Pope stresses "fundamental" value of women in Church

[Beacool]

22. The Church moves very slowly.

Last edited Thu Apr 4, 2013, 12:22 AM - Edit history (1)

Pope Francis washing the feet of women and stating that women are of fundamental importance to the Church is quite progressive by papal standards.

"The address was the second time Francis had spoken of women's role as witnesses to the resurrection of Christ, a subject of bedrock importance to the Catholic faith.

His Easter Vigil address on Saturday made prominent mention of women and urged believers not to fear change.

Francis's decision a week ago to include women in a traditional foot-washing ritual drew ire from traditionalists, who see the custom as a re-enactment of Jesus washing the feet of his apostles and said it should therefore be limited to men.

Marinella Perroni, a theologian and leading member of the Association of Italian Women Theologians, which promotes female experts on religion and their visibility in the Church, said the pope's words marked a significant shift from the previous pope."

Baby steps............