Calling Catholic Women!! - Page 2

legeorge · #16 Apr 29, '05, 2:05 pm

O.K. Here's my email. Hope I wasn't too harsh.

Dear Miss Quindlen,
I am a Catholic woman. I am married. I am 32 years old. I have 4 children. That's right, we don't use artificial birth control. Imagine, Catholics who actually follow the teachings of the Church. I am here to tell you that I am not alone, and I am offended by your article. Maybe you could revamp your next article to let people know that this opinion of yours is just that, your opinion. In no way do you represent the feelings of all Catholic, especially truly Catholic, women. May I suggest reading Pope John Paul II's "Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World". It may prove enlightening. Such accusations like "literalists like to harp on the gender of Jesus himself" (and the 12 apostles as well, I assume) make me wonder if you have ever read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You may want to look it over before claiming that the Catholic Church is your Church. If you understood the priesthood in any way, you would understand the words in persona Christi, as well as the title Servant of the Servants of God. You see, the priesthood is not about "power"and "control". It is about service and humility. Could Mother Theresa have done a better job of caring for the poorest of the poor if she had worn a roman collar? I don't think so. By banging the drum of women's ordination you do a disservice to her and all women like her, who, with grace and humility, embrace their femininity, offer their lives in service to the Lord, and try to be good and faithful stewards of the gifts God has bestowed on them. You belittle their accomplishments. It is pride and arrogance that makes one assume they have more knowledge than the collected wisdom of the 2000 year history of the Catholic Church. Perhaps your time would be better spent prayerfully delving into the teachings of the Church rather than publicly railing against them. I hope you can find peace in yourself, and an acceptance of the religion you profess. Sincerely, L.E. George

jman507 · #17 Apr 29, '05, 2:34 pm

Are you like me, waiting on edge, so that women can become priests, so that people can blow off what they say. Well, I was almost going to say completely blow off what they say, but of course they will listen so long as they agree with it, if they do not agree, then 'whatever.'

**mercygate** · #18 Apr 29, '05, 2:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by legeorge

O.K. Here's my email. Hope I wasn't too harsh.

Dear Miss Quindlen,
I am a Catholic woman. I am married. I am 32 years old. I have 4 children. That's right, we don't use artificial birth control. . . . .. By banging the drum of women's ordination you do a disservice to her and all women like her, who, with grace and humility, embrace their femininity, offer their lives in service to the Lord, and try to be good and faithful stewards of the gifts God has bestowed on them. You belittle their accomplishments. . . . Perhaps your time would be better spent prayerfully delving into the teachings of the Church rather than publicly railing against them.. . .Sincerely, L.E. George

I would be proud to have a daughter like you. (elipses only to save space)

KWJR · #19 Apr 29, '05, 2:56 pm

Yes!

Ms.Quindlen (her article) definitely DIDN'T speak for me!

I found holes in her argument! She contradicted herself and in doing so appears to be running the foolish risk of even supporting the Catholic position on priesthood.

She said that:
“Literalists like to harp on the gender of Jesus himself. What they overlook is the fact that in clear violation of the norms of his own time, the founder of the faith surrounded himself with women. In seeking the counsel, opinions and advice of female Catholics, church leaders would not be conforming to modernity, but modeling Christ.”

Jesus Christ indeed was not (is not and won’t be) bound by the specific culture. Yes, Jesus ate with sinners and gentiles, spoke with women, and “surrounded himself with women”, etc. that were against the culture norms at that time. However, think about it, even he did all of these things that were against the norms, HE STILL DID NOT CHOOSE WOMEN as his 12 apostles. He could have chosen female apostles if he wanted to institute HIS CHURCH that way (considering his fearless actions). But he didn’t. He had the specific purpose and mission. Since we closely looked at “the fact that in clear violation of the norms of his own time, the founder of the faith surrounded himself with women”, we found the fact that He still didn’t choose women for his apostles, which the Church has been taught for 2000 years. Our Church has listened to women, advocated and protected women’s dignity in the world where women are objectified. The Church has been modeling Christ!

Jesus Christ’s primary purpose was not just to rebel against the norms, rather was trying to convey what is the Truth. Like “the founder of the faith”, the Church is here to speak the Truth-The Church is not here to rebel against the norms or keep the norms or change Her faith according to what the specific cultures want.

I am a woman and I strongly support Church teachings .

I am so glad that I found some women here who are faithful to the Catholic faith. Thank you! I will send an e-mail to the author of the article.

I placed a similar post in “Let our voice heard and amplified! Let’s stand up” - I found a very good website of an organization for women who are faithful. (http://www.wf-f.org/ - Women for Faith and Family). They gather signatures of women who are faithful to the Catholic faith and Church teachings. The list included Mother Teresa (she taught us the true feminism and womanhood by her holy example) and her order, too.

This is what they said on their website “THE AFFIRMATION FOR CATHOLIC WOMEN is simply a straightforward statement of fidelity to Church teachings—on some of the most controversial issues we face today. Signing it is a way of making your voice heard in support of your Catholic faith.” They have a lot of good information and articles on the web, too. I signed the affirmation and sent it the other day. Please check out the website. Please let’s do something!

**mercygate** · #20 Apr 29, '05, 3:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jman507

Are you like me, waiting on edge, so that women can become priests, so that people can blow off what they say. Well, I was almost going to say completely blow off what they say, but of course they will listen so long as they agree with it, if they do not agree, then 'whatever.'

What a contumelious thought for a thread like this. I blush for you.