FUTURE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights. Hillary Clinton

Women, the most beautiful creation of God in his own image and likeness, is molded primarily
with feminine aspects of God; caring and loving. Even after the five thousand years of human
history, woman continues to be rich being and yet to be fully revealed. In present scenario, with
their presence in many realms which was apparently impossible earlier, women can be defined as
the bundle of virtues, capsule of talents and sheath of moral values.

In Christianity, the early church lived the ideal of men-women equality, preached by Jesus. We
see many women holding responsible positions in the house churches and carrying out many
works of the community. Women also have the majestic history of being respected like queens,
soldiers, great political leaders, missionaries etc. A good number of women religious have been
influential in the life of the church like saints, theologians; doctors of the church etc. many
women in the history adorned the church with their natural charisms, talents and dedicated
services. Women have contributed to the church in many ways; in building up of the church in
the homes especially by handing on the faith to their children, in the service to the parish etc. The
really significant change is in the self-concept of women, in a movement toward autonomy and
self determination. There is no doubt today more women are involved in numerous and varied
ministries in both the parish and diocesan levels.

Women are the most discussed subjects; more used objects with and without their knowledge.
Women are highly educated, morally mature, extremely capable, outstandingly creative with
their natural inclination of life are not allowed to be authentic in the society. There are both
positive and negative experiences of a women working with the clergy. Such experiences lead to
mistrust, pain from the part of women. May be because of this reason the discussion on women
decisive roles in the church evokes strong emotions. Since their voices are absent from the
decision making process women are affected disproportionately. The church documents and
many Popes recognize women’s absence in the leadership positions. It is really a great challenge
to admit women in to the hierarchy. But the changes should begin from lower level, where the
local bishops and priests should feel comfortable with the presence of women in the positions.
The recent synod at Vatican in 2018 also asserts that the absence of women voices, subtracts the
precious contribution from discernment and emphasized the need to find a broader way of
involving them at various levels in the church. Greater female presence would break the
clericalism. The church needs constantly to explore new ways in which women can exercise
leadership in the church.

I feel that redefining the role of women in the church and society must start from women
themselves and it should be promoted and encouraged by their counterparts and thus will be able
to achieve a complete or true wholeness of humanity. Women must know their richness and
inspire and encourage each other to have abundance of life. Instead of pointing at the particular
structure I think women need to realize that it is our responsibility to take the dignity and live the
equity. Women are also part of the solution. Women cannot be the spectators of the change in the
church. But be the part and parcel of change and without allowing oneself to be victimized by
any hidden agenda political, physical or ecclesiastical powers.

Women religious can become a reconciliation factor in the time of chaos in the church as
Catherine of Siena during the time of Avignon Papacy. Accepting and treating with dignity, the
women in the church will become even faithful daughters of the church following the example of
Ruth, the daughters-in-law of Naomi. Women will become God chosen leaders, when
encouraged by the church, as in the period of leaders in salvation history; they become ‘modern
Deborahs’. Women play a strong role in accompanying the church, when church faces the
rejection, mocked by other religions, challenged by human sectarianism, inspired by the humble
yet profound character of Virgin Mary who walked till Calvary with her son who is the head of
the church.

By all means their ambience is enlarged in the society profoundly. It shows their moral power
and authority of intuitive capacity. In this epoch some efforts have been made to restore the
original dignity of women in the church. The church is the most reliable institution which could
contribute a lot to raise the status of women in the society, but church has a lot more to do for the
dignity of women. The church in theory upholds the dignity of women and gives great
importance to the concept of motherhood in practice; but she is not willing to give the same
responsibility to women in decision making and in other spheres of ecclesial hierarchy. Although
the church feels the need to reform continually its structures and practices and renew its
relationships within, still in reality the church is far away in its inclusion. Men should step down
from their throne of superiority and honor the space of women with respect. Men and women on
equal terms write the human story.
The time has come. If the church wants its pastoral ministry become more effective then we need
to become true collaborators, mindful of our weaknesses, but being grateful of our gifts. At the
parish and the diocese level every pastor has to feel the importance of collaboration.
Collaboration is essential if women are to have a voice in church decision making process. Their
voices need to be heard. It is not an option; it is the way that mature Christian expresses their
unity in Christ and work together to fulfill his mission in the world. There is no force more
powerful than a women determined to rise. I would even say that though the church is truthful in
its teachings, in praxis it fails to translate these truths in to action and thus to reach out to her
daughters.

In conclusion, if women could bring the adamant pope from Avignon to Rome, if a women could
lead the huge flock of Israel inspite of the presence of many men in the community, and if a
suffering young girl could become a vital instrumentality in economy of salvation, why not
women of our current times be given opportunity to play their role in the church. One cannot
negate the fact that women have greater inclination towards life. The diversity of women’s gifts
should not be feared but recognized as a sign of the church’s vitality.