Letters

Women's Commission (1) (letter)

Sr Breda O'Reilly

Contents - Dec 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Christmas 2002: the state of the Church - Peter Westmore New Vatican Instruction on priesthood: the challenge to be another Christ - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Education: Most teachers reject Church teaching: ACU professor - Michael Gilchrist Books: Biography of Archbishop Pell launched in Melbourne: author interviewed Thomas Groome: his influence on religious education continues - Eamonn Keane Brisbane Synod 2003: a leadership challenge - Peter D. Howard 'New' ecumenism fights secular culture: Protestant theologian Archbishop Chaput: what makes a good leader? - Archbishop Charles J. Chaput The sound of thunder and laughter: Hilaire Belloc re-considered -  A.G. Evans Letters: The Pell case (letter) - Alan A. Hoysted Letters: Clergy support (letter) - Peter R. McNamara Letters: Anti-Catholicism (letter) - Glenn Talaue Letters: Women's Commission (1) (letter) - Sr Breda O'Reilly Letters: Women's Commission (2) (letter) - Dr Myles M. Kehoe Letters: Bishops' initiative (letter) - Therese Vassarotti Letters: Bishop Power (letter) - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: St Maria Goretti (letter) - Anne Buchan Letters: 'Misandry' (letter) - Name and address supplied Letters: Forgiveness (letter) - John Schmid Letters: Visionary (letter) - Tom King Letters: Newman (letter) - Rev Julius C. Stonehouse Letters: Apologetics (letter) - Geoff Storey Poetry: The New Year - D.C. Craig Books: Bio-Engagement: Making a Christian Difference through Bioethics Today - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: Eucharistic Devotion : renewing a timeless tradition / Heart of St Alphonsus - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Barb of Fire: Twenty Poems of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Beyond the Blue Glass: Catholic Essays on Faith and Culture, Aidan Nichols OP - Tracey Rowland (reviewer) Books: Top Ten AD2000 Books for 2002 Books: Ideal Christmas Gifts from AD Books Reflection: John Paul II on Christmas: 'the mystery of humanity redeemed by Christ' - Pope John Paul II

I am writing in reply to the article by Michael Gilchrist, "Commission for Australian Catholic Women justifies its existence" (October AD2000).

It was with great sadness and some anger that I read the article. From what I read, Mr Gilchrist had obviously doomed the Commission before it even got off the ground (par 3).

For his information, I have been elected by the Bishop, priests and pastoral associates to represent Catholic women in the Diocese of Broome. It is not an easy assignment. Most women would not want it because they feel they would not be supported by the hierarchical Church.

While Mr Gilchrist's article more or less condemns the role of the Commission, I have experienced great support from the Bishop, priests and pastoral associates in this Diocese.

We have also had fantastic gatherings, the majority of the women at these being Indigenous women who are not, in the article's words, a "vocal, influential elite of feminists, bureaucrats and professionals". In fact, they were totally the opposite - women who had supported the Church all their lives in this difficult area of Australia.

What the US Bishops did in 1983-1992 is irrelevant to what the Australian Bishops' Conference has set out to do for women in the Church in Australia.

I can understand in some ways that Mr Gilchrist would have difficulty with the Recommendations because they are written from a female viewpoint. Thank God, however, there are many male supporters around Australia who are happy that at last this important issue of women in the Church is really being addressed.

Mind you, I don't expect any miracles, but I'm impressed that the Australian Bishops have at least given the issue serious consideration and backed it up with financial resources.

Personally I am amazed at the amount of work done for the Church by these intelligent, professional women. Speaking to the women themselves and studying their website gives a clear indication of that. If Mr Gilchrist had read "Voices of Women" by Denise Desmarchelier, I'm sure he would change his mind about his statement that "most church-going Catholics already knew that there was no significant participation problem needing to be addressed."

I just find it unbelievable that someone could write this, for it goes totally against my experience of being a woman in the Church and supporting it faithfully over the past 40 years!

SR BREDA O'REILLY
Cable Beach, WA

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 11 (December 2002 - January 2003), p. 13