At 12:15pm today in the Sala Clementina at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience, participants partaking in a Seminar on the theme: God entrusts human beings to women (MD, 30). This gathering is sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in celebration of the XXV anniversary of the publication of Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem on the dignity and vocation of women. The Seminar concludes today, having been held from October 10-12.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
I share with you, even if briefly, the important theme which you have discussed during these past few days: the vocation and the mission of women in our times. Thank you for your contribution. The occasion for this meeting is the 25th anniversary of the Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem written by Pope John Paul II: a historical document, the first in the Papal magesterium dedicated entirely to the theme of women. In particular, our understanding of the subject was enhanced by it's teaching that God entrusted himself in a special way to the care of man, to the care of humanity, to the care of women (MD, 30).
What does it mean to especially entrust, to especially entrust a human being to women? I find it evident that my predecessor was referring to maternity. Many things can be changed, and are changed through cultural and social evolution, but the fact remains that women conceive, carry in their wombs and give birth to the children of men. This is not simply a biological fact, it carries a wealth of implications both for the woman herself, for her way of being, and for her relationships, for the way she respects human life and life in general. By calling women to motherhood, God has entrusted the care of human beings to them in a very special way.
Here, however, there are two ever-present dangers, two polar opposites that can destroy a woman and her vocation. The first is to reduce motherhood to a social role which, although noble, sets the woman apart, along with all her potential, and therefore does not allow her to achieve her full potential in the construction of the community. This danger exists both in civil and in ecclesiastical life. And, as a reaction to this, there is another danger in the opposite direction: the creation of a kind of emancipation which, by occupying spaces which are no longer occupied by males, abandons the feminine along with the precious traits that characterize it. Here, I would like to emphasize that women have a particular sensitivity to the things of God, especially in helping us to understand and appreciate the mercy, tenderness and love that God has for us. I also like to think that the Church is not impersonal. We should not think of the Church, but rather we should think of the Church as a woman, she is our mother and this is beautiful. You should think about this and strive to deepen your appreciation for it.
Out of this context arises the Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem. It offers a profound organic reflection with a solid anthropological foundation enlightened by Revelation. At this point, we must leave and return to the work of deepening and promoting the wishes that I have already voiced on several occasions. Even in the Church, it is important to ask: what place is there for woman. I suffer - I'm telling the truth - when I see in the Church or in some ecclesiastical organizations that the role of service - the role that has been entrusted to all of us, and which we should all embrace - that a woman's role of service slips into servitude. I don't know if you have this saying in Italian. Do you understand what I'm trying to say? When I see women who are subjected to blind servitude, and that they don't understand properly the role that should be theirs. What presence should women have in the Church? Is it possible that they can be greatly valued? This is a reality that is very close to my heart and this is why I wanted to meet you - it's really against the regulations because it's not normal that I should meet with this kind of group - to bless you and to encourage you in your work. Thank you. Let's work together on this project. May Holy Mary, that great lady, Mother of Jesus and of all the children of God, accompany us.
Thank you.
Address of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
to participants in the Seminar commemorating
the XXV anniversary of the publication of
Mulieris Dignitatem
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
I share with you, even if briefly, the important theme which you have discussed during these past few days: the vocation and the mission of women in our times. Thank you for your contribution. The occasion for this meeting is the 25th anniversary of the Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem written by Pope John Paul II: a historical document, the first in the Papal magesterium dedicated entirely to the theme of women. In particular, our understanding of the subject was enhanced by it's teaching that God entrusted himself in a special way to the care of man, to the care of humanity, to the care of women (MD, 30).
What does it mean to especially entrust, to especially entrust a human being to women? I find it evident that my predecessor was referring to maternity. Many things can be changed, and are changed through cultural and social evolution, but the fact remains that women conceive, carry in their wombs and give birth to the children of men. This is not simply a biological fact, it carries a wealth of implications both for the woman herself, for her way of being, and for her relationships, for the way she respects human life and life in general. By calling women to motherhood, God has entrusted the care of human beings to them in a very special way.
Here, however, there are two ever-present dangers, two polar opposites that can destroy a woman and her vocation. The first is to reduce motherhood to a social role which, although noble, sets the woman apart, along with all her potential, and therefore does not allow her to achieve her full potential in the construction of the community. This danger exists both in civil and in ecclesiastical life. And, as a reaction to this, there is another danger in the opposite direction: the creation of a kind of emancipation which, by occupying spaces which are no longer occupied by males, abandons the feminine along with the precious traits that characterize it. Here, I would like to emphasize that women have a particular sensitivity to the things of God, especially in helping us to understand and appreciate the mercy, tenderness and love that God has for us. I also like to think that the Church is not impersonal. We should not think of the Church, but rather we should think of the Church as a woman, she is our mother and this is beautiful. You should think about this and strive to deepen your appreciation for it.
Out of this context arises the Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem. It offers a profound organic reflection with a solid anthropological foundation enlightened by Revelation. At this point, we must leave and return to the work of deepening and promoting the wishes that I have already voiced on several occasions. Even in the Church, it is important to ask: what place is there for woman. I suffer - I'm telling the truth - when I see in the Church or in some ecclesiastical organizations that the role of service - the role that has been entrusted to all of us, and which we should all embrace - that a woman's role of service slips into servitude. I don't know if you have this saying in Italian. Do you understand what I'm trying to say? When I see women who are subjected to blind servitude, and that they don't understand properly the role that should be theirs. What presence should women have in the Church? Is it possible that they can be greatly valued? This is a reality that is very close to my heart and this is why I wanted to meet you - it's really against the regulations because it's not normal that I should meet with this kind of group - to bless you and to encourage you in your work. Thank you. Let's work together on this project. May Holy Mary, that great lady, Mother of Jesus and of all the children of God, accompany us.
Thank you.
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