Fear Not

by Sue Rakoczy · May 20, 2011

In this Easter season, when the Scripture texts tell us of how frightened the disciples were behind locked doors, the Risen Christ comes to reassure them “to fear not”.

So I have been reflecting on some of the manifestations of fear in the church. In April, St Joseph’s Theological Institute where I teach hosted Adam Walton from the UK who was doing research on gender at the Institute. In his feedback at a public lecture he remarked how much fear he had heard from students (maybe staff?) about gender issues. The very word “gender” is so emotive that students react with fear and anger.

At our Gender Committee meeting this week, we discussed some of the reasons for such fear. One student said that it is because some students equate “gender” with the ordination of women. Now, why would these young men be so afraid of the issue of women’s ordination? They will be ordained, while women continue to wait. And given the priest shortage here and around the world, the idea that God is calling women to ordination should bring a sigh of relief that ministry can be shared.

Fear is also obvious in Pope Benedict’s removal of Bishop Charles Morris of Australia who in a Pastoral Letter in 2006, after enumerating the few numbers of priests in his diocese (and their ages), stated that he would be open to ordaining married women and men if the Church so decided.

Why does the Pope fear discussion of this issue? Why have the avenues of discussion been sealed off? Does he and other Vatican officials fear women as women? Do they fear to lose the male power that defines the priesthood?