Women and the Word:
Follow-up to Synod 2008
Dear Friend of Women's Equality in the Church:
This past October, bishops from all over the world gathered for the International Synod on the Word. It was a historic gathering because it raised awareness about the invisibility of women biblical leaders in Church preaching and scripture proclamation. Although the gathering is over, the work is NOT DONE. Synod Proposal 16 recommends examination of the Lectionary to “see if the actual selection and ordering of the readings are truly adequate to the mission of the Church in this historic moment.” We now need to make sure that the lectionary reexamination actually happens, and to request the inclusion of biblical woman leaders. This is our opportunity to encourage the Vatican to be accountable to the recommendations of Synod bishops.
Read more about the Women and the Word campaign and the historic outcomes of the synod.
FutureChurch is asking you to send a postcard to Cardinal Antonio Caņizares Llovera, Prefect Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and cc’ing the Synod Council members requesting that they:
- Open an examination of the Lectionary to “see if the actual selection and ordering of the readings are truly adequate to the mission of the Church in this historic moment,” as recommended by Synod Proposal 16.
- Restore women leaders such as Phoebe (Romans 16), Lois and Eunice (2 Tim1:4,5) and Mary of Magdala (John 20: 11-18) to Lectionary texts from which they have been deleted.
- Include stories about other women leaders such as Shiprah and Puah, the midwives who saved a nation of Hebrew boy-children, perhaps even Moses.
- Convene a gender-balanced group of biblical scholars and liturgists to decide which women’s stories would be most fruitful for prayer, preaching and catechesis if added to the lectionary.
Order paper postcards here or download and print blank postcards