Bishop Barron on Women in the Church

America magazine recently published a fascinating survey regarding the attitudes of women in the Church. They were kind enough to publish a few of my reactions to the study, but I would like, in this video, to offer a fuller response to their findings.

[rae-michellel]

I just came to the Catholic Church last year as a divorced/single 38 year old woman and former “none”. Based on my experiences in life, there are no other teachings/beliefs that care about women more than the Catholic faith. It is all about dignity, integrity and respect for the human person.

I admit that some parishioners don’t know what to make of a single woman my age, but I look right past them to the tabernacle and I know I am always right where I should be. I’ve never felt anything but pure, unconditional love from our priests.

I think too many folks get tied up on titles and positions when they speak of women having a voice, etc. The faith is a different realm of thinking. It is not about climbing the ladder to a top position. In fact, the goal is to become small and put all of the attention on Jesus always. “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). Most priests and even the pope would probably rather be in adoration than making those decisions.

Plus, we have countless female role models! From the past we have Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Clare of Assisi and Saint Therese of Lisieux. In more recent history, Saint Teresa of Calcutta and Mother Angelica. Right now we have Mother Dolores Hart, Sister Raffaella Cavallin and Mother Miriam. And those are just to name a few!!!

There is no better place for a woman than in the Catholic Church! ❤️🙏❤️

[viviennedunbar]

I am a not a dominant personality but a good team player and a happy Catholic. I went to speak to my Parish Priest about doing something to serve the parish and how I have always been drawn to evangelize. He went on to to tell me I should probably just quietly pray and then told me he can “never find any volunteers” when I was literally sitting in front of him offering myself as a volunteer! I guess it’s because I am a 54 yr old woman, if I was still young I bet he would immediately sign me up for something. I am a loyal Catholic but there is serious blindness in the Church for women and our gifts. I am a convert with a tough background who survived a lot and is now very happily married with young adult children, I think I have a lot of life experience and resilience but I guess he just sees me as not the “type’ he’s looking for. Shortly after someone invited me to join the Lay (or Third Order) Dominicans and I have applied for Postulancy. Their charisms are preaching, community, prayer and study so most are active in evangelization. I am not giving up on trying to respond to God’s call even if my parish priest doesn’t value my contribution. Sometimes priests are blind to what laity have to offer. God used him I am sure to tell me that door is closed and the Dominicans instead were very enthusiastic about welcoming me, no wonder Dominican vocations are exploding.

[SeanLawlorNelson]

Nice to hear from you this Sunday, Bishop Barron. Blessings on your head.

[roboboro]

I'm in Mexico and here women are more traditional (thank God). We're still a LOT of women very very active in the church (we're the majority). I'm very proud of my Mexico.

[loveyourself]

I am a woman and Happy with the way things are. Women not being able to become priest doesn't make us any less important. Jesus appointed 12 men disciples but he has honored women in many other ways, by allowing women even the lowliness of them to be around him and be his closest friends, by making them the first to see him resurrected and most importantly his mother. He made her the face of his Church as soon as she went up to heaven. Jesus had protected us women by abolishing stoning and encouraging men to love us correctly and not divorce us as they please, and respect us enough to not even think of another women outside of us. I am happy with the way things are . The same way men will never be able to bare children, certain things are made and best the way they are. Trouble starts when we start wanting more than we can bear. I agree with feminism but to an extent. I am certain that a certain Level of feminism as far as to want it even in church, a very well functioning church, is a work of the devil to break the church and make women leave knowing how essential they are in passing down the faith.

[blancab]

If as a woman you’re only looking at the church for what kind of position you can have. Actually man or woman, if your sole intent of being involved in the church is for what position you can hold, then you have missed the whole point.

[Powerranger-leup]

Being a millennial, I have grown up supporting equality for women since I was raised in the Catholic faith. I still am Catholic and understand why it’s best that only men should be priests or cardinals. It’s the way Jesus intended it and the church is not a place where you can climb a corporate ladder. If you want a position of power, you won’t find it in the church. Being a nun, priest, Bishop, and even the pope requires humbleness, and a complete dedication to Christ and his church. Being a part of the Catholic Church is not about popularity, it is about serving God and others.

[OneCatholicSpeaks]

Bishop Barron mentioned something which I wholeheartedly agree with. Name any segment of society within the church, be it the divorced, adopted children, etc. that need a voice, the set up an organization. I would even suggest that groups across parishes network together. Read Scripture and coordinate with the Priests and Bishops.

This is another example of <<there IS room for you in the Church.>> Organize, pray, and support.

A suggestion to Bishop Barron would be to, bring this to the College of Bishops suggesting that a plan of action be developed. If the Bishops went through this point by point and determined a course of action, the Church could improve.

[onolly]

Reading the comments on this video is extremely telling why women are leaving the Catholic church. Reading comments stating that women are "not humble enough to appreciate that they are not naturally suited to assume leadership roles in the Church's apostolic hierarchy" is a comment that saddening and disturbing. Is it any wonder that a group of people deemed to be "not humble enough" or "power hungry" (in reference to an earlier video by Bishop Barron), is leaving? Before blaming the people leaving the church, take a look at what you are preaching.

I must applaud the Catholic church for holding so tight to the society of a bygone era, it's like a living history book.

[paulharvey]

Happy Easter Bishop Robert Barron May the Lord bless you and prosper you, amen

[LauraBeeDannon]

Wow. Those numbers seem strange to me. At my parish its mostly women in the pews, working the ministries and raising the kids in the faith. If all the women decided to just sit in the pews instead of running everything I think the church would fall apart.

[Mallory-Malkovich]

It sounds like you’re saying that because women do most of the work in a Parrish they should accept that they have no role in the actual leadership, because their role is still “substantial.” Would you accept doing most of the work for something but getting no role in leading it?

[oracleofaltoona]

I think one reason why many women stay away from the Mass is because of the priests performing the Mass; the fact that they are all male. Personally I think that is a shallow reason to stay away, but it does make the whole thing seem pretty male, and off putting, quite frankly. Personally, I really don't care if it is a man or woman up there as long as the Mass happens. It is a ceremony, though, and does communicate that we are a "male" organization (which isn't totally true I know.) Also, the stat about there being a lack of sexism experienced just must be wrong. As a woman I can tell you that I have been treated dismissively within the church structure. I have experienced sexism in the secular world as well. I don't focus on it. It is not a big deal to me. If someone has a problem with women, that's their problem. But please do not say it is absent within the structure of the church. Again, I really don't care, my life isn't about status or being recognized or anything like that—but it is there, and quite pronounced.

[debrawehrly]

What is your opinion of Cardinal Raymond Burke and his assertion that the presence of women in the alter is the cause of the decline in church vocations? When I hear things like this, it makes me want to turn away from religion. He was not the only one to express such opinions.

[yfa]

Paul wrote how Timothy learned by his mom and grand-mom. We have Doctors of The Church who are women like Catherine of Sienna, Teresa The Little Flower, and others.
Mother Angelica was more 'savvy' than a simple review of her would entail. And she influenced the Church.
And yes, by all means, I do see Nuns in Pastoral Care, Lay women, teachers and others who do communicate and influence at the Parish level.

[dawnlapka]

As a divorced concecratated lay woman, I can say it's pretty hard to walk into my Bishop's office and fill out an application, as it goes, so these statistics seem pretty silly sounding, to me 🤗. Grateful 🙏 for Word on Fire, and the Mass, and Hope, Bishop Barron!

[Luke-ckee]

Bishop Robert Barron always gives me the low down on everything Catholic. Cheers Fr.

[stevegryka]

You are soooo awesome! Thank you. We will not accomplish the past again. It’s too radical today. It sucks!

[jeremiahbok]

People usually do this when inequality in the church comes up. Instead of addressing where the inequality is (official, hierarchal positions such as holy orders) they say, "Well, women fill most ecclesiastical positions." That's another subject from the imbalance of authority in official positions. Women may work out the liturgy and run the bakesale at your local parish, but this is quite another thing from a woman bishop. This is an overall good video, but going this tired route disappointed was disappointing.

[RomanusVII]

No good Christian would display sexism. The Church needs our prayers.