Roles of Catholic Women in Society Past and Present - Literature review Example

Roles of Catholic Women in Society Past and Present Affiliation Roles of Catholic Women in Society Past and Present Since the realization of the Catholic faith, women have always been required to perform significant tasks in the church and society. The role of the women in the church has been derived from the biblical role of women mostly in the New Testament (Amidon, 2010). As expected, women have a less authoritative role in the society than men. In addition, women are placed in position in which they provide help or service to men in more authoritative positions in the church in the society. The perception was more embraced in the past society and church with women being viewed as a subordinate population. However, the modern day women in Catholic Church are being provided with more authoritative tasks as both servants in the church and in the society (Amidon, 2010). Women are viewed more as equals to men in the church. The same perception is embraced in the society where women have more leadership roles. What are the differences in the role of Catholic women in the society today and the past? Ordination of Women The role of ordination in the Catholic Church is an important event in that it creates a person with a closer relationship to the church and with Christ. Over the years, the ordination of men has been embraced as an act signified by Jesus in the selection of 12 apostles (Gary, 2007). However, the ordination of women in the past church was never allowed. This placed women in the society as only servants of the church. Leaders in society in the Catholic faith must be ordained to hold such a position. This role of women was, however, criticized since women were willing to increase their services to the church and the society. For this reason, women began to be ordained by the church to serve in the society (Allen, 2009). In an argument by Gary (2007) the modern day society view of women leadership in the Catholic Church is less prejudiced. The ordination of women has placed the gender in leadership roles in the community. For instance, the Catholic Church serves the community with the creation of schools and medical institutions. In most of these institutions, leadership positions are preserved for the women. Women in these positions have been ordained by the church. Hanson (2014) points out that the ordination of women in the church today has also increased their number in the ministry role. The author further asserts that across the United States there are over 30,000 lay leaders in which almost 85% of them are women (Hanson, 2014). This role in the society increases their abilities to minister in the society. This role was not accepted in the past Catholic Church. With these changes, women in the church continue to push for the ordination to deacon hood a process opposed due to the fact the ultimate role of priesthood in the church is strictly reserved for men. Women as Educationalists In an argument by Henderson (2004) the role of educationalist in women in the Catholic Church has remained constant over the years. The Catholic faith has produced the world’s first women professors like Trotula of Salerno in the 11th Century (Henderson, 2004). This role has been perceived as one of the greatest roles of women in the society. In the past, women educationalists often offered their lifetime and expertise to serve the society. Numerous of these women never seek for compensation for their services in the community. Additionally, the Catholic Church funded the education of women who wanted to serve the community or ordained as service providers to the church. The same role of women in the modern society can be seen. Catholic women in the ministry are educated enough to be placed in more important roles in the community. The church boasts of women professors who are placed as heads of educational or medical institutions. This role has improved the perception of the society of Catholic women. Gary (2007) is of the assumption that the difference in this role in the modern and past women in the church is that, presently women are offered more authoritative positions. For instance, women educated in the past church were allowed to function under a leader who was a man. Today, women may be given total authority of the institutions they head. This depicts the improved role of Catholic women in the society. Women as Caregivers Similar to the educationalists, the role of caregivers has been practiced by women since their realization of the faith. Henderson (2004) points out that the main objective women joining the Catholic ministry is providing care to the less fortunate. The author further asserts that most pioneer women in the Catholic Church devoted their lives as caregivers (Henderson, 2004). Over the years, this role has remained constant as institutions for women caregivers across the world have been developed. This has influenced the growth of the service to the community. One of the most significant figures in the role is Mother Teresa. The minister founded the missionaries of charity in Calcutta (Dossier, 2008). Since 1948, the poor slum of Calcutta has benefited from the slums. Until her death in 1997, Mother Teresa’s organization has founded 450 institutions across the globe reaching out to over 100 countries (Dossier, 2008). The same role of women in the Catholic faith can be witnessed in the modern society. Across the globe, there numerous Catholic medical and educational institutions established for the purpose of allowing women to serve the society. Educational institutions for the training of women are also part of improving this role of women (Hanson, 2014). However, the modern day Catholic women rarely devote themselves to the church as service providers. Medical institutions in the church have been required to recruit non-Catholics due to the shortage (Hanson, 2014). The Role of Religious Vocations Since the realization of the church, the division of roles has been existent. Men usually serve as priests, deacons, monks or brothers. Women serve as religious sisters, nuns or abbesses. From this role, women are placed as teachers, caregivers and missionaries in the society. However, the main role of women as nuns in the church was to provide services in the church such helping out fathers and organization missionary events in surrounding communities. The role of women as nuns is the oldest role of women in the Catholic Church. In the responsibility, women are required to be consecrated in institutions in which they are provided with teaching affiliated to the role of women in the Catholic faith. This role of women is also present in the modern society. Most women servants of Christ in the Catholic Church lay the role of nuns and Catholic sisters. Different from the past, nuns may now serve as altar girls (Hanson, 2014). However, their roles are mostly placements as educationalists or caregivers. The number of nuns globally has, however, decreased significantly. From the arguments presented, one may point out that the role of the Catholic women in the society has changed significantly. Changes are majorly based on the increased responsibility of women in the society. In addition, the responsibilities are more authoritative and influential in medical and educational institutions. The modern day woman in the church also plays the role of alter gals and ministry preachers. Regardless of the changes, numerous roles have remained similar over the years. The role of women as caregivers and educationalists has been constant in the Catholic Church. Conclusively, Catholic women role in the society has changed significantly but at the same time retained the most important role of women in the church. References Allen, L. (2009). The Future Church: How Ten Trends are Revolutionizing the Catholic Church. New York: Doubleday Amidon. M. (2010). Womens Roles in Religion. Minnesota: ABDO. Dossier, F. (2008). The Role of the Woman in the Life of the Church. Rome: Fides News Service. Gary, M. (2007). The Hidden History of Womens Ordination: Female Clergy in the Medieval West. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hanson, E. (2014). The Catholic Church in World Politics. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Henderson, R. (2004). Tradition and Status of Women in the Catholic Church. Australian EJournal of Theology, 2, 1-9. Read More