God liberates woman He created

The month of March is dedicated to women, in recognition of their invaluable contribution to the liberation of society, in order to render them the needed support. As God’s vessel of salvation, the Church has been spearheading the liberation of women and recognises their role in salvation history.

Philosopher Confucius (551-479 BCE) says: “Where the woman is faithful, no evil can befall. The woman is the root and the man is the tree. The tree grows only as high as the root is strong.” He implies that men cannot be men without the strength of a woman. 

Long before Confucius, the Bible teaches that God made man and woman of equal dignity; to be helpmates. But sin dismantled this order. Only God can restore it. Differing efforts usually prove counter-productive. The attitude that woman can be everything a man is, is physiologically and biologically impossible. Immodesty objectifies the female body for exploitation.

Jesus starts women’s liberation movement

Jesus is credited for starting the real women’s liberation movement, with Mary. As the Mother of Christ, Mary is the new Eve, just as Christ is the new Adam. As Eve was the cause of sin by her disobedience, Mary is the cause of salvation by her obedience, in cooperating with Christ in His mission. Without the liberation of Mary’s “Yes!” (without the woman) the Gospel of salvation falls apart. During His ministry, Jesus was very much aware of the concerns of women.

He cared about them. He learned from them. He recognised in their needs, and their suggestions, promptings by the Spirit. He consented to His mother’s prompting for the Cana miracle of turning water into wine. This symbolised the reconciliation offered by God, to women and men.

The position of women in religion changed dramatically with the coming of Christ. In the Old Testament only the male children obtained membership in the old covenant, by circumcision. In Christ both men and women are initiated into the new covenant by baptism.

Jesus was the first Master to make women disciples. Through the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, He gained credibility among Samaritans. While dying on the cross, He gave His mother to the Church. He made Mary Magdalene the first witness of His resurrection, whom He sent to announce it to the apostles. 

Christ’s Church has the title of Mother. The Church has empowered women, many of whom are now revered as saints. In Uganda, the stories of Clara Nalumansi and other female martyrs, serve as powerful reminders of the strength of faith and the incredible resilience of women in the face of persecution. Their witness was instrumental in establishing a strong Christian foundation.

Admission of women

Non-admission of women to priestly ordination, however, cannot mean that women are of lesser dignity, nor can it be construed as discrimination against them. The presence and the role of women in life and in the mission of the Church, remains absolutely necessary and absolutely irreplaceable.

Women deacons in the Early Church, were, however, women-elders, but not priestesses. Priestesses are ordained for female deities, and are a pagan, not a Christian institution. Jesus would first have ordained the Virgin Mary.

Incidentally, since the major duty of a priest is to offer sacrifices, women do it very profoundly. They bear children, provide emotional support, nurture the family's well-being, and ensure the emotional stability of their husbands and children. According them the ministerial priesthood would be like overburdening them.

“If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.'' (African Proverb). The Church believes that the basis for a profound respect for every human person is linked to education, including that of women and girls. The monasteries preserved and promoted learning during the Dark Ages of Europe. They produced many great women scholars, poets, scientists and musicians. Many modern women have become heads of government or agencies.

The sites

The Church is deeply committed to offering health care to poor women. Mother Teresa's over 4,000 Missionaries of Charity alone maintain shelters for battered women, orphanages for girls and boys, and homes for destitute and dying women and men in more than 564 sites around the world.

Despite the obstacles placed before women, whether coming from sinners within the Church or from without, the Church still has the ability to generate women who are truly themselves. This is what sanctity is all about.