strength, fighters, with that spirit of courage which puts you on the front lines in the proclamation of the gospel. To you, religious women, sisters and mothers of this people, I wish to say thank you.

A big thank you and to tell you that I love you very much. I know that many of you are on the front lines in meeting the challenges of adapting to an evolving pastoral landscape, like Saint Peter, I ask you, that regardless of the difficulties and trials that you face, be at peace and respond to them as Christ did. He gave thanks to the father, took up his cross and looked forward."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/read-pope-francis-yorks-st-patricks-cathedral/story?id=34023376

What Pope Francis Said at St. Patrick's Cathedral

Pope Francis' first stop in New York was at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, where, at an evening prayer, he touched on the spirit of gratitude and hard work."Once we realize how much God has given us, we learn that a life of sacrifice, of working for him and for others, becomes a privileged...

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 25 at 2015 9:42 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 09:42:52 -0400

Excellent Question. It looks like he may be leaning that way but maybe I'm reading into this article.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 10:29 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:29:23 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member As with many things thus far, he is saying the right words, but little is changing in the official doctrine or operations of the Church.

At this stage, I am willing to give him the benefit of doubt and understand that in a institution as large and old as the church, real change will have to be generational, not decided in one sermon, speech, or encyclical.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 10:29 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:29:31 -0400

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 10:37 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:37:23 -0400

Response by SFC William Farrell made Sep 25 at 2015 10:44 AM

SFC William Farrell — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:44:09 -0400

I would hope that the Pope and the Catholic Church of which I am a member comes into the modern age and allows women to assume more roles in the church including ordainment.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 25 at 2015 11:40 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:40:46 -0400

The position held by the Liberal Catholic Church is that the Church, even if it wanted to ordain women, does not have the authority to do so and that it is not possible for a woman to become a priest even if she went through the ordination ceremony.

But, lets not talk about that, climate change,
illegal immigrants and economic disparity are more important than that. (sarcasm)

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 25 at 2015 1:20 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:20:24 -0400

Actually, change is not generational. The need for patience is nothing more than a plea for the minions to accept things the way they are in hope that they will change at some time in the future. Some historical examples: Slavery ended very abruptly in the United States with great pain and suffering. Decades of debate and compromise had accomplished nothing. Integration in the American military came abruptly with a single decree from President Truman. More decades of debate and compromised had accomplished nothing. Change in the position of the Catholic Church towards other Christian faiths came abruptly with Vatican II. Decades of... you get the idea. If this Pope truly wanted change, he could simply decree it and his decree would be accepted as the will of God.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 25 at 2015 2:29 PM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 14:29:34 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I think the Pope's visit has been a positive influence on the atmosphere of compassion in three of our big cities. It never hurts to have someone highlight compassion. Regarding women in the Catholic Church. The role is critical to the function of the Church and the theological ground work need to be worked on for eventual ordination. Women should be formal Church leaders and the institution will benefit from the inclusion.