The Church’s Steadfast Stance on Women: A Countercultural Perspective

The selection of the next Pope, an event marked by tradition and unwavering principles, will undoubtedly spark debate in a world grappling with shifting definitions of gender and identity. The certainty that the next pontiff will be biologically male, chosen by an all-male College of Cardinals, to lead an institution that maintains an all-male priesthood, will likely be perceived by some as outdated and even discriminatory. This perspective, however, fails to grasp the deeper understanding of women within the Catholic Church, a perspective that is, and has always been, radically countercultural.

Our contemporary Western society often struggles to define "woman" in even the most basic biological terms. Yet, the Church has consistently refined its teachings on women, emphasizing their role as a complement to men while affirming their full equality since its inception. This Christian approach to women has been a departure from prevailing cultural norms throughout history.

The Gospels themselves provide ample evidence of Christ’s revolutionary treatment of women. The longest recorded conversation of Jesus is with a woman of ill repute. He entrusted a woman with the pivotal task of announcing his resurrection to the disciples, a message of salvation for all. Most profoundly, he chose a woman, Mary, to be the vessel of his divine incarnation, later elevating her to the status of Queen of Heaven and Earth. This occurred within a societal context where women were largely marginalized, lacking rights and often considered inferior.

More than two millennia later, the Church’s teachings on women remain remarkably countercultural. In a post-Christian society where women are often commodified, objectified, and exploited through various means, the Church stands firm in its opposition. It critiques the harms inflicted through promiscuity and prostitution, sex trafficking, artificial reproductive technology and toxic reproductive pharmaceuticals, abortion, and surrogacy.

Furthermore, the Church staunchly opposes gender ideology, recognizing its potential to erase the very category of "woman," with detrimental consequences for fundamental human rights and legal standing. Despite this consistent defense of women, the Church faces accusations of sexism solely because it does not ordain women as priests.

Many Catholic women, across diverse backgrounds and experiences, do not share the frustration over the all-male priesthood. These women value the priests in their lives and do not aspire to be them. Instead, they grapple with the common struggles of womanhood – infertility, marital difficulties, addiction, and the pursuit of happy families – finding solace and community within the Church.

For Catholic women, faith is not about power or dominance. Rather, it is about love, self-sacrifice, and friendship – the core values that characterized Christ’s ministry and define an authentically Christian life. Embracing Christianity means relinquishing the distorted pursuit of power and influence, instead dedicating oneself to serving others. This mission resonates deeply with women and is often expressed through their "feminine genius," a concept championed by Pope Saint John Paul II.

Saint John Paul II recognized the unique insight that women bring to the world, enriching understanding and fostering more honest and authentic human relationships. This perspective explains why many Catholic women resist surrendering their rights and dignity to a culture that cannot even define "woman," while simultaneously celebrating figures who achieve wealth by setting sexual records and falsely associates this behavior with "women’s empowerment."

Instead, these women hold fast to a faith that, for centuries, has promoted the distinct but equal roles of men and women in the pursuit of Christian virtue. These complementary roles reflect God’s design for human cooperation with the divine. Understanding these differences, rather than attempting to erase them, is crucial to truly elevating the role of women in the Church and in the world.

The task of defending this unique Christian principle now falls to the next successor of St. Peter. Catholic women throughout the world will look to him to courageously uphold this vital mission. They will expect him to reaffirm the Church’s unwavering commitment to the dignity and value of women, not in spite of their differences from men, but precisely because of them.

The challenge for the next Pope will be to articulate the Church’s vision of womanhood in a way that resonates with a world increasingly divided on issues of gender and identity. He must find a way to communicate the beauty and power of the Church’s teachings on women, highlighting their role as essential partners in the mission of salvation. This requires a nuanced approach, one that acknowledges the struggles and challenges faced by women in the modern world while simultaneously offering a compelling alternative to the prevailing cultural narratives.

The Church’s stance on women is not about exclusion or oppression, but about celebrating the unique gifts and talents that women bring to the world. It is about recognizing their inherent dignity and worth, not as a matter of political correctness, but as a fundamental truth rooted in the very nature of creation. The next Pope has a critical opportunity to reaffirm this truth and to inspire women around the world to embrace their vocation as daughters of God. He must demonstrate to the world that the Church’s teachings on women are not antiquated relics of the past, but timeless principles that can guide humanity towards a more just and compassionate future. The choice he makes will influence generations.