Christine Schenk's column is a regular feature of National Catholic Reporter.
It is difficult to ignore ever-mounting evidence that the clerical system governing the Catholic church is in a significant state of decay. Yet, I can't help believing that the Holy Spirit — who loves creating something new out of chaos — is summoning us to build a new church governance.
All Christians were understood to image Christ: "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus," as Paul reminds us in the beautiful Galatian baptismal hymn. So what happened? A struggle with the larger patriarchal culture is what happened.
Simply Spirit: Some pretty amazing, 21st century women and men joined me on a pilgrimage in cherishing these oft-hidden women whose tomb motifs depict them in authoritative ecclesial postures, teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.
Simply Spirit - Is God calling us to a radical metanoia? A turning ourselves around so as to celebrate human sexual differences and reconsider who has decision-making voice in the church?
Reform starts with ordinary Catholics because we are the ones who financially support the present failed system. We are complicit in the sins of that system if we are not involved in creating inclusive structures of accountability.
Simply Spirit: After Vatican II, sisters joined the civil rights movement, engaged in advocacy for women's rights and even ran for office. It was a precursor, in a way, to the recent "pink wave" midterms.
Simply Spirit - Amid growing consternation about my country and about my church, the words of St. Óscar Romero help me remember who I am and who I am called to be.
Simply Spirit - I wonder if the current implosion of ecclesiastical credibility over clergy sex abuse can create a new moment of grace, one that breaks down outmoded governance models. We may already have a road map — thanks to liberation theologian Leonardo Boff.
Simply Spirit: For the most part — at least until recently — Mary of Magdala's witness was all but invisible in Christian history, even though her testimony is the lynchpin upon which the proclamation of the resurrection depends.
Simply Spirit: Vatican statements on women priests are invariably ahistorical and biblically naive. It is embarrassing. Worse, they bear false witness to the Jesus of history and are ultimately destructive to the body of Christ, especially the distaff side.
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