Tue Dec 1, 2009 12:56 pm
Investigate the InvestigationPerhaps the Spirit is offering women religious special teaching opportunities, kyros moments, in our day. At the recent African Synod and at the gathering of Asia-Oceania Meeting of Religious (AMOR) in Asia and Oceania, women religious asked to be considered and treated by the hierarchy of the Church as the baptized members that they are--sharing in Christ's power as king, teacher and priest.
The place and importance of the laity is being stressed more and more as the priest shortage worsens but rarely are women religious counted as part of the laity. If they are not part of the clergy, as the bishops emphasize, must they not be part of the laity? And if they are, is not their active ministry in the Church just as valid as that of the cloistered religious who are not included in the Vatican investigation? Are they not free to respond to the needs of the times in their own way and culture, or are they to be treated as "day laborers" in the Church, who labor under the bishops' command in schools, hospitals, seminary kitchens, etc. Is that what the hierarchy expected of all dedicated religious women?
Many religious communities in the United States have been gifted with highly educated, well trained women religious willing and able to read the signs of the times and minister by bringing Christ's message to their community, especially when the bishops have failed to provide priests for their people. Is not this what "the Church" expects of all the laity?
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