Quotations from Church Teaching about Women in the Church

"...every kind of social or cultural discrimination in basic personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion, must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design. It is deeply to be deplored that these basic personal rights are not yet being respected everywhere, as is the case with women who are denied the chance freely to choose a husband, or a state of life, or to have access to the same educational and cultural benefits as are available to men."(Gaudium et Spes, no.29)

" We can say with certainty that discrimination against women contradicts the will of Christ. We are painfully aware that sexism, defined as "unjust discrimination based on sex,"is still present in some members of the Church. We reject sexism and pledge renewed efforts to guard against it in church teaching and practice. (Strengthening the Bonds of Peace, U.S. Bishops, 1994)

" I make an appeal to the women of the church today to assume new forms of leadership in service and I appeal to all the institutions of the church to welcome this contribution of women." (John Paul II, Appeal to the Church on Women's Behalf, 1995)

" While the Church is bound to give witness to justice, she recognizes that everyone who ventures to speak to people about justice must first be just in their eyes. Hence we must undertake an examination of the modes of acting and of the possessions and lifestyle found within the Church herself. ("Concerning Justice in the World,"1971 Synod of Bishops.)

" From her own experience the Church knows that her ministry of fostering human rights in the world requires continued scrutiny and purification of her own life, her laws, institutions and policies ...In the Church, as in other institutions and groups, purification is needed in internal practices and procedures."(Paul VI and the 1994 Synod of Bishops, "Dirritti dell¾uomo e riconciliazione, L'Osservatore Romano, October 26, 1974 ,p.5)

" The participation of women is more than an issue of justice. To the extent that we are open to women's gifts, acknowledgment of our deep need for their strengths must follow --strengths that provide essential balance to those of men"(Bishop Gerald Wiesner, OMI, Prince George B.C. Speech to 1997 Synod on the Americas).

"...it is necessary that the Church recognize all the gifts of men and women for her life and mission, and put them into practice (John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, no.49).

"...Unfortunately even today there are situations in which women live, de facto if not legally, in a condition of inferiority. It is urgently necessary to cultivate everywhere a culture of equality, which will be lasting and constructive to the extent that it reflects God's plan ... Equality between man and woman is a fact asserted from the first page of the Bible in the stupendous narrative of creation." (John Paul II, June 25, 1995)

" As far as personal rights are concerned, there is an urgent need to achieve real equality (sic) in every area: equal pay for equal work, protection for working mothers, fairness in career advancements, equality of spouses with regard to family rights, and the recognition of everything that is part of the rights and duties of citizens in a democratic state.¾ (John Paul II, Letter to Women, July 10, 1995)

" Lay persons have a right to a decent remuneration suited to their condition; by such remuneration they should be able to provide decently for their own needs and for those of their family with due regard for the prescriptions of civil law; they likewise have a right that their pension, social security and health benefits be duly provided."(Canon 231.2)

" We welcome, too, women's leadership in more traditional areas, e.g. in advocacy for church and societal policies that support just remuneration for women..."(Strengthening the Bonds of Peace, U.S. Bishops, 1994)

" We need to look at alternative ways in which women can exercise leadership in the church. We welcome this leadership, which in some ways is already a reality, and we commit ourselves to enhancing the participation of women in every possible aspect of church life."(Strengthening the Bonds of Peace, U.S. Bishops, 1994)

" But I am convinced that the secret of making speedy progress in achieving full respect for women and their identity involves more than simply the condemnation of discrimination and injustices, necessary though this may be. Such respect must first and foremost be won through an effective and intelligent campaign for the promotion of women, concentrating on all areas of women's life and beginning with a universal recognition of the dignity of women.¾ ( John Paul II, Letter to Women 1995)

" Unfortunately, we are heirs to a history which which has conditioned us to a remarkable extent. In every time and place, this conditioning has been an obstacle to the progress of women. Women's dignity has often been unacknowledged and their prerogatives misrepresented; they have often been relegated to the margins of society and even reduced to servitude. ....And if objective blame, especially in particular historical consequences has belonged to not just a few members of the Church, for this I am truly sorry." (John Paul II, Letter to Women, July 10, 1995)

" It is therefore urgently necessary to take certain concrete steps, beginning with providing room for women to participate in different fields and at all levels, including decision-making processes, above all in matters which concern women themselves."(John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation on Consecrated Life, 58, 1996)

" The revised code of canon law contains many provisions on the participation of women in the life and mission of the church. They are provisions that must be more commonly known and, according to the diverse sensibilities of culture and opportunities in a pastoral situation, be realized with greater timeliness and determination.¾(Apostolic Exhortation on the Laity, 51, John Paul II, 1988.)

" Women have a full right to become actively involved in all areas of public life, and this right must be affirmed and guaranteed, also, where, necessary, through appropriate legislation" (John Paul II, 1995 World Day of Peace Message, no. 9 John Paul II),