From Below: Whinging Women in the Church

Mumbo Jumbo No. 5 is full of social-science speak and the kind of ambiguity that lovers of loopholes are always looking for.

A woman dressed up as a man

The General Secretariat of the Synod has just published the Final Report of Study Group No. 5 on Wimmin’s participation in the life and leadership of the Church.

I could say that I read through this so you don’t have to, but that would be to imply that someone has to read it. They don’t. No Catholic is looking for this. Those who clamour for it are people already at odds with the Church and her teaching. They have refused the wholesome food that mummy is offering in favour of the coke and sweeties that look and taste so good.

Mumbo Jumbo No. 5 is full of social-science speak and the kind of ambiguity that lovers of loopholes are always looking for.

It will surprise no one to hear that the word power appears frequently:

“certain women who… have exercised genuine authority and real power in service of the Church’s mission.”

“…represented an ‘exercise’ of power and authority that was very fruitful for the life of the People of God.”

As does the rather telling phrase “from below.”

“This section presents a reflection that begins ‘from below.’”

“The reflection would need to be constructed beginning ‘from below.’”

“The following considerations, drawn from the listening process, are now presented, thus privileging an approach ‘from below,’ inspired by the principle that ‘realities are greater than ideas’ (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, par. 233).”

“What took place was the implementation of a living and dynamic listening, an ongoing and non-static process of discernment, the adoption of an approach ‘from below.’”

And in keeping with that which is “from below,” we see the word demand:

“The ‘question of women’ is present precisely as a demand or expectation of equality in ever broader portions of the Church throughout the world” (cf. Francis, Apost. Exhort. Christus Vivit).

In the temporal sphere, ‘bottom-up’ approaches (from below) emerged as a response to the failure of ‘top-down’ policies; but there is nothing wrong, and everything right, with top-down authority when that authority is God. Place it in the hands of Godless men and it cannot but fail.

The irony is that this is precisely what advocates of women’s ‘leadership’ in the Church are doing. They are employing human structures which they recognise have already failed to try and change divine law. It cannot be done. But instead of saying this and saving everyone a lot of time and effort, the pusillanimous clerics entertaining this nonsense are pandering to women they are too afraid to lead.

Until relatively recently the Church spoke boldly, clearly, and unambiguously.