Women at the Vatican: Photo CNS/Paul Haring
Acknowledging that women can be leaders in the Roman Curia, Pope Francis said it wasn’t enough to “recover” their role in the church, calling for the promotion of women.
Catholic News Stories published his remarks, along with some additional context, and an interesting passage where the Pope articulates differences between spiritual directors and confessors.
From the article:
It’s not easy,” the pope said. “A spiritual director is one thing and a confessor is another. I go to a confessor, say what my sins are, feel condemned, then he forgives everything and I go forward.
“But with a spiritual director, I have to talk about what is in my heart. The examination of conscience isn’t the same for confession and for spiritual direction,” he said. “For confession, I have to look at where I was lacking, where I lost patience, if I was greedy — that kind of thing, those concrete things that are sinful.
“But in spiritual direction, I must examine what is happening in my heart, where the Spirit is moving, if I felt desolation or consolation, if I am tired, why I am sad: These are things to talk about with the man or woman who is my spiritual director,” he said.
Do you think the RC Church will ever ordain women? Do you think it could happen in the near future?
Posted by David Streever
All Content © 2017 Episcopal Café
Until the Curia or someone changes the RC church’s canon which says “males” can be ordained nothing new will happen on that front. The Episcopal Church’s canon says “he” which may be taken generically so we can ordain women and did.
Ummm…no.
As a spiritual director, I appreciate the Pope’s distinction between the role of a spiritual director and the role of a confessor. His definition of spiritual direction considering what is “happening in my heart, where the Spirit is moving. . .” affirms what is already being done by many women of many faith traditions, and challenges the male priests within Roman Catholic Church who have conflated the two ministries.
it’s like Israel having to wander long enough for a generation or two to die off before they were ready for the promised land. Rome was on that pilgrimage a few decades ago–and then they changed their mind or got a flat tire or something. A generation will have to move into Vatican leadership that isn’t afraid at least to walk away from – if not absolutely refute – the dug in positions taken by the pope previous to this one.
“Do you think the RC Church will ever ordain women? Do you think it could happen in the near future?”
When I was in my 20s, I was sure I would live to see it. Then when I was in my 40s, I was sure I wouldn’t. Now approaching my mid-50s, I’m honestly not sure. [Will it EVER happen? The Holy Spirit is in charge here, and I’m sure those men in Rome will not be able to resist Her forever! 🙂 ]