My Dear Friends,

Since I submit my bulletin letters on Tuesdays, there is a good chance as you are reading this that we have a new pope. There will be a lot of commentary about who this man is, what name he has chosen, and where he is on the spectrum of the Catholic Church, i.e. progressive, traditional or centrist.

The labels of conservative or liberal are political labels and should be avoided. Sadly, that we even have to use the terms progressive or traditional is itself labeling. Basically, the pope should be a man who is obedient to the teachings of the Catholic Church that have been handed down since the Apostles.

Depending on who the pope is, there will also be either a stronger emphasis or a lack of emphasis on certain issues. Many Catholics are going to want to know where he stands on the hot button moral issues and the role of women. Of more importance, though, is the financial crisis in the Vatican and the lack of intestinal fortitude by certain bishops and cardinals that have neglected their sheep concerning the issue of abuse of minors.

There will always be Catholics who dissent from the moral issues of the faith and, frankly, women already do everything in the Catholic Church. Women are the secretaries, directors of faith formation, religious education teachers, youth ministers, choir directors, bookkeepers, cantors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, parish life coordinators, finance council presidents, leaders of parish Bible studies, etc.

They have more power and influence in these roles than they would have as a deacon because a deacon needs to be subservient to the liturgy and the sacraments. Exercising diaconal ministry and preaching at Mass are reserved to men, but that does not mean that women are not allowed to preach at other prayer services.

I have had women in my parishes that led the Seven Last Words during Holy Week and Advent reflections during Advent. I have had women lead the XLT’s that we offer for our teens. Women have many gifts that have been utilized by pastors and bishops.

The Catholic Church is very clear on the role of women and women’s ordination as well as very clear on the moral teachings. Of course, if you shop around, you will find a priest or a bishop, or even a cardinal who may become pope, who is labelled progressive and will seek to either change the Catholic teaching or will encourage a Catholic to dissent from these teachings.

Let us remember, though, that the primary purpose of the bishop or the priest is to save souls, and we save souls by being obedient to the sacraments and offering the sacraments to his parish. Fidelity to Christ and his Bride the Church is an act of love on our part.

God bless and Happy Mother’s Day.

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