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The
dignity of women
45.
Particular attention needs to be given to the vocation of women. On other
occasions I have expressed my esteem for the specific contribution of women to
the progress of humanity and recognized the legitimacy of their aspiration to
take part fully in ecclesial, cultural, social and economic life. (167)
Without this contribution, we would miss the enrichment which only the
“feminine genius” (168) can bring to the life of the Church and to
society. To fail to recognize this would be an historic injustice, especially
in America, if we consider the contribution which women have made to the
material and cultural development of the continent, just as they have in
handing down and preserving the faith. Indeed, “their role was decisive, above
all in consecrated life, in education and in health care”. (169)
Unfortunately,
in many parts of America women still meet forms of discrimination. It can be
said that the face of the poor in America is also the face of many women. That
is why the Synod Fathers spoke of a “feminine side of poverty”. (170)
The Church feels the duty to defend the human dignity which belongs to every
person, and “denounces discrimination, sexual abuse and male domination as
actions contrary to God's plan”. (171) In particular, the Church
deplores the appalling practice, sometimes part of a larger plan, of the
sterilization of women, especially the poorest and most marginalized, often
carried out surreptitiously, without the women themselves realizing it. This is
all the more serious when it is done in order to obtain economic aid at the
international level.
The
Church throughout America feels committed to show greater concern for women and
to defend them “so that society in America can better support family life based
on marriage, better protect motherhood and show greater respect for the dignity
of all women”. (172) There is a need to help women in America to take an
active and responsible role in the Church's life and mission, (173) and
also to acknowledge the need for the wisdom and cooperation of women in
leadership roles within American society.
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