Seoul (Fides Service) - The Church stands to benefit from more involvement of women in pastoral decision making and activity. This was said by the Committee for Women which is part of the Commission for Lay Apostolate of the Korean Bishops’ Conference after concluding a recent survey.
The Committee for Women interviewed about 1,000 people, priests, men and women religious and lay people asking for their opinion on the actual place of women in Church life and activity and how the special gifts of women can be allowed to bear fruit in the Church.
In its report the Committee said that those interviewed agreed that women are very dedicated to apostolate but remain marginalised in the decision-making process in the Church. They also underlined the importance of formation programmes for women .
According to the report there is a need to promote equality of women and eliminate gender discrimination in the Church and in society; there should be an expansion of participation of women in decision making and improvement of general awareness of the equality of men and women. Respondents answered that the process of decision-making in parishes, development of leadership are the areas in which women are most subject to discrimination, On the contrary in parish liturgical life, associations and events the uniqueness of the female genius is recognised and allowed to bear fruit. They also suggested in some more sensitive fields, the Church would benefit from structures exclusively directed by women
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/9/2004 lines 24 words 235)