Pope Francis-Women Should Play Expanded Role in Church by Frances D' Emilio

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-women-play-expanded-role-church-140955983.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

..."Francis told his audience that he had stressed "the indispensable contribution of women in society, in particular with their sensitivity and intuition toward the other, the weak and the unprotected." He said he has been heartened that "many women share some pastoral responsibilities with priests in looking after persons, families and groups" and he said he had hoped that "the spaces for a more diffuse and incisive presence in the church be expanded..."These new spaces and responsibilities that have been opened, and I strongly hope that they can further be opened up to the presence and activity of women, both in the church environment as well that of the public and professional" spheres, Francis said, "cannot make us forget the irreplaceable role of the woman in a family..."

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Pope Francis presides over a Vespers ceremony at Rome's St. Paul Basilica, at the Vatican, Saturday 

Bridget Mary's Response:

In this recent reflection, I am grateful that Pope Francis acknowledges the gifts of women in pastoral ministry, and opens the door to an expanded role for women in the church. However, this means that all roles including priestly ministry must be open to women. The author of this article states that the reason women cannot be ordained is that  "Jesus and his apostles were men."

First: It is likely that the apostles were also Jewish and married. The church today does not insist that priests be Jewish and married!  But it does insist that they be men. Could this be an example of sexism lurking in the hearts of the patriarchs? 

Second: There were more than 12 apostles and yes, according to the New Testament there were two women apostles.  In fact, one could make the case that Mary of Magdala was the primary apostle because the Risen Christ appeared first to her and  chose her as the apostle to the apostles, not Peter, to proclaim the Resurrection, the central message of Christianity. In Romans 16:7  Paul praised Junia and her husband Andronicus as outstanding apostles who were in Christ before he was and who were mentors to him.  "My greetings to Mary, who has worked hard for you to Andronicus and Junia, my kin and fellow prisoners;they are outstanding apostles and they were in Christ even before I was. "

Third: The twelve is a symbolic nunber and refers to the 12 tribes of Israel. 

Therefore, I conclude that the full equality of women in church and society including the ordination of women is the will of God in our times.  The Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement continues to grow as more and more women hear God's call and respond. What vocation shortage!? We are a holy shakeup whose time has come!

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org