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In this episode we interviewed Dr. Flaminia
Giovanelli, Under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for
Justice & Peace. We also have a brief interview segment from
Mother Angelica.
Books written by Mother Angelica found at the
EWTN online store.
1) Answers Not Promises - Item #6068
2) Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons - Item #19850
3) Mother Angelica’s Private & Pithy Lessons - Item #51986
4) Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story Of A Nun - Item
#10936
Here are some facts:
• One quarter of the diocesan positions such as chancellor
and chief financial officer are held by women
• The number of women in Church leadership positions is
comparable to that of women in the U.S workforce
• Well known women in the Church who effected great change;
Mother Teresa, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena
• Major areas of Catholic influence in the U.S are in the
education and health systems where women take the lead.
"But the hour is coming, in fact has come, when the
vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour
in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect
and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this
moment when the human race is under-going so deep a
transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the
Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling." -
Second Vatican Council II Closing Speech, December 8,
1965, Delivered by Pope Paul VI at the closing of the Council.
TO WOMEN (read by Leon Cardinal Duval of Algiers, Algeria,
assisted by Julius Cardinal Doepfner of Munich, Germany, and
Raul Cardinal Siloa of Santiago, Chile.)
And now it is to you that we address ourselves, women
of all states -- girls, wives, mothers and widows, to you
also, consecrated virgins and women living alone -- you
constitute half of the immense human family. As you know, the
Church is proud to have glorified and liberated woman, and in
the course of the centuries, in diversity of characters, to
have brought into relief her basic equality with man. But the
hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman
is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman
acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power
never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the
human race is under-going so deep a transformation, women
impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to
aid mankind in not falling.
You women have always had as your lot the protection of
the home, the love of beginnings and an understanding of
cradles. You are present in the mystery of a life beginning.
You offer consolation in the departure of death. Our
technology runs the risk of becoming inhuman. Reconcile men
with life and above all, we beseech you, watch carefully over
the future of our race. Hold back the hand of man who, in a
moment of folly, might attempt to destroy human civilization.
Wives, mothers of families, the first educators of the
human race in the intimacy of the family circle, pass on to
your sons and your daughters the traditions of your fathers at
the same time that you prepare them for an unsearchable
future. Always remember that by her children a mother belongs
to that future which perhaps she will not see.
And you, women living alone, realize what you can
accomplish through your dedicated vocation. Society is
appealing to you on all sides. Not even families can live
without the help of those who have no families. Especially
you, consecrated virgins, in a world where egoism and the
search for pleasure would become law, be the guardians of
purity, unselfishness and piety. Jesus who has given to
conjugal love all its plenitudes, has also exalted the
renouncement of human love when this is for the sake of divine
love and for the service of all.
Lastly, women in trial, who stand upright at the foot of the
cross like Mary, you who so often in history have given to men
the strength to battle unto the very end and to give witness
to the point of martyrdom, aid them now still once more to
retain courage in their great undertakings, while at the same
time maintaining patience and an esteem for humble beginnings.
Women, you do know how to make truth sweet, tender and
accessible, make it your task to bring the spirit of this
council into institutions, schools, homes and daily life.
Women of the entire universe, whether Christian or
non-believing, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave
moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the
world.
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