Church Retains Male Dominance, According to Sister Giuliana Galli
Rewritten Article:
IN VATICAN CITY, A NUN'S PLEA FOR A FUTURE OF INCLUSION
As a 90-year-old nun with a lifetime of service within the Church, Sister Giuliana Galli has encountered her share of barriers. With a firm voice, she recalls, "Throughout my life, I've been told with a masculine attitude, 'How dare you?' when proposing initiatives and ideas within the Church." But Sister Giuliana isn't looking back, Instead, she's issuing a call to action for the future: the Church must continue to break down the barriers it has begun to dismantle under Pope Francis.
On a day when 133 men will gather in Conclave to decide the next pope, Sister Giuliana speaks about the need for further valoration of the feminine component within the Church. "Francis described the Church as woman and mother. It's a beautiful, complete description. But then there are structures that don't allow the woman to truly emerge as what she is."
Some argue that Francis's efforts haven't been revolutionary, but a reform in progress. Sister Giuliana agrees, "Revolutions, more often than not, are followed by painful retreats. Evolution, however, is something very good." And it's not just up to the next pope to continue this work; it's up to all women within the Church to seize the opportunity. "We must venture into the world of the Church, take risks, and be prepared for criticism and novelty."
Sister Giuliana goes on to discuss the risks women face in the Church, risks that stem from centuries of tradition that have encouraged quietness, service, and humility. "But what's needed is courageous humility," she insists. "We still have to invent our modern-day Marys, our Teresas of Avila, our Catherine of Sienas."
Reflecting on her years of service within the Church, she shares, "I've never felt underestimated, but I've certainly felt the weight of male authority." And the Church, despite the progress made under Francis, remains macho, she says. "Machismo is so deeply ingrained, many don't even see it."
Yet, Sister Giuliana remains hopeful. She envisions a pope who continues Francis's line of openness to the world in the name of the Gospel. She envisions parishes led by women, and a Church where women are present not just to fulfill tasks but because their strength and identity are essential to creation.
As we await the next pope, Sister Giuliana's message is clear: The Church must recognize in women a much broader capacity than what is attributed today, must call upon them, and must break down the remaining walls that still exist.
Enrichment Insights:
1. Theological Reassessment:- The need for a reexamination of Scripture, tradition, and liturgy through a gender-inclusive lens.- The importance of highlighting the contributions of female saints, mystics, and doctors of the Church.- The need to reinterpret hierarchical interpretations of gender roles, emphasizing collaboration over subordination.- Framing Mary as a model of active discipleship, leadership, and theological agency, rather than passive symbolism.
2. Structural Reforms:- Opening diaconal ordination to women to allow them formal liturgical and pastoral roles.- Mandating female participation in Vatican dicasteries and diocesan decision-making bodies.- Appointing women as heads of pontifical councils, theological commissions, and Catholic universities.
3. Pastoral and Educational Empowerment:- Developing seminary curricula that include feminist theology, gender studies, and women’s historical contributions.- Encouraging laywomen to lead ministries and pastoral initiatives with institutional support.- Building global platforms for women theologians, canon lawyers, and pastoral workers to share expertise.
4. Liturgical and Symbolic Visibility:- Updating prayers, hymns, and translations to reflect equality.- Elevating liturgies commemorating women’s contributions to theology, education, and social reform.- Commissioning works depicting biblical and historical women as central figures in salvation history.
5. Synodal and Canonical Advocacy:- Amending Canon Law to remove barriers to women’s governance.- Ensuring proportional female representation in global synods and listening sessions, with voting rights on par with clergy.- Partnering with groups like the IUSG to amplify advocacy efforts.
6. Cultural Shift:- Combat stereotypes through workshops, media campaigns, and parish dialogues.- Feature women preachers, writers, and scholars in Catholic publications and events.- Learn from Protestant and Orthodox traditions with female clergy.
These steps aim to foster a Church where women’s gifts are fully integrated, reflecting Sister Giuliana's vision of a synodal, participatory, and co-responsible community. Success hinges on sustained commitment from clergy, laity, and the Vatican to transform both structures and hearts.
- Sister Giuliana's advocacy for the Church extends to a call for a reevaluation of religious texts, symbols, and rituals through a gender-inclusive perspective.
- In her vision for the future, the vocabularies of diaconal ordination should be expanded to include women, enabling them to assume formal liturgical and pastoral roles.
- To empower and amplify female voices, Sister Giuliana champions the need for seminary curricula that incorporate feminist theology, gender studies, and the historical contributions of women.
- She envisions a Church where women preachers and scholars are prominently featured in Catholic publications and events, contributing to a cultural shift that challenges stereotypes and stereotypes.
- Sister Giuliana believes in the importance of female participation in Vatican dicasteries, diocesan decision-making bodies, and the appointment of women as heads of pontifical councils, theological commissions, and Catholic universities.
- To foster a more inclusive Church, Sister Giuliana proposes updating prayers, hymns, and liturgical translations to reflect equality and highlighting the contributions of female saints, mystics, and doctors of the Church.
- As a remedy for the Church's macho culture, Sister Giuliana advocates for rigorous self-examination, identifying and dismantling any remaining barriers that hinder the full integration of women's gifts.
