Some months ago, former president Jimmy Carter withdrew his membership in the Southern Baptist Church. His reason: he could no longer support an institution that treated women as second class citizens. As a member of another group, which calls itself "The Elders", retired statesmen from around the world, he has discovered that the status of women in the world is, in part, the result of religious leadership that deems females as less than males. His hope is that raising the issue will prompt a close look at what the world's churches promulgate in their theologies about the worth of women. Members of every major world religion constitute this group. One is Nelson Mandela. Herewith, Jimmy Carter, 85, speaking about his concern.
I had a funny thought: is it possible that the Vatican sent some detectives over to check on American religious sisters because they really do wonder: what Spirit is living and breathing in these communities of holy women? Do the men in Rome have any conversations with women? Do they tap into the fecund spirit of this sorority? I remember in college how the girls wanted to be where the boys were... and vice versa. There's a lot to be said for cross pollenization. I hope they are clear sighted enough to see the profound insight women have to share with the wider church. Maybe an actual conversation will result.
1 comment:
I mean this in the best way as a mother of boys/men and the wife of a lovely man - they NEED us. And I'm so sorry for the men who don't realize that. Either through marriage or through friendship or through family. And we need them.
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