commission for australian
Catholic Women

 

In 1996 the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ACBC) launched a major research initiative focusing on the participation of women in the Catholic Church in Australia. The aim in doing so was to gather information about the participation of women in the Church in order to help Church bodies to reflect on and promote the Gospel vision of the equal dignity of women and men, to discuss the issues in a constructive way, and to plan for the future.

The research was structured around four key questions:

  1. What are the ways in which women participate in the Catholic Church in Australia?
  2. What assistance and support are currently offered to women to participate in the Church?
  3. What are the barriers to women’s participation in the Church?
  4. What are some ways in which women’s participation in the Church can be increased?

A report setting out the findings from the research was published as "Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus". The report pointed to women being as involved as possible in the processes of decision making at the different levels of Church life. It also suggested that the nature of ministry within the Church, and in particular the role of women in Church ministries, be addressed; and that programs be developed to promote the equality and dignity of women, enabling a better balance of women and men, clergy, religious and laity on Church bodies.

It encouraged the training of indigenous women and men for leadership and ministry to their own people and expressed the desire that cultural expressions of the Catholic faith be recognised, welcomed and integrated into liturgy where they are appropriate.

In September 2000 the Catholic Bishops of Australia launched the Social Justice Statement which responds to the Report "Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus". The Social Justice Statement contains 9 decisions and 31 proposals for action at diocesan level.

The 9th decision was that the Commission for Australian Catholic Women be established. The purpose of the Commission is twofold. It has a mandate to:

  1. act as a focal point for ongoing dialogue and integration of ideas pertaining to women and their participation in the Catholic Church in Australia
  2. assist in the implementation of the decisions and recommendations concerning the participation of women in the Catholic Church in Australia.

The Commission has responsibility for assisting in the implementation of the recommendations arising in response to the Report on the Participation of Women in the Catholic Church in Australia by the ACBC involving:

monitoring the development of strategic planning concerning recommendations from the ACBC in response to the Report;
ongoing dialogue about the participation of women in the Church;
selection and dissemination of examples of best practice related to the promotion of the participation of women;
evaluation of the outcomes of the ACBC recommendations; and
the development of specialised publications which acknowledge Catholic teaching, use other sources, and draw on "Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus" and the response of the ACBC, for parishes, schools and organizations.

At present the members of the Commission for Australian Catholic Women are:

Mrs Geraldine Hawkes Chair (SA)

Sr Sonia Wagner sgs Deputy (NSW)

Bishop Peter Connors (VIC)

Mrs Colleen Muckan (QLD)

Fr Peter Comensoli (NSW)

Dr Marie Macdonald (VIC)

Mrs Teresa Lynch (SA)

Dr Jennifer Skerritt (WA)

Professor Patrick Duignan (NSW)

Ms Therese Vassarotti (ACT) Executive Officer

Ms Mary Moran (ACT) Administrative Office

Out of the 9 decisions for action put forward by the ACBC, 4 have been chosen as the focus for action in the Geraldton Diocese. Those 4 are:

DECISION 3

That the ACBC commits itself, through its various committees, to foster research in the following areas:

(c) the theology of the human person, sexuality, marriage and family life, especially as it refers to the contemporary life of Catholic women;

DECISION 4

The ACBC commits itself through the Bishops’ Committee for the Liturgy to study the following areas:

(b) in collaboration with the Bishops’ Committee for Aborigines, the provision of guidelines, materials and resources directed to integrating elements of indigenous culture into the celebration of the liturgy;

DECISION 5

That the ACBC commits itself through its committees to draw up policies of care to respond to the pain of people and groups of people within the church who are struggling with the implications of church teaching:

    1. by providing pastoral and spiritual support for those suffering the pain of failed marriage or divorce and those who have entered into another marriage;
    2. by the provision of guidelines to assist in the pastoral care of those who are finding difficulty in understanding and accepting the church’s teaching on the restriction of ordination to males;
DECISION 7

That concerning indigenous Catholics in Australia the ACBC asks:

  1. that the Bishops’ Committee for Aborigines enters into dialogue with Australian indigenous peoples about suggested actions arising from the Report on the Participation of Women in the Catholic Church in Australia.

 

As the community of the followers of Jesus Christ we try to live with the value of inclusivity which offers people a sense of belonging and acceptance. It is not about being men or being women in the church, it is about being fully human and respecting the dignity and gifts of each individual.

In our diocese we will continue to explore how we can better journey as one. Whilst we acknowledge the enormous contribution made by women and men in our diocese, we will also dialogue on the traditions and attitudes that form barriers to full participation in our church. We need to find ways to respond to the pain of people and groups of people within the church who feel alienated or who are struggling with the implications of church teaching.

My name is Sheena Barber and I am the contact person in the Diocese of Geraldton for the Commission for Australian Catholic Women. My husband, Rob, and I live in Geraldton, whilst our four children and two grandchildren live in Perth. Because of this, we often feel a sense of isolation and yet, when we recently drove north to Port Hedland and back down through Tom Price, Paraburdoo and across to the coast for the trip back to Geraldton, we realised the real meaning of isolation. In late November, we are planning a short visit out to Mt Magnet, Cue and Meekatharra, where we hope to connect with some of the people.

Newsletters, media releases and other pieces of information, often arrive from the Commission for Australian Catholic Women. We will endeavour to post these on the web page so that they are available to you. If you would like a pamphlet outlining the complete 9 decisions and 31 proposals of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, please contact me and I will mail one out to you.

Letter From The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

 Contact:

Email: barber.sheena@cathednet.wa.edu.au

Ph: 9964 5699

Postal Address:

PO Box 360

Geraldton 6531