Powerful Vatican document counters feminist ideolo

[Seeker]

The entire story can be found at Catholic World News.

The entire letter by Pope John Paul II regarding teh Church;s position on "feminism" in the world can be found at the Vatican Information Service Web Site.

Here's an excerpt from the Catholic World News article:

Prior to the document's appearance, secular news accounts had speculated that the Vatican would offer a new explanation of the Church's teaching that only men may be ordained to the priesthood. But that topic is mentioned only once in the new document: in a single sentence near the conclusion.

The longest and most important part of the document is a profound meditation on the Bible's approach to the question of human sexuality. Following the analysis that Pope John Paul II has presented-- for instance, in Mulieris Dignitatem -- the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith argues that in society and in the Church, man and woman play distinct roles, equal in dignity, complementing each other.

The "Letter to the Bishops" explains that today's society urgently needs to recapture a proper understanding of these respective roles, in order to avoid the dangers of an ideological approach that denigrates women and threatens the family.

Personal opinion:  Destroying the family is Satan's way of gaining more souls.  If the church is the pillar and bulwark of the truth (1 Tim 3:15), then families are the pillar and bulwark of the church and thus, for doing God's will in faith and love.  Satan knows what he's doing.  He's a master tactician.

[Melody]

Wow! Thx Seeker, for drawing our attention to this document. I was once told that the church documents were the real 'meat' that St. Paul refers to when he distinguishes his 'milk' teachings from his 'meat' teachings.

What I really like about this document was the approach to marriage:

This nuptial imagery of the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament, as Christ become the bridegroom, and his Church-- including both men and women-- plays the role of the bride. Unlike any fallen human husband, Jesus offers his entire life in a perfect sacrifice for his spouse.

Through the power of his Sacrifice, Jesus also gives a profound new meaning to Christian marriage.

The love of a man and a woman, lived out in the power of baptismal life, now becomes the sacrament of the love between Christ and his Church, and a witness to the mystery of fidelity and unity from which the “New Eve” is born and by which she lives in her earthly pilgrimage toward the fullness of the eternal wedding.(10)
Strengthened by grace, and guided by this understanding of their marital vocation, Christian spouses now strive to model their relationship on the love of perfect Christ for his Church. "The power of the resurrection makes possible the victory of faithfulness over weakness, over injuries and over the couple's sins." (11)

As a woman, I obviously found so many other parts that I really liked as well. It just seems so wise

Will definetely be reading it all in lenght again!

Blessings,

Melody