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2. It is a mistake to see this as an additional goal or a distraction. This resolution is essential to increase the voice of the laity. Tue, 3/4/08 11:58 PM
8. If we believe that God hears the voice of those dealt with unjustly, and addresses the injustices through prophets and a prophetic community, then it behooves VOTF to step out in faith and engage its prophetic calling given in Baptism. Mon, 3/3/08 10:30 AM
10. We are "expected" to do most of the social justice ministry. How can they expect us to be content with our second class role? Even the Greek ORTHODOX allow female deacons! That's not complete ordination, but it's a big step in the right direction. Mon, 3/3/08 7:51 AM
14. It's a sad commentary on our Church that we even need this Resolution. Although I understand VOTF's history as a response to the clergy abuse crisis, that crisis is a symptom of the Church's problems, not the cause. It is unfortunate in my view that we find it necessary to use that abuse to justify a greater role for women in the church. Women should have a greater role in the church because we are co-equal heirs of God's love and grace, not just because we might have spoken up sooner about the abuse of our children. Sun, 3/2/08 11:50 AM
15. While the laity as a whole is not allowed adequate Church participation in consonance with the justice of Christ and with its gifts, lay men have for hundreds of years been allowed significant participation. I will not cite specifics due to space constraints. Women, however, have continually been relegated to subservient roles, even in lay ministry. No matter how much lip service is given, their participation is constricted compared to men's and needs to be specifically studied and addressed. The lack of female church participation is indeed a factor in past and ongoing sexual and other abuse of persons by the clergy. Thank you and God bless you. Sat, 3/1/08 11:57 PM
16. This reminds me of the rift in the movement against slavery and for women's suffrage. Not to take special note of women's lack of voice and authority is to acquiesce in their continuing marginalization. To "examine the role" is not a bold demand. If we can't even do that, I give up. Sat, 3/1/08 9:29 PM
18. Some astounding facts as to why this re-examination is long-overdue! 1. In 1976 the Pontifical Biblical Commission declared that the Bible cannot be used to justify an all-male priesthood, specifically, that: 'priest' was never used in connection with Christian ministry; the NT said 'very little on the subject of the ministry of the Eucharist"; the pastoral letters never attributed to the Christian leadrs, the 'eucharistic function". 2. There is historical and epigraphical evidence that women in fact did serve as ordained deacons and presbystera into the 11th century. 3. According to both Paul and Luke's definition of 'apostle', women did meet the criteria of having witnessed the Resurrected Christ and having been sent as missionaries; 4. To insist that priesthood must be male if it is to represent Christ is to argue that priesthood represents a different Christ from the one which the other sacraments embody & Proclaim -- also, if women do not image Christ, then Christ could not have redeemed them...."what He didn't assume, He didn't redeem." Sat, 3/1/08 5:49 PM
22. it's time that women are able to get more involved in the church. The shortage of priests is the main reason, but also the coverup that has happened with the male hierarchy would probably never happened if women were in charge or at least more in power. Sat, 3/1/08 2:05 PM
23. the climate in the church will not change until the marginalization of women is eliminated. We can pretend to have a voice and say in the organization of the church but until the church acccepts women into the clerical ranks things will not change. Sat, 3/1/08 12:55 AM
24. The time in which we live requires the courage to speak out and stand up for what we "know.". "Playing it safe," merely replicates the behavior that resulted in the kinds of cover-ups this organization condemns. Imagine how a "negative" vote will be interpreted 10 or 15 years from now. My guess is that it will be "judged" much the same way that those who decided to "keep quiet" about sexual abuse (for the sake of "harmony/unity/not destroying one's "credibility/effectiveness with the "powers that be" a decade ago are viewed today. Fri, 2/29/08 6:20 PM
27. opponents say to approve this resolution would add a goal; I see it as an activity under the third goal; not sure how to answer #4 because am not sure what it implies: are we talking here about women priests? If that is the point, i think to do so would be premature; lets pressure the "church" to re-examine first. Fri, 2/29/08 12:24 PM
29. The Church (and its hierarchy) needs to restructure the role it gives to women inbuilding the spiritual life of its membership. There is obviously no equality in the administrative Or teaching and spiritual leadership roles it assigns. It's present male orientation is long overdue for examination and the need for that is exasperated by the pressing shortage of clergy. We need to press this problem from within the Church's membership since our leadership, in keeping with it's centuries old missorientation on the subject shows no sign of more all-inclusive thinking - no policing of itself. It is in my opinion a proper role of VOTF to take on. I do not, however, feel that it should be tied to a need to have women more involved so as to avoid future clergy sexual mistreatment of minors. Tieing the two together is a stretch and should not be done -- women's role in the Church is too big an issue not to take on in and of itself. Fri, 2/29/08 11:52 AM
32. In view of the fact that the church historically has had women deaconesses, I would like to see the restoration of women in the deaconate. The patron saint of my profession—dentistry—was a deaconess of Alexandria. Ordained deaconesses are part of the ministry and governance of other hierarchical Christian communions. Although still controversial, experience shows that they work well in those positions. I am a single man that came into the full communion with the Roman Catholic Church from such a Christian communion. That probably explains my easy acceptance of women in such a role. However, I also know that Jesus is very clear in the Gospel that his Church should be inclusive. Fri, 2/29/08 5:18 AM
34. I am a victim of childhood sexual abuse by a seminarian/priest and I am grateful for VOTF's presence and commitment to support victims, priest of integrity and to work for structural change in the church. I think having women in leadership and as ordained priests would make the church a healthier environment, and help the church respond to modern conditions. I believe it is important, a prophetic obligation, for VOTF to support women's ordination. Thu, 2/28/08 10:59 PM
35. I have limited interest and participation in VOTF activities due to limited time. My life is required much change and adaptation. It is difficult to attend Mass, making it central to my life. I would feel better if the future didn't look so limited for Catholics. This would increase the # of Catholics as more committment could be fully realized. This would open up our church for revitalization. Thu, 2/28/08 10:10 PM
39. The largest reason I've been inactive in VOTF was it's reluctance to address the issue of women's role in the church. What happened with the sexual problems was not only scandalous and reprehensible but the worst was the effort to cover it up and allow this. Hopefully, but vigilantly this will be overcome. However, how can the church overlook 51% of the population when it moans and groans about the lack of vocations. I'm a graduate of the U of Holy Names in Oakland, CA. Our faculty were the most exceptional, intelligent women I've had the opportunity to work with. This is an issue that you need to address and co-sponsor with Call to Action. Bridget Nelson Thu, 2/28/08 8:07 PM
40. To proceed with this resolution is an act of courage and important at this time. Thu, 2/28/08 8:06 PM
41. Question #2 was hard to answer because lay men are not included in church governance as they should be either; but women still have the inequality in the wider society to overcome which compounds the matter within the church. The laity, as a group, have a long way to go in claiming their rightful roles within the church because we have grown up in the present system that limits our roles; just as trying to establish self government in nations where there is a long history of authoritarian government. At least in U.S. and western Europe we have some models of full leadership in the working world to be able to transfer into our church but we still have to claim it. Thu, 2/28/08 8:00 PM
44. I am put in mind of the history of Grameen Banking, where, initially, loans were taken out equally by men and women. Over the years, the concern of women to develop self-sufficiency for their families and their communities has raised neighborhoods and villages up out of grinding poverty. But men, who mostly borrowed to buy toys, were not reliable borrowers- were not committed to improving the lives around them. Now borrowers are 97% women. In the same way, the Church has been run by self-interested men. If we are to save our beloved Church, and, especially protect our families, women will be the prime movers. We must develop greater roles for women with greater authority at every level of governance. As to the ordination of women, I just refer to the words of consecration: Jesus said, 'Take this, ALL of you', and a minute later, 'Do this in memory of me'; He was still talking to ALL. He did not say, 'Men, do this..., women, go do the dishes'. Jesus instituted seven sacraments for His followers: we ALL are entitled to receive all seven. Thu, 2/28/08 6:42 PM
47. This all fits in with structural change. It should be studied along with marriage of priests whether men or women. Thu, 2/28/08 6:09 PM
48. I asked my pastor about women priests. He is in favor of this, knows the role of women who befriended and worked with St Paul. He said the most likely reason against women priests is the male chauvinist laity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. My response is Latin America is becoming Protestant because of a shortage of priests. Thu, 2/28/08 5:58 PM
49. Nothing has changed really. The environment is still exactly the same. We can learn from the Episcopalians who addressed this problem years ago. The Jews and the Catholics haven't, and we both have very high abuse rates. Until women are allowed to move up into the upper echelons of "management" of the Roman Catholic Church, nothing will change on the abuse front. And until we take our money elsewhere (as so many have done before us in history), the "management" won't even look up to see what we're doing and won't consider changing any aspect of the church. I would hate to see this destroy VOTF, but if we don't start a civilized dialog about women as deacons, women as priests, and eventually women in decision-making positions within the dioceses and on up, then we have to sit back and prepare to do nothing for the next 100 years. It isn't right and it needs to be discussed. A church-wide examination is where we need to start. Thu, 2/28/08 5:54 PM
53. I have written 2 papers on this topic and am working on a local survey in Los Angles and welcome your work on this. Thu, 2/28/08 5:05 PM
54. Women, both married and single, have vocations to the priesthood. The Vatican should recognize these vocations. The vocations of married men should also be recognized. There should be no discrimination in the Catholic Church. I fear, however that if VOTF addresses this issue, the Vatican will respond unfavorably. Thu, 2/28/08 5:03 PM
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