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The Congregation for the Doctrine
of Faith's April 18 doctrinal assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women
Religious is not about doctrine. It is not primarily about
protecting the faith or ensuring an ecclesiology of communion, no matter how
many times these terms are woven through the report. It is fundamentally
about fear -- fear of the loss of power -- and the willful use of
dominative control to defend that power.
. . . .
The final report of the LCWR assessment reveals a
desperate attempt on the part of some fearful and angry church
leaders to protect their turf -- to maintain an all-male church leadership, to
keep women and laypeople under their authority, and to shield the
homophobic-homosexual subculture in the leadership of the Catholic
church.
The
pattern of using coercive intimidation to control others in one's household is
called domestic abuse. . . . .
Whether through hits or
humiliations, broken bones or broken spirits, threats of bodily harm or warnings
of impending excommunication, the goal of abusers is the same: Assert absolute
control. Wear the person down until he or she gives in or gives up. Use
punishment if he or she dares to claim his or her own authority.
The most dangerous time in a household where domestic
abuse is present is right after the person being abused has stood up to the
abuser. Have too many members of LCWR claimed their own authority? The classic
domestic abuser seeks one thing above all else: obedience to dictates. It is not
surprising that obedience is alluded to on every page of the final doctrinal
assessment document.
- Abusers believe they are entitled to maintain power and control over those
in their households (institutions).
- They may believe they have an obligation to compel obedience for the benefit
of the victim and the good of the household (church).
- They do not identify their controlling and hurtful tactics as abusive and
are insulted when others perceive them that way.
- Perpetrators tend to perceive all interactions within relationships through
a prism of compliance or disobedience.
- Abusers tend to be insecure men who need to establish dominance to feel
confident.
. . . .
What kinds of people abuse others? While there is no
single profile of the domestic abuser, research has identified characteristics
frequently seen among perpetrators of all types. Ironically, there is not much
difference between those who use their fists and those who use words alone to
demand obedience.
. . . .
Some male abusers have been found to harbor a secret
loathing of females, considering them inferior. Since such attitudes are
certainly present in the history of the church (read St. Jerome), it is possible
that its influence still inhabits, consciously or the unconsciously, the
collective mind of church leaders.
The persistent desire of
hierarchical leaders to keep women under their control and out of their sphere
of leadership, especially women theologians, suggests that the "Jerome Syndrome"
might still be operative.
Read
more
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Yes, this is the reason that the Vatican fears women priests. Our agenda is a renewed priestly ministry in a more open, transparent, community-oriented, egalitarian, empowered church. Now you can see why the Old Boys Club goes after anyone or any group that supports women's ordination and/or women's empowerment.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
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