A bit of sadness crept over me as I watched the
departing ceremony of Pope Francis. His
presence in our midst has called each of us to a more joyous and merciful way
of living. As a nation we have watched
him embrace persons in wheelchairs, kiss children, visit those in prison, meet
with victims of clergy sexual abuse, reprimand bishops, chide those in
political power, and call for us to turn away from a consumerist culture.
A former student of
mine posted this perceptive question: “could this be a time of spiritual
awakening?” Indeed, it could be. People from varied perspectives have repeated
and tweeted phrases from his various speeches and homilies. His visit has not simply touched the Roman
Catholic faithful, but Protestants and persons of other faith traditions. It is been a particular joy to me to hear the
soaring music of the church.
No religious figure rivals this pope in moral
authority, and he speaks across ecclesial and religious boundaries. His capacity to nudge people to live
ethically is remarkable. He is above all
a pastor and practical theologian, and he speaks with remarkable clarity.
Hardship has honed his humility. As a young Jesuit leader, he was imperious
with his priests and was demoted. He
attempted a doctorate in Germany and never managed to finish it. He spent time in barrios and became deeply
acquainted with poverty. Now he calls
the world to notice those marginalized by the global market and to live more
simply for their sake.
On these matters I agree with the Holy
Father. Yet, as a minister who has spent
her life working for justice for women in the church, I must register a
concern. Yesterday, Maureen Dowd of the New York Times wrote that Francis would
be a perfect 19th century pope.
She is known for her acerbic take on matters; however, the warrant for
her critique is the pope’s recalcitrance on the role of women in the
church. While he applauded the good work
of women religious, they were always ancillary to the center of worship and the
leadership of the church. The visual
imagery of the pope surrounded by men at every turn was striking.
While it is not possible to do everything at
once, surely the marginalization of women in the church requires sustained
attention. The pope offered a slight nod
to the possibility of married priests; why not open the conversation about the
ordination of women? Do not both fall
under the rubric of tradition rather than apostolic dogma?
At every event, the pope invited us to pray for
him. I have begun doing so, for the
world needs his continuing witness. I
will also pray that he will be able to hear those persistent voices calling the
church to welcome its daughters to every role within it. That would surely move him into the 21st
century!
Molly T. Marshall
Central prepares students to craft the future with God.
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