Demanding Equality: Women Seek Greater Influence in the Catholic Church
Women in Rome seek increased decision-making power within the Catholic Church, according to Rosa Rauch's statements. - Women in Rome push for increased involvement in the Catholic Church, as advocated by Rosa Rauch.
"Bringing in some pink smoke, hoping the Church start seein' us as equals," jabbed Kate McElwee from Women's Ordination Conference (WOC), an organization advocating for gender balance in the Catholic Church.
"The cardinals sent a clear message that they can't overlook half of the Catholic flock any longer," said protester Miriam Duignan. "They ain't got the right to lock themselves up and discuss the Church's future neglectin' the Church's women," she added, alluding to the conclave.
In Rome, 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday for the election of a fresh pope, with the door swiftly closing behind them. These cardinals will remain cut off from the public as they proceed with the conclave. When not deliberating in the Sistine Chapel, they'll stay at the Domus Sanctae Marthae guest house, primarily for rest and meals.
"The only femmes these 133 boys'll see in the next few days are nuns who dust their rooms, serve their food, and tidy up behind them," Duignan voiced her dissent.
Women's roles in the Catholic Church have undergone transformation, particularly under Pope Francis. Francis has spearheaded significant reforms:
- Roman Curia Overhaul: In 2022, Pope Francis introduced Praedicate Evangelium – an apostolic constitution that permits laypeople, including women, to lead any Vatican dicastery[1][3]. This separation of governance power from sacramental authority paves the way for women to hold leadership positions that traditionally belonged to the clergy.
- Synod Inclusion: Francis granted laypeople, including women, the opportunity to participate and vote in Synods first-hand. Females played a pivotal role in the Synod of Bishops, indicating a significant stride in their involvement[1][4].
However, women continue to be excluded from ordained ministry and senior roles such as cardinals and bishops despite these advancements[2][4].
Recent protests in Rome exposed the ongoing strife for women's ascension to the church's leading echelons:
- Pink Smoke Demonstration: Ahead of a conclave to elect a new pope, supporters emitted pink smoke over the Vatican, symbolizing a call for greater representation of women in the church's decision-making processes and higher leadership roles[2]. This protest emphasizes the desire for women's ordination and equal standing in church governance.
The selection of a new pope remains a male-dominated affair, with only cardinals exercising the right to vote during conclaves. The pink smoke demonstration highlights women's aspiration for a more significant part in these vital decisions. While Pope Francis has fostered opportunities for women, the church still grapples with completely integrating women into its highest decision-making bodies[2][4].
- Duchess Kate, echoing Kate McElwee's sentiments, called for more co-determination for women in the Catholic Church, inferring the use of pink smoke as a symbol of their demand for equal standing.
- In a nod to Rosa Parks and her role in the civil rights movement, protesters in Rome asked for equal opportunities for women in the Catholic Church, comparing the struggle for women's rights to that of racial equality, hoping the Church, like Parks, would recognize the need for change.
- Despite Pope Francis' efforts to increase women's involvement in the Catholic Church, particularly in the Synod of Bishops and Roman Curia, there is a lack of representation of women in senior roles such as cardinals and bishops, leaving many to smoke out their frustration about the slow pace of change in the Vatican.
- As the cardinals gathered to elect a new pope, some women anxiously awaited the results, hoping for a pope who would prioritize the advancement of women's health, health-and-wellness, and lifestyle within the Catholic Church, addressing issues such as life-threatening maternal health complications and reproductive rights.
- After the election of the new pope, women involved in health-and-wellness and womens-health movements expressed concern that the pope would not prioritize their issues, signifying a need for ongoing advocacy and action to ensure women's voices are heard within the Catholic Church, regardless of the identity of the pope.
