Praise For Including Female Experts At Vatican Synod

Sr. Christine Schenk of FutureChurch reports on the press release her organization sent out when the Vatican recently named six women specialists to serve during the Synod on the Word.

“The Vatican is to be congratulated for including three women biblical scholars and three other women specialists to serve as experts at October’s Synod on the Word,” said FutureChurch director, Sr. Christine Schenk. “This is especially gratifying since no women experts were included at the 2005 Synod on the Eucharist. We are hopeful that all the international scholars selected  (both male and female) are representative of the full spectrum of perspectives about women’s biblical leadership.  While we’re glad that FutureChurch’s first objective for the synod has been met, we look forward to the day when half of the designated experts are women rather than 15%. And now we want synod leaders to address our other three very important requests, “ said Schenk
 
 For the past two years, the Cleveland-based FutureChurch spearheaded a “Women and the Word” campaign asking the Vatican to include female biblical scholars October’s Synod on the Word.  At least 18,000 postcards and emailed requests were sent to U.S. and Canadian Bishops, asking synod leaders to also expand opportunities for women to preach, give greater pastoral attention to Jesus and St. Paul’s inclusion of women leaders, and restore deleted women leaders to the Catholic lectionary.
 
“Many mistakenly believe Jesus called only men and that Paul was anti-women,” said Schenk. “This is due in part to the fact that texts referring to female disciples and coworkers are never read on a Sunday. This creates significant pastoral challenges to evangelizing 21st century women and men who are accustomed to seeing women serving in civil and corporate leadership roles alongside men.”

“If we want to reach the next generation of Catholics, there is a need for Catholic preaching and reflection on the Word to reflect the gender balance found in Jesus and St. Paul's counter cultural practices. FutureChurch's work in our Women and the Word: Synod 2008 campaign arose directly from the need to find solutions to such important pastoral challenges,” said Schenk
 
A fascinating 1996 analysis by Sr. Ruth Fox OSB found a disproportionate number of passages about women had in fact been deleted from the lectionary, a book of biblical passages carefully chosen for church proclamation. (available for free download at http://www.futurechurch.org/watw/womeninbibleandlectionary.htm)
 
In July and August FutureChurch sent a packet of materials to all the English speaking bishop delegates to the Synod, including clerics in the U.S. the UK, Ireland, Australia, the Philippines, Canada, India and Africa. The packet included a list of  23 female biblical scholars available to serve at the synod and copious background materials about lectionary omissions regarding women leaders.
 
Concerned Catholic advocates sought and in some cases received meetings with US and Canadian synod delegates. FutureChurch director, Sr. Christine Schenk is following up with Bishop delegates and will be in Rome while the Synod is in process.
 
“Unfortunately, for centuries, Mary of Magdala’s leadership and that of many other biblical women, has been minimized or excised from the official lectionary used in both Catholic and Protestant churches,” said FutureChurch Board Member, Barbara Litrell.
 
“For example, even though all four gospels name Mary of Magdala as the first witness to the Resurrection, Jesus’ commission asking her to proclaim it to the male disciples is never read on Sunday, yet we hear about doubting Thomas every single year.  And Phoebe, an important leader at the Church of Cenchrae, is completely excised from the lectionary text of Paul’s letter to the Romans, as are Lois and Eunice from the letter to Timothy. We want Church officials to correct that,” she concluded.
 
Campaign accomplishments:
At least 18,000 paper and electronic postcards were sent to US bishops, the Pope and Vatican officials asking for attention to women's biblical leadership and experience in church preaching and scripture proclamation at the October Synod.
 
In 2007 and 2008 , hundreds of organizers at over 600 Mary of Magdala celebrations in the US , Canada, Austalia and six other countries incorporated a special prayer service celebrating the hidden women of the lectionary and distributed hundreds of postcards and forwarded e-postcard appeals.  
 
Many leaders of men’s and women’s religious orders spoke or wrote personal letters to their bishops asking for female biblical experts to serve as consultants at the Synod.
 
A number of bishops and Cardinals wrote in support of the campaign, or have privately expressed their support of it.
 

Here is the total list of experts and auditors:

EXPERTS
 
- Mauro Agosto, professor of Latin at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome.
- Fr. Peter Damian Akpunonu, professor of biblical exegesis at the University of Our Lady of The Lake, Chicago, U.S.A., and member of the International Theological Commission.
- Fr. Nicolas Antiba, archimandrite of the Greek-Melkite Catholic "Eglise Saint Julien-Le-Pauvre", Paris, France.
- Fr. Enzo Bianchi, prior of the monastic community of Bose, Italy.
- Fr. Cesare Bissoli S.D.B., professor emeritus of biblical studies and catechesis at the Pontifical Salesian University, Rome.
- Fr. Joseph Bou Raad O.A.M., professor of Holy Scripture at the "Antonine Hadath" University of Baabda, Lebanon.
- Sr. Sara Butler M.S.B.T., professor of dogmatic theology at St. Joseph's Seminary, New York, U.S.A.
- Sr. Nuria Calduch Benages M.H.S.F.N., professor of the biblical theology of the Old Testament at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
- Fr. Waldemar Chrostowski, professor at the "Cardinal Wyszynski" State University, Warsaw, Poland.
- Fr. Fidel Onoro Consuegra C.I.M., director of the Biblical Pastoral Centre for Latin America (CEBIPAL), Colombia.
- Bruna Costacurta, professor of the biblical theology of the Old Testament at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
- Fr. Luis Henrique da Silva, co-ordinator of biblical revision and assessor of the Episcopal Pastoral Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil.
- Fr. Luc Devillers O.P., professor at the "Ecole Biblique De Jerusalem" and editor for the New Testament of the "Revue Biblique", Israel.
- Fr. Raul Duarte Castillo, rector of the diocesan seminary of Zamora, Mexico.
- Fr. Jorge Juan Fernandez Sangrador, director of the Library of Christian Authors (BAC), Spain.
- Fr. Juan Javier Flores Arcas O.S.B., director of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of St. Anselm, Rome.
- Fr. Marc Girard, professor of biblical exegesis at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, Canada, and member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
- Msgr. Pedro Hidalgo Diaz, rector of the "Facultad De Teologia Pontificia y Civil" of Lima, Peru.
- Fr. Johan Maria Herman Konings S.J., professor of Holy Scripture at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
- Marguerite Lena, professor of philosophy at the Madelaine Danielou Centres, and director for the theological formation of young people at the Saint-Francois-Xavier Community of Paris, France.
- Msgr. Ermenegildo Manicardi, rector of the "Almo Collegio Capranica" and professor at the Pontifical Biblical Instiute, Rome.
- Fr. Frederic Manns O.F.M., professor of New Testament exegesis and of ancient Hebrew literature at the "Studium Biblicum Franciscanum", Israel.
- Fr. Paolo Martinelli O.F.M. Cap., president of the Franciscan institute of spirituality at the Antonianum Pontifical Athenaeum, and professor of fundamental theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
- Fr. Fiorello Mascarenhas S.J., president of the Catholic Bible Institute, Mumbai, India.
- Fr. Jean-Bosco Matand Bulembat, rector of the Catholic Faculties of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Fr. Vincent Nguyen-Van-Ban, professor of Holy Scripture and director of the formation of seminarians at the major seminary of Sao Bien in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
- Sr. Mary Jerome Obiorah I.H.M., professor of Holy Scripture at the University of Nigeria and at the major seminary of the archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria.
- Fr. Godfrey Onah, professor of philosophy at the Pontifical Urban University, Rome.
- Fr. Salvador Pie Ninot, professor of fundamental and ecclesial theology at the Faculty of Theology of Catalonia, Barcelona, and professor of fundamental theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
- Fr. Stephen F. Pisano S.J., rector of the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome.
- Fr. Marko Rupnik S.J., director of the Ezio Aletti Study and Research Centre, Rome.
- Alexander Schweitzer, secretary general of the Catholic Bible Federation, Germany.
- Thomas Soding, professor of biblical theology at the "Bergische" University of Wuppertal, Germany, and a member of the International Theological Commission.
- Fr. Klemens Stock S.J., secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and professor emeritus of New Testament exegesis at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome.
- Sr. Germana Strola O.C.S.O., nun of the Trappist convent of Vitorchiano, Italy.
- Fr. Zeljko Tanjic, professor of fundamental theology at the faculty of theology in the University of Zagreb, Croatia.
- Fr. Cyril Vasil, S.J., rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute and dean of the faculty of Eastern Canon Law, Rome.
- Msgr. Timothy Verdon, professor of sacred art at the Theological Faculty of Central Italy, Florence, Italy.
- Michael Waldstein, professor of New Testament studies at the International Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family, Gaming, Austria.
- Fr. Giorgio Zevini S.D.B., dean of the faculty of theology and professor of biblical studies at the Pontifical Salesian University, Rome.
- Fr. Victor Zinkuratire S.S.S., professor of biblical theology at the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA), Nairobi, Kenya.
 
AUDITORS
 
- Carl Albert Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, U.S.A.
- Rigoberto Angarita, professor at the St. Joseph Institute of the Salesian Fathers in San Cristobal, Venezuela.
- Ponpuzhakotayil Cherian Aniyankunju, spokesperson of the archdiocese of Changanacherry of the Syro-Malabars, India.
- Sr. M. Viviana Ballarin O.P., superior general of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, and president of the Union of Superiors Major of Italy (USMI).
- Sr. Euphrasie Beya, president of the "Union Des Superieurs Majeures" (USUMA), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Daniele Boscaro, head of the Association of Italian Catholic Guides and Scouts (AGESCI), Padua, Italy.
- Sr. Maria Antonietta Bruscato F.S.P., superior general of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Italy.
- Rafael Chainarong Monthienvichienchai, vice chancellor of St. John's University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Moyses Lauro de Azevedo Filho, founder and moderator general of the "Shalom" Catholic community, Brazil.
- Fr. Ari Luis Do Valle Ribeiro, professor of theology at the diocesan seminary of Santo Amaro, Brazil.
- Natalja Fedorova Borovskaja, professor at the Russian State University for the Humanities and at the Russian Academy for Fine Arts, Russia.
- Luis Fernando Figari, superior general of the "Sodalitium Vitae Christianae", Peru.
- Sr. Evelyne Franc F.D.C., superior general of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, France.
- Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkowitz, professor of the philosophy of religion and of the comparative history of religions at the Technical University of Dresden, Germany.
- Elvira Go, assistant for biblical pastoral care, Philippines.
- Francisco Jose Gomez Arguello Wirtz, co-founder of the Neo-Catechumenal Way, Spain.
- Ricardo Grzona, president of the "Fundacion Ramon Pane" of Honduras, and Catholic consultor of the United Bible Societies of the Americas, U.S.A.
- Thomas Hong-Soon Han, professor of economics at the College of Business and Economics, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, and president of the Apostolate of Lay Catholics, Korea.
- Sr. Jocelyne Huot S.F.A., president of the movement "Les Brebis de Jesus", Quebec, Canada.
- Fr. Michel Jorrot O.S.B., abbot of the Benedictine abbey of Clervaux, Luxembourg.
- Fr. Daniel Pablo Kerber Mas, professor of biblical theology at the Faculty of Theology of Uruguay, director of the Pastoral Institute for Catechesis of the archdiocese of Montevideo, and pastor of St. Alexander and St. Peter Claver, Uruguay.
- Sr. Marija Ana Kustura S.M.I., superior general of the Handmaidens of the Child Jesus, president of the Union of Superiors Major of Croatia.
- Ewa Kusz, president of the World Conference of Secular Institutes (CMIS), Poland.
- Nikolaus Lobkowicz, rector emeritus of the University of Munich and first rector of the Catholic University of Eichstatt, director of the Centre for Studies on Eastern and Central Europe, Germany.
- Fidele Mabegle, director of the School of Theology for the Laity of the archdiocese of Yaounde, Cameroon.
- Sr. Louise Madore F.D.L.S., president of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG).
- Sr. M. Clare Millea A.S.C.J., superior general of the Sisters Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Rome.
- Michelle Moran, president of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS), Great Britain.
- Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant'Egidio Community, Italy.
- Silvia Sanchini, national female president of the Italian Catholic University Federation (FUCI), Italy.
 - Armel Diockel Sarr, catechist of the archdiocese of Dakar, Senegal.
- Sr. Apollinaris Shimura Yuriko C.S.M., superior general of the Sisters of Charity of Miyazaki, Japan.
- Agnes Shun-Ling Lam, president of the Catholic Biblical Association of Hong Kong, and associate professor at the English Centre of the University of Hong Kong, China.
- Sr. Janice Soluk S.A.M.I., superior general of the Handmaidens of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate, Rome.
- Maria Voce, president of the "Focolari" movement, Italy.
- Fr. Kamil William, director of the Higher Institute for Social Sciences and professor of Holy Scripture, Cairo, Egypt.
- Teresa Maria Wilsnagh, regional director of the Catholic Bible Foundation (CBF) of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa.