St. Phoebe
We’re in our third year of the diocesan local synod conducted under the leadership of Archbishop Hebda. Not to be confused with that is the Global Synod started at the initiative of Pope Francis and now is being implemented under the leadership of Pope Leo.
Today I’d like to update you with developments that are coming out of the global synod. The Synod has covered a number of timely topics. Of particular interest has been its discussions on the role of woman in the church.
The scripture readings for today give evidence that the role of women in the church was valued from the beginning. In the Gospel Jesus reminds us that all are called to be his disciples, men and women alike.
Then in today’s second reading from Philomen Paul has convinced Onesimus, a runaway slave whom he’s befriended to return to his master Philomen. Paul writes a letter urging Philomen to receive Onesimus as a “partner in the Lord”. Again, if a slave is called to be a disciple all are called to be disciples, men and women alike.
Last Tuesday Sept 3 was the Feast of St. Phoebe. Paul writes of Phoebe in Roman’s 16: 1 Paul writes of St. Pheobe when he says, “I commend to you Phoebe our sister in the Lord, a minister of the church.” The English word translated as “minister” is originally rendered in the Greek as “diakonos,” which means servant. Whether the term “diakonos” was a description of her servant leadership role or was actually referring to her ordination as a deacon is now under study.
The Global Synod has touched on a number of things that affirm women’s leadership role in the church. One, the Global Synod recognized the contributions women have made to the church over the centuries. Women have run schools, hospitals, and shelters. They have led initiatives for reconciliation, promoting human dignity and social justice. And they have been in positions of responsibility in church institutions like the Roman Curia.
In addition, the Global Synod is looking to more fully utilize the opportunities that cannon law already provides for women in the life of the church but are sometimes not utilized. As it was put, “Not to use women’s gifts is to the detriment of the church.”
Accordingly, the Global Synod is encouraging the church to explore ways to expand the role of women in the church. The driving principle behind this is the concept of co-responsibility. Co-responsibility refers to shared leadership between clergy and laity, between men and women.