As a loyal Catholic, I have felt but not expressed a sense that women’s talents have been overlooked in ministry roles; that men and women working together naturally, supporting and complementing one another in ministry would allow all members of the church to use their god-given gifts.
How many “lapsed” Catholics would return if only they could witness women being taken seriously, in the roles for which they are best suited?
Many ordinary Catholics wish to be ministered to by women as well as by men. For some Catholics, sacramental confession to a women would be easier, more healing or more appropriate than confessing to a man. Women also bring a distinctive grace to presiding at weddings, funerals and baptisms, preaching and celebrating Holy Communion.
Various organisations express the wish many Catholic women have to respond to their call to ordained ministry. Parishioners’ Call is a local advocacy group which encourages an open-minded re-thinking of the role of women in the Catholic Church.
In leading and serving jointly in the Catholic Church as women and men do now in education, science, medicine, the law and politics, women men could together transform the Church as profoundly as did St Clare and St Francis.
— Pamela Perry
All those interested in continuing the discussion are welcome to come to the first meeting of Parishioners’ Call: Learning from Clare and Francis: Servant Leaders in a Transfigured Church. The meeting will be held on January 20th, from 13.30 – 17.00 in St Osmund’s Parish Hall, Exeter St. Salisbury SP1 2SF. Light refreshments available between 1pm and 1.30pm. Guest speakers are Fr Aloysius Beebwa, Missionary of Africa, in conversation with Canon Anne Long. This will be followed by discussion and a liturgy.
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