Jesuits and the Situation of Women in Church and Civil Society - Section 14 - Introduction, The Situation, The Church addresses the situation, The role and responsibility of Jesuits, Conversion, Appreciation

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Adam

Section 14 examines how Jesuits address the unjust treatment and exploitation of women within contemporary mission. It outlines male dominance expressed through discrimination in education, unequal family burdens, wage gaps, restricted leadership access, and violence including female circumcision, dowry deaths, and infanticide. It then highlights changes driven by women’s protest, the role of Church social teaching in promoting equality, and Scripture-based calls for structural transformation. Finally, it frames Jesuit responsibilities through conversion, accountability, and appreciation of women’s contributions to parishes, schools, and ministries.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

The Situation

The Church addresses the situation

The role and responsibility of Jesuits

Conversion

Appreciation

# 14.JESUITS AND THE SITUATION OF WOMENIN CHURCH AND CIVIL SOCIETY Introduction 361 1. General Congregation33made a brief mention of the "unjust treatment and exploitation of women."It was part of a list ofinjustices in a context of new needs and situations which Jesuits were called to address inthe implementation of our mission.We wish to consider this question more specifically and substantially onthis occasion.This is principally because,assisted by the general rise in consciousness concerning this issue,weare more aware than previously that it is indeed a central concern of any contemporary mission which seeks tointegrate faith and justice.It has a universal dimension in that it involves men and women everywhere.To anincreasing extent it cuts across barriers of class and culture.It is of personal concern to those who work withus in our mission,especially lay and religious women. # The Situation 362 2. The dominance of men in their relationship with women has found expression in many ways.It ha:included discrimination against women in educational opportunities,the disproportionate burden they arecalled upon to bear in family life,paying them a lesser wage for the same wotk,imiting their access to positionsof influence when admitted to public life and,sadly but only too frequently,outright violence against womenthemselves.In some parts of the world,this violence still includes female circumcision,dowry deaths and themurder of unwanted infant girls.Women are commonly treated as objects in advertising and in the media.Inextreme cases,for example in promoting international sex tourism,they are regarded as commodities to betrafficked. 363 3.This situation,however,has begun to change,chiefly because of the critical awakening and courageousprotest of women themselves.But many men,too,have joined women in rejecting attitudes which offendagainst the dignity of men and women alike.Nonetheless,we still have with us the legacy of systematicdiscrimination against women.It is embedded within the economic,social,political,religious and even linguisticstructures of our societies.It is often part of an even deeper cultural prejudice and stereotype.Many women,indeed,feel that men have been slow to recognize the full humanity of women.They often experience adefensive reaction from men when they draw attention to this blindness. 3644. The prejudice against women,to be sure,assumes different forms in different cultures.Sensitivity isneeded to avoid using any one,simple,measurement of what counts as discrimination.But it is nonetheless auniversal reality.Further,in many parts of the world,women already cruelly disadvantaged because of war,poverty,migration or race,often suffer a double disadvantage precisely because they are women.There is a"feminization of poverty"and a distinctive "feminine face of oppression." # The Church addresses the situation 365 5.Church social teaching,especially within the last ten years,has reacted strongly against this continuingdiscrimination and prejudice.PopeJohn Paul II in particular,has called upon all men and women of good wil,especially Catholics,to make the essential equality of women a lived reality.This is a genuine "sign of thetimes."2 We need to join with inter-church and interreligious groups in order to advance this socialtransformation. 366 6.Church teaching certainly promotes the role of women within the family,but it also stresses the needfor their contribution in the Church and in public life.It draws upon the text of Genesis,which speaks of menand women created in the image of God(Gn 1:27)and the prophetic praxis of Jesus in his relationship withwomen.These sources call us to change our attitudes and work for a change of structures.The original plan of God was for a loving relationship of respect,mutuality and equality between men and women,and we are calledto fulfil this plan.The tone of this ecclesial reflection on Scripture makes it clear that there is an urg

FAQs

What unjust treatment of women does the section highlight at the start of the discussion?

It notes “unjust treatment and exploitation of women” as part of a wider list of injustices tied to new needs that Jesuits are called to address in implementing their mission.

How does the document describe the main ways discrimination against women appears in daily life and society?

It describes discrimination in education, heavier burdens in family life, lower wages for the same work, limited access to influence in public life, and frequent violence against women, including practices such as female circumcision and dowry deaths in some regions.

What responsibilities does the section assign to Jesuits in responding to this situation?

It calls for personal and collective conversion, asking God for the grace of conversion, acknowledging Jesuit and clerical contributions to male domination, and committing to change. It also emphasizes appreciating women’s dedication and recognizing their crucial role in schools, parishes, and shared ministry.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Adam