Mixed Messages

The church sends positive messages to young women by women being able to participate as altar servers, lectors, lead service trips, participate in youth groups, or become pastoral associates or teachers of religious education. However, women cannot become priests, which often brings along differing opinions on this issue. The article also points out that official church teaching honors women as equal in dignity to men. In terms of sexual relationships, official church teaching affirms the need for intimacy, mutuality, consent, and respect for the dignity of one’s partner. I have learned especially at the Mount, the importance of empowering women and how women are capable of anything that men are. There are less negative messages today about women because women are not supposed to be as quiet and reserved as we once were supposed to be. The Catholic church is moving in a positive direction regarding the role of women (not just taking care of the home), but women still are not able to do all of the same jobs (such as become a priest.)