Editorial

On August 15, we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Perhaps it was the proximity to that feast that prompted the release of Vatican document on the collaboration of women and men in the church and the world on July 31.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued the letter to the bishops of the Catholic Church. However, the letter is readily available on the Vatican Web site at www.vatican.va and may be accessed from the Links Page on our Catholic Herald site at www.madisoncatholicherald.org

Collaboration between the sexes. The letter speaks of "active collaboration between the sexes" and affirms the role of women in the church is not "a passivity inspired by an outdated conception of femininity." The document offers a Christian criticism of two current trends: that of emphasizing a "radical rivalry between the sexes" and that of trying to "cancel the differences between the sexes."

Instead, the Vatican reaffirms that men and women were created with differences in order to enter into a partnership and a relationship of self-giving that would bring new life into the world. Men and women should no longer see their differences in terms of rivalry and opposition, but in terms of harmony and collaboration.

I like the word "collaboration." It comes from the Latin word collaborare, meaning "to labor together." Webster's dictionary defines collaborate as "to work jointly with others or together, especially in an intellectual endeavor."

The Vatican is saying that women and men should work together as collaborators. It emphasizes that women and men are distinct from each other, but equal in the eyes of God:

"From the first moment of their creation, man and woman are distinct, and will remain so for all eternity. Placed within Christ's Paschal mystery, they no longer see their difference as a source of discord to be overcome by denial or eradication, but rather as the possibility for collaboration, to be cultivated with mutual respect for their difference."

Role in society and church. The document adds: "From here, new perspectives open up for a deeper understanding of the dignity of women and their role in human society and in the Church."

Another section says that "one understands the irreplaceable role of women in all aspects of family and social life involving human relationships and caring for others." This is what Pope John Paul II has called "the genius of women."

Besides women's roles in the family, the document says that women "should be present in the world of work and in the organization of society, and that women should have access to positions of responsibility which allow them to inspire the policies of nations and to promote innovative solutions to economic and social problems."

Contrary to some negative press reports (I wonder if they read the actual document!?), it is obvious that the Vatican has affirmed the important role of women in both the church and society.

Impetus for dialogue. The Vatican letter encourages continued dialogue on these issues: "These reflections are meant as a starting point for further examination in the Church, as well as an impetus for dialogue with all men and women of good will, in a sincere search for the truth and in a common commitment to the development of ever more authentic relationships."

I welcome this thoughtful letter on the collaboration of women and men in the church and world. I encourage people to read and reflect prayerfully on this document. Then, discuss it within your family and your parish. It would be an excellent topic for an adult discussion group.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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More benefits from adult
stem cells

To the editor:

In articles and speeches about embryonic stem-cell research in the secular media, proponents of embryonic stem-cell research have not admitted that not one patient has yet to benefit from embryonic stem-cell research. Furthermore, the proponents of embryonic stem-cell research have not admitted that "the cell lines developed by taking the inner cell mass from embryos have been prone to cause cancerous tumors or be rejected by the immune system in animal tests."

In contrast many human patients have benefited from research involving adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are derived from sources such as bone marrow and the umbilical cords of newborn babies. Statistics show that adult stem cells have helped to alleviate conditions such as spinal cord injury, heart disease, sickle-cell anemia, and leukemia.

Proponents of embryonic stem-cell research strongly supported by pro-abortion groups persist in promoting embryonic stem-cell research while debunking the progress in adult stem-cell research.

Charles J. Sippel, Waterloo

Prayer, penance are the solution

To the editor:

When you see on television people pushing drugs on street corners and think of the harm being done, when you consider the millions of babies being constantly killed in their mothers' womb, or when you watch artillery shells fall on the innocent people and houses, you would wonder what you can do to stop these atrocities.

Can you go to the clinics to argue with the abortionists? Can you go to the streets of the big cities to fight the drug dealers? Can you climb to the mountains to talk to the military commanders? Hardly possible. What can you do?

The defeat and elimination of these deeply rooted, widely-spread, and incredibly strong evil forces truly defy merely human efforts. We must seek assistance from higher and superhuman sources.

God will do something, if we fervently pray and sincerely offer petitions. He will change the present sinful aspects of our society by changing people's hearts. He will cleanse us through his divine grace. He will bring his kingdom of love, peace, harmony, and joy among us to replace corruption and evil. The solution to our horrendous situation is therefore prayer and penance, especially Holy Hours before the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Fr. Jacob Vadakkekudy, Brodhead