Approximately 100 women from around the world gathered in Rome from
Oct. 10-12 to discuss the “feminine genius” described by Bl. Pope John
Paul II 25 years ago.
The study seminar was hosted by the women’s section of the Pontifical
Council for the Laity and focused on the theme, “God entrusts the human
being to the woman.”
Experts in various disciplines ranging from medicine and law to academia
and art arrived from 24 different countries to reflect on John Paul
II’s writings on women, particularly his Apostolic Letter “On the
Dignity and Vocation of Women.”
There were delegates from 29 different international organizations,
including U.S. groups such as Women Speak for Themselves, Catholic
Voices, and Priests for Life.
Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the
Laity, celebrated the opening Mass of the seminar, saying, “It is in
this context of serious anthropological crisis, where humankind wants to
‘go it alone’ and the criteria of humanity have become uncertain and
extremely confusing and fluid, that we Christians are called to defend
the nature and dignity of the human person, women and men.”
“As Christians in today’s world, we are called in a special way to
safeguard humanity. By means of this seminar that starts today, we wish
to assume this responsibility,” he continued. “In other words, we wish
to safeguard what it is to be a human being, to be human beings who are
God’s creatures, women and men.”
Helen Alvare, professor of law at George Mason University and founder of
Women Speak for Themselves, spoke on how ideas about women have
developed since the publication of “On the Dignity and Vocation of
Women” in 1988, and how the Church might respond to those changes.
“We have had a more or less ‘natural experiment’ over the last several
decades, allowing us to observe what happens when a substantial number
of women can choose how they wish to spend their lives,” she explained.
The “preliminary results” show that “women still wish for the most part
to marry and to have children” and that “women are happy to exercise
their talents outside the home as well as in it.” Moreover, “when they
are mothers, most women prefer to work part-time, or in cycles
responsive to their children’s needs.”
“Furthermore,” Alvare went on, “modern empirical data is confirming the
beneficial effects, not only of attending to the importance of stable
relationships in personal lives, but of participating in labor imbued
with meaning as human service.”
Women “are still voting with their feet disproportionately to work in
the classic ‘caring-professions’ – teacher, nurse, social worker, etc. –
and are now adding to that list, lawyers, doctors and politicians.”
What might this mean for the Church?
“Women seem naturally suited to communicate Pope Francis’ stunning calls
to re-energize the Church’s mission to serve the dispossessed of this
world,” she proposed.
“Women’s natural gifts…as well as their centuries of experience of work
directly with the marginalized…make them natural leaders and
communicators in all of these areas,” concluded Alvare.
Her words were immediately verified by women from around the globe, who
began a lively discussion of how to better serve those individuals and
families of the world who struggle with situations such as poverty or
abuse.
Priscilla Kuye, the first and only female president of the Nigerian Bar
Association, noted the need to encourage families to give girls, as well
as boys, an education – a practice that is not often embraced in the
more rural parts of her home country.
Jocelyne Khoueiry, co-founder of the Catholic feminine movement “La
Libanaise-Femme du 31 Mai” spoke of her involvement in the John Paul II
Center of Social and Cultural Services in Jounieh, Lebanon.
The Center
was begun not only to help alleviate poverty but to address the
“psycho-social” needs of individuals, couples, and families wounded by
many years of war and political unrest.
Many others joined the conversation with questions or contributions about their own experiences.
The seminar featured many different presentations and panel discussions
on topics such as “What is the outcome of the sexual revolution 40 years
on?” and “Legal protection of life and family.”
The three-day seminar
concluded with a meeting with Pope Francis on Saturday.
Seminar papers will be posted on the Council’s website, www.laici.va.