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1. This resolution is NOT about our personal beliefs about women's
role in church ministry, but rather whether VOTF should expand its
three goals (support of victims, support of priests of integrity, and
structural change). Although some people might see this as implied in
our third goal on structural change, it really seems to be adding a
new goal.
2. Historically, the founders of VOTF wisely decided not to take
positions on potentially controversial issues. Although many in VOTF
readily support reform of women's role in the church and actively work
on this cause through other organizations, making a policy statement
on this appears to go beyond VOTF's founding purpose and can dilute
our work on our primary goals.
3. Although the resolution does not directly call for women's
ordination, there is no church role that women aren't fully involved
in OTHER than priesthood. The only decision-making roles that women do
not have are those tied to ordination. The public will quickly see
this as a call for women's ordination, no matter how much we protest.
4. VOTF's mission and goals do not encompass the inequality of women
separate from the marginalization of all laypersons. If VOTF passes
this resolution it will distract from the other good things we are
about that tie more directly to our three goals.
5. There is a need in our church to give ALL the laity a meaningful
voice in decision-making. Clericalism (in which some priests see
themselves as a privileged class and, therefore, able to abuse power
with impunity) created a climate in which sexual abuse could be
perpetrated and covered up. If we focus on empowering the laity to be
an authentic and educated voice in the Church, full inclusion of all
women and men will follow.
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