MULIERIS DIGNATATEM

INTRODUCTION

Homework Tonight

• Read Chapter II of Mulieris Dignitatem (MD): WOMAN-MOTHER OF GOD (THEOTÓKOS)

John Paul II and Women

• John Paul II teaches in no uncertain terms that women and men are equal as persons before God. Both man and woman are human beings to an equal degree, both are created in God’s image.

• The communion within the Trinity is reflected in the union of man and woman brought about by their complementarity: absolute unity through freedom and distinctive differences. This can be only accomplished through love.

• JPII cautions women not to depart from the riches of their feminine nature – the uniqueness of their feminine genius.

• Points out that Mary is the perfect model for the feminine.

Theology of the Body

• Theology of the Body is the topic of a series of 129 lectures given by Pope John Paul II during his Wednesday audiences in St. Peter's Square and Paul VI Audience Hall between September 5, 1979 and November 28, 1984. It was the first major teaching of his pontificate. The complete addresses were later compiled and expanded upon in many of John Paul's encyclicals, letters, and exhortations.

• The “Theology of the Body” is St. John Paul II's integrated vision of the human person. The human body has a specific meaning, making visible an invisible reality, and is capable of revealing answers regarding fundamental questions about us and our lives:

1. Is there a real purpose to life and if so, what is it?2. What does it mean that we were created in the image of God?3. Why were we created male and female? Does it really matter if we are one sex or

another?4. What does the marital union of a man and woman say to us about God and his plan for

our lives?5. What is the purpose of the married and celibate vocations?6. What exactly is "Love"?7. Is it truly possible to be pure of heart?

Mulieris Dignitatem

• Mulieris Dignitatem = The Dignity of Women• 1988 apostolic letter by John Paul II on the dignity

of women. • (Apostolic letter = One of the major types of

ecclesiastical documents issued by the Pope or in his name to the Bishops and people of the Church.)

• The letter advocates the complementary roles of men and women in line with the philosophy of new feminism.

Background

The letter was written for two reasons:1. In 1987, in the light of Vatican Council II teachings, a

Synod of Bishops gathered to examine the importance of the Laity in the Church and their mission. One of the Synod’s recommendations was that further anthropological studies were needed to understand in the light of Revelation: what does it really mean to be a man or a woman?

2. 1988 was also a Marian Year; hence, the late Pope saw it fit to give his own theological understanding on the

importance of the dignity and vocation of women, as Mary,Mother of God and of the Church is a model to be pondered upon and followed.

Quiz1. What was the name of the council during the 60’s that changed the Church?2. True or false: Pope Francis is the first Pope to recognize women’s rights in the

Church.3. Who are the “laity?”4. Why is it significant that Paul didn’t call Mary “Mary” but called her

“Woman?”5. What is the culminating and definitive part of God’s revelation of Himself to

humanity?6. What does Theotokos mean?7. What was Mary’s “Fiat?”

Extra credit: What is the “Proto-Evangelium?”

The New Feminism

• a philosophy which emphasizes a belief in an integral complementarity of men and women, rather than the superiority of men over women or women over men.

• Takes pride in the gift of motherhood – both physical and spiritual.

• While rooted in JPII’s philosophy, the New Feminism is NOT just for Catholics – but for all women.

History: 1st Wave

• In Feminist history the commonly accepted genealogy of feminism begins with the First Wave Feminists, or Suffragists as they were called during their lifetimes. This First Wave began roughly around 1848 and lasted until the Nineteenth Constitutional Amendment legalized voting rights for women (the primary goal of the movement) in 1920.

• It was family-oriented. (i.e. female prohibitionists.)

• Home base = social activism.

2nd Wave• The Second Wave of Feminism

doesn’t have quite as clear of a start date, but many of the ideas and foundational building blocks were already being promoted in society as early as the 1910s-20s. It grew with the so-called, “Sexual Revolution.”

• It was very individual-oriented and promoted women becoming like men to be “free.”

• Supportive of abortion, contraception and “sexual freedom.”

• Home base = universities.

The 3rd Wave

• Home base = social movements• We are currently living in the Third Wave of Feminist

thought. • Importance of political activism has become more central • Leaders have entrenched themselves in high positions at

Universities to assure the continuance of their ideological doctrines.

• 3rd wave is charged with gender-related (often very confusing!) agendas, and has put itself in line with the homosexual agenda here in the USA.

• Includes both men and women.

The 4th Wave• The New Feminism = the 4th wave which is

dawning.• The New Feminist refuse to work against

woman’s nature to be maternal, nurturing – and yet strong!

• It seeks a more balanced view which upholds woman’s nature while promoting her individual freedom and dignity as a person.

JPII’s Quote• “In transforming culture so that it

supports life, women occupy a place, in thought and action, which is unique and decisive. It depends on them to promote a “new feminism” which rejects the temptation of imitating models of “male domination”, in order to acknowledge and affirm the true genius of women in every aspect of the life of society, and overcome all discrimination, violence and exploitation.” (Evangelium Vitae, n. 99)

• - See more at: http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2013/07/22/what-is-a-new-feminist/#sthash.4XKDFPou.dpuf

New Feminism = AUTHENTIC Feminism

• Why? • It upholds the FEMININE GENIUS

described by JPII (rooted in philosophy of female thinkers such as Edith Stein and Gertrude Von Le Fort.)

• The Feminine Genius points to characteristics that women, in general, were created to excel at naturally.

• It provides balance with men’s gift of masculinity in family, society and church.

Characteristics of Feminine Genius

• empathy• interpersonal relations• emotive capacity• subjectivity• communication• intuition• Personalization

- See more at: http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2013/07/22/what-is-a-new-feminist/#sthash.4XKDFPou.dpuf

As Pope Paul VI pleaded and implored women in the 1965 Second Vatican Council’s closing address, “Reconcile men with life and above all, we beseech you, watch carefully over the future of our race. Hold back the hand of man who, in a moment of folly, might attempt to destroy human civilization.”

OPENING STATEMENT IN MD

• The Second Vatican Council, declared in its Closing Message (1965):

• The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of women is being acknowledged in its fullness, the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved.

• That is why, at his moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling".

Jesus and Women

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIcnsEJubz4