By: Nancy Escalante

In May 31, 2004 the Church, through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published a document on the collaboration of men and women in the Church and in the world. From the biblical, anthropological and theological perspective it outlines the true vision of the dignity of women and their role before feminism, i.e., it emerges as a response to the contemporary thinking trends such as the radical rivalry between genders. According to this ideology women’s role and identity are considered a disadvantage vis-à-vis men, therefore women as not to live in subordination, have to become adversaries of men, forgetting they are complements of each other, which was the purpose of their creation.

Another trend is the one that minimizes the body differences and considers sex only as an answer to the cultural dimension, what they call Gender. This has resulted into questioning the traditional family made up of father, mother and children, and has also given place to ways of thinking that homosexuality and heterosexuality are virtually equivalent, causing proposals of a polymorphous sexuality and other aberrations against human nature.

This document has been misinterpreted by attitudes against it and in several instances its content has been distorted to manipulate information. Thus, all the members of the Catholic Church must defend what is for the benefit of the comprehensive dignity of human beings and God’s plan.

It is a fact that there are various currents of thought that, in spite of looking for the individuals’ truth and happiness, are far from that because they have lost sight of the real sense and ultimate goal the person, couple and family are called to. In this regard, I think we have lost sight of the fundamental values that lead to transcendence.

The letter takes back concrete and fundamental points which asides from being based on Biblical texts and being studied in the light of theology, they are based on anthropological questions that can lead a person (with intellectual honesty) to truly understand the reasons presented. This brief document clearly and carefully covers aspects of human beings and current ideologies that have tried to ignore transcendental aspects such as radical feminism which in search for equality and dignity, have moved away from the truth of the person, couple or family, having a serious impact on the value system and development of mankind. In principle, the letter defends equality and dignity of human beings, but it also highlights the difference between men ad women, which leads to complementarity, as men and women were created so that together they can accomplish unity, for the mutual giving and donation, resulting in the fullness of the human being.

New ideologies around gender are focused in the individual’s selfishness. They lose objective values, thus resulting in a big existential vacuum of society and, in the search for temporary happiness, they have only found frustration, feelings of loneliness and have lost the sense for life. The person, couple and family by being part of the church have a responsibility with mankind. That is why men and women are invited to actively collaborate in its healthy development. This is only possible if both members of the couple assume their capabilities with responsibility so that, through complementarity, their encounter and integration can yield fruits for society. The church recognizes and invites the society to acknowledge the differences between men and women, but by valuing these differences and understanding why unity between them is necessary.

In the church, the role of women is particularly central and fruitful-. From the beginning, the Church has considered herself as a community bound to Christ by a relationship of love. In that sense, the Church, Bride of Christ, has always seen in Mary her mother and model™. (Mons. Amato, 2004)

The reference to Mary, with her disposition to listening, to acceptance, to humility, to fidelity, to praise and to expectation™ (Mons. Amato, 2004)

Bibliography

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the world. May 31, 2004.

Printer friendly page