Vatican Newspaper Publishes Arguments for Allowing Women to Preach at Mass

Catholic Culture ^ | 3/2/16

[marshmallow]

The Vatican newspaper has published essays suggesting that women should be allowed to preach at Mass.

Under existing canon law, only priests and deacons are authorized to preach at Mass. But in a special section of L'Osservatore Romano dedicated to women's role in the Church, three writers call for a re-examination of that policy.

"This topic is a delicate one," acknowledges Enzo Bianchi, the founder and head of the Bose ecumenical community; "but I believe it is urgent that we address it." He says that allowing women to preach would be "a fundamental change in their participation in Church life."

Sister Catherine Aubin, a Dominican theologian, adds an observation that women have been effective evangelists throughout the history of the Church, and today are regularly invited to lead spiritual retreats. Sister Madeleine Fredell remarks that she is allowed to preach in Lutheran churches, and says, "I believe that listening to the voice of women at the time of the homily would enrich our Catholic worship."

[soycd]

>So God’s Truth changes with the times?

So we still stone our children to death in the streets for misbehaving?

[Mrs. Don-o]

True.

[piusv]

Where does God mention women should be silent in church?

Old or New Testament?

[soycd]

>Where does God mention women should be silent in church?
>Old or New Testament?

New if I recall...
1 Corinthians 14:34
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.

I can see why this might not float too well.

[opus1]

Maybe that’s why low mass took 25 minutes tops. Mass was not a big production with a troop of people on the altar, nor was it about “teaching” or “community.” Every day, early, 6 or 7 am, the priest came in and offered mass, regardless if one person was present, or none, or 50, 7 days a week in almost any church in any town, large or small. The mass was, contrary to current ideas, not complicated and not hard to follow. Everyone was on their own to worship, not like a military drill twirling and sitting in unison. It felt normal and natural and quiet. Many ordinary people went to mass on the way to work or school with no fuss; I did. I am making the distinction between low and high masses.

[miss marmelstein]

I just came across your post. Well do I remember the low Masses of my childhood! The nuns would lock us out of the school in winter and we would all go into church for 7:30am Mass. There would always be an old lady in the front row - “cramming for finals” said my 5th grade sister. The priest, as you say, went about his business quietly and quickly and we were out in 25 minutes or less. But it was a wonderful way to set up for the day. (Not many of us took Communion because we had eaten breakfast.)