Working for gender justice saves lives

GREAT JOB! THANK YOU!

I am so very grateful to you, Joan, for your forceful and clear words regarding this crime that is never mentioned and has not even begun to be addressed by either the churches or governments.

Wonderful essay. I am sending it around to as many as I can.

Wisdom Sophia, the Holy Spirit--our long-overlooked female counsel of the Trinity-- must be diligently sought. When females are part of the mix, bold resolutions will be found.

Sister Joan, I applaud all you do in focusing the world on gender equality. Gender equality is about balance, fairness and not power or one-upmanship or even manipulation. Please do not give up the fight for women's equality and rights around the globe. You are a much needed public voice for those who can not speak or even dream of women having equal rights and control of their own being. Thank you S. Joan for your prophet voice in a world often blinded to what is really happening. Peace, Kerrie

Not to mention the women in the employ of the Church even in civilized, non warring countries who have yet to receive living wages and equality in the realm of vocations!

Interesting but so sadly ture article. Never heard man (the Head) and women (the neck) categorized in such a way before.
Love YOu,
Mom

Joan,

Sometimes the arts can touch people in a way that statistics and news reports don't. In Ashland, OR where I live, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is hosting this play all season. It is touching many lives in a deep way. I wanted you to know of it.

"Ruined," Lynn Nottage's 2009 Pulitzer Prize winner, shines a harsh light on the plight of women in East Africa, where rape has been employed as a terrorist tactic in ongoing armed conflicts among ever-fracturing alignments of nations and rebel militias. The play's West Coast premiere in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's New Theatre opened March 27, and its emotional force is almost overwhelming. It has moments of humor, warmth and tenderness, lively music, dancing that channels both raw sexuality and a very desperate love of life. But it also has recurring tensions that ratchet to nearly unbearable levels, and speaks of the horrors of war and sexual slavery in wrenching terms.

It's a scathing critique of the self-righteous hypocrisies of men and militarism, and for all its disturbing descriptions, the most chilling, grisly words of all may be when a commander says simply, "I've given my soldiers the liberty to control the situation."

Bravo, Sister Joan! Well said. . ..and well defended. Too bad many many men will not take your words seriously. Too bad also pastors will not talk about this issue, the horrors women suffer at the hands of men today being used like sex-toys, nor will they add this critical issue to the prayer intercessions. "People might be scandalized!" And well they should be. Did you ever read of Jesus "making nice-nice"?

We honor and speak about the atrocities of the Holocaust. Is there are real difference in the atrocities of today? I think not. And yet noble persons will be upset by this comparison, just as noble people were loudly upset by the comparison of the gay rights struggle to the Civil Rights issue.

Why cannot there be "liberty and justice for all"?

And, Sister Joan, may you enjoy the love and courage, energy and good health for many years yet! We learn slowly. . .we need seasoned teachers!

"And churches seldom, if ever, even refer to sex crimes as a dimension of war, despite their non-stop railings and condemnations of extramarital sex, birth control pills and condoms, let alone abortion. What's wrong with this picture?"

This seems a bit unfair. The author is trying to equate 2 very different modern moral dilemmas and the Church's response to them:

On one hand you have terrible sexual war crimes (namely rape) which western culture pretty much unanimously rejects as immoral (even though I'm sure not enough is being done to stop it by all) and ...

On the other hand you have moral wrongs (abortion/fornication/artificial contraception/...) that western culture is beginning to embrace as morally neutral or even morally good.

I would expect the Church to have 2 very different responses to these 2 issues and I wouldn't compare the two as the author has.

Joan,

The only thing I can add to your article is,
thank you so much!

I wanted to stand up and cheer after reading this column! Well said...on so many different levels. I teach a high school violence prevention class in which young women AND young men learn to speak their truth, and to speak out against injustice. The subtitle of the course is "Creating Cultures of Dignity". It's just a beginning, but we must begin somewhere. I will be sharing your article...

You are right on and so on target! We are all equal but it doesn't play out that way. From church to corporate America to exploitation in the media to the horrors you so honestly describe. Thank you, Sr. Joan, for your courage to be not only the head and neck but certainly the gut and heart of equality for all sacred beings.

The non-trivial atrocities mentioned in this article make my neck hurt, Sr. Joan.

We have a God who loves us. When we experience that love, we want to share it with our fellow or sister human beings. When we do this, we are not manipulating anyone for selfish outcomes, but truly showing others how wonderful a non zero sum world can be.
We can be more effective doing this, by attending conferences like the one you went to, and getting encouragement to be direct in our loving, our talking, our writing, our protesting. Love is constant, even when human beings are not. Let our constancy, our loving, grow like a mustard seed. Let us study war no more.
Now I want everyone of you to write a letter to President Obama, telling how necessary it is for our government to regulate Wallstreet. We can't change the behavior of the sociopaths, but we can stop their bad practices by making them against the law, and fining them if they break the law. Win/win.

"WHAT CAN ONE DO?"

"One can interact with the Obama administration via the President's much-vaunted new media contact opportunities:
by website, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/;
by phone, call (202) 456-1111;
by postal mail, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500;
by fax: 202-456-2461.

It is ALWAYS a good idea to repeat contacts with your congressional and senate representatives. Their contact information for your state and district can be found online by going to: http://www.congress.org/ and http://www.senate.gov

Establishing regular contact AS A SPIRITUAL PRAYER DISCIPLINE seems to me a very good way to achieve an economy of effort that is both pragmatic and reflective. "

Above "What Can One Do?" suggestion by Dr. Elaine McCoy Phd.

Not only is this situation a tragedy and completely unjustified, but it is even more deplorable when some try to use theology in a manner that would tolerate it.

It's such a huge crushing issue, a feel overwhelmed and don;'t know where to start....

Right on Joan!!!

The 'head and neck' metaphor sounds like the definition of dysfunction — a manipulative Herodias and Salōmē 'strategy',   using feminine wiles in a 'dance of the seven veils' upon an ego-consumed empty-headed ruler.     It's not very flattering to either gender,   nor is it a good foundation for any relationship.     Geeze!

Right on Sister Joan. You have hit the nail right on the head.

You're absolutely right, Sister. Also you'll notice that most people who condemn abortion say very little about war, and even support most of them.

The problem with modern feminism is that a lot of young girls catch onto it and take it be precisely what it isn't--a desire for dominance. They attempt to behave like alphamales when that whole mentality is the problem feminism purports to solve. Until that particular misconception and extremism is solved, men and women will never live harmoniously.

Sister Chittister is a living saint! I am so thankful for her and her words of wisdom. To know that a woman of her ilk is working for women who are brutalized around the globe is reassuring-----I would like to be able to do more, I would like some ideas.

Bravo Sr. Joan! Thanks for saying this. But this is nothing new. There has long been an attitude among comfortably settled women that they are well served by a society that rewards them for passive support of male dominence, no matter what the cost to less fortunate women.
And of course, the male dominent Catholic hierarchy are far more interested in promoting those actions which subjugate women (railing against birth controk, abortion, and comdoms) than the abuses of their male brothers (be they lay or cleric), than in condeming male sins of rape, wife abuse, or frequenting prostitutes, or abandoning their women and children victims.
Keep up the good work, Sr. Joan, proclaiming the message.

Bravo Sr. Joan! Thanks for saying this. But this is nothing new. There has long been an attitude among comfortably settled women that they are well served by a society that rewards them for passive support of male dominence, no matter what the cost to less fortunate women.
And of course, the male dominent Catholic hierarchy are far more interested in promoting those actions which subjugate women (railing against birth controk, abortion, and comdoms) than the abuses of their male brothers (be they lay or cleric), than in condeming male sins of rape, wife abuse, or frequenting prostitutes, or abandoning their women and children victims.
Keep up the good work, Sr. Joan, proclaiming the message.

You are right that it is certainly not a waste to work against the injustice of rape as a weapon of war. However, I would agree with the writer in that it is a waste to work against the Church as far as women's issues are concerned. It is no secret that you are a proponent of women's ordination. It is an issue which is OVER. And it is absolutely a waste of time because, thank God, it will not change.

I highly doubt that the woman who wrote to you was referring to women being raped by soldiers in war when she said you were wasting your time. Most likely she was referring to the ridiculous nature of the constant whining about women priests and women's place in the Church. While I disagree with her image and agree that it is not ideal for men or women, I agree that women need to be women and men need to be men. Women cannot be men, and men cannot be women. We are equal but different!

I actually find it quite offensive as a religious woman when I read the things that you write saying that women like myself are mistreated by the Church. I love the Church and I think that I am treated just fine! You can have your view but don't speak for me.

Sister Marie

I've heard it said that if you educate a man, you educate one person: but if you educate a woman, you educate her entire family, present and future." There is so much truth in this. It's too bad that we still have this "man is the head" mentality. (By the way "the man is the head, woman is the neck and she can turn him" quote is from the movie "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding")

You are a star, Sister Joan. I am grateful my mother introduced me to your columns. Thanks for turning a throw away comment about necks and heads into something more important.

I agree with all you said.

If the subserviant women do not want to stand up for their totured sisters - then they should step aside.

Anne Burgess
annelb@smartchat.net.au

How sad that someone could think that working for gender justice is a waste of your life. Justice is really finding a rough road these days. We can't find justice for victims of clergy sexual abuse and institutional coverups and the work done at your conference gets little or no mainstream attention from the press. Christ described the Church as the Body of which we are all a part and not one part was to be considered more important than another. I pray for the work of the participants at the International Gender Justice Dialogue and will search for an active way to support the cause of gender justice.

And what about the 50 million lives lost in the United States in the name of "gender justice"?

Amen, Sr. Joan, amen. And we must never forget that the horrible treatment of women in war zones are but a step on the slippery slope continuum that has, at its apex, men and sometimes women, telling women what they can be, what they can do with their own bodies, and what they can do with their lives.

When a woman is told that it is unseemly for her to aspire to lead in a sacramental role, or that the decision-makers should be (male) clergy, or to keep her place in any one of a number of aggressive ways it is simply a more 'civilized' version of the use of her body as political chattel. Oh, it may be said with steepled fingers and furrowed brow, and in an oh-so-pious tone that cites scripture or canon law.

But it is really no different.

*Lovely* Simply "spot on".

Those who find much needed solace in this column and in all of the Reverend Sister Joan Chittister OSB's writings (please see The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully, the Tent of Abraham, the new Uncommon Gratitude: Alleluia for All That Is with Rowan Williams, etc.) rush now to acquire our copy of her latest publication to be released May Day (the whole world's Labor Day, and thus the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker), entitled:

The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century (Spiritual Legacy Series)

with ISBN #978-0824525941

One place where there IS gender justice is in the womb. There, the MOST innocent lives of males and females are equally slaughtered. I assure you, there will be no peace in the WORLD until there is peace in the WOMB.

" I would like some ideas." I suggest you read "Half The Sky" by Kristof and WuDunn. There are many helpful suggestions for action in this very well written and informative book.

"Whining" simply doesn't apply to Sister Joan. It isn't in her vocabulary. Righteous indignation--perhaps. Concern, certainly. Compassion, unquestionably. Charity, above all. As well as the wisdom and grace to speak out against injustice--that's Sister Joan. She's special. She speaks truth and she speaks for the many who have no voice. We're blessed to have her. As a true advocate of the church, her words aim to heal what is wrong, mend what is broken, illumine what is dark.

Nearly everyone can agree that rape is wrong and those who commit it should be held accountable--whether it's in a war zone or in the parish sacristy. But accountability is not enough--we want change--we want to change the hearts and minds of men (and women) so that rape will become unthinkable. We want to change the conditions that enable rape--we want to end war and we want to end a male priesthood. It's one in the same, in the sense that we want gender justice or more fundamentally, justice for all or at least respect.

If women are equal, then make them equal; it's time to open the doors. It's time for women priests. The church scandal, specifically the harboring of pedophiles, is a wakeup call. It's an opportunity for the church to acknowledge that a male priesthood has failed; that it has led to the rape of the most vulnerable and helpless--our children. It's nearly an unforgivable sin that sends chills down the spine zero to the bone. Only the addition of women in the priesthood, at this point, can heal the church. Until then, I'm boycotting the church, refusing to attend a church whose patriarchal structure fosters inequality, disrespect, and even criminal activity. I'll pray for the enlightenment of its leaders. And thank God for Sister Joan and the Benedictine nuns of Erie who dare to question and dissent.

Is the charism of your order gender justice? If you want to make your life work battling for equal pay and work conditions for female workers perhaps your true vocation was to be a lay person in the union movement or the Law?
It would be intersting to hear you write of the charism of your order and the vision of church service of your founder.

"In our generation, women's very bodies have been turned into instruments of war"
Such a striking phrase and I would go one step further Reverend Sister women's bodies have become the killing fields with thousands upon thousands slaughtered by the act of abortion. Abortion has been one of the "victories" the feminist sisterhood has prided itself on achieving.
Have you spoken out against this shameful fact to your feminist sisters or have you enabled them to futher their culture of death?

Wonderful article. Thank you for your work. I heard the "Head" "Neck" theory....in a movie years ago..called
My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The wife and daughter, totally controlled by the very Greek husband, imagine they have some say in their lives by manipulating him. Maybe the writer is Greek and has felt this control....or maybe she gets her theories of life from Hollywood movies.

I first heard about the "Head""Neck" theory from a movie years ago...called My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The husband controlled the family...so the daughter and wife gave the illusion of some independence by "manipulating" the very Greek man. She quoted that head/neck statement word for word from the movie. Perhaps that writer is Greek and has experienced such control...or perhaps she gets her philosophies of life from watching Hollywood movies.
Wonderful article. Thank you for your work!

Joan:

Given how many women kill their unborn babies, I don't think they merit leadership roles.

Maybe you could plan a National "time-out" from abortions?

That wouldn't be a waste of your life on this Earth.

Bye!

Joan:

Given how many women kill their unborn babies, I don't think they merit leadership roles.

Maybe you could plan a National "time-out" from abortions?

That wouldn't be a waste of your life on this Earth.

Bye!

Dear Joan,

With your journeys around the world you share with us through your writings so much of what is important. This article is just another gift you give us -keeping us informed and aware of what is often covered up in the world of women.
You are an inspiration. It helps to keep the fires burning in the area of "Gender Justice".

With Love and Gratitude!

Marie Olwell,ssj

Where do you stand: I agree with every word you write. I remember a cigarette ad, many years ago, depicting a woman happily puffing on a cigarette and the slogan:"You've come a long way,baby". Just as we later found out the deadly consequences of smoking, we are seeing the deadly consequences of "freedom" gone amok in the killing of our own babies in the womb. When freedom has gone this far, we have not come a long way, we have just gone too far.

Excellent essay!

The crux of the matter is that for the majoriy of the women of the world they are seen as the property of men which engenders the act of rape in order to emmasculate men. Over and above this is the culture, throughout the world, East and West, Developed and Developing, that children belong to their parents when, in fact, they are the responsibility of their parents and belong to themselves and God.

Much is said to me about the figures for Domestic Abuse in my country where 1 in 4 women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime and 1 in 6 men will experience the same. The argument I hear is that violence is a 'human' problem not a gendered one. What is missing from the statistics is that the violence men often experience is in self defense from the woman he has just struck and more importantly, women are more likely to be murdered than men. Men perceive violence from a women as less of a threat than a woman from a man precisely because the man is physically capable of doing serious physical damage and murder. It is the case that men suffer at the hands of women but the majority (95%) suffering the effects of violence in my country (UK) are women and children.

As for how much it costs the neck and the head to feed, cloth and house themselves being the same, I beg to differ. The burden of care for children and elderly relatives fall on women and they are the ones working all hours to support their families while men are free to take temselves off and create new families with women who they taken in with their charm and plausibility and ensnare. These men move from woman to woman creating new families to abuse and it's the women who pick up the pieces and it's the women who are looked down on as single mothers and (in the eyes of our 'Christian' societies), failures.

Any woman in the privilaged position of living in safety and security, raising their children with the support of a balanced husband could give over one minute of their time to imagining walking one mile in the shoes of tortured and abused women. If they do they can only call these women Heros and Saints!

Thank you, Sister. This is a powerful condemnation of all the vile attitudes and grotesque distortions that are war.

Your article is also an important reminder that, to eliminate violence, we must change things at the roots. Traditional male-female role assignments may appear to some to be cute or right or traditional or even ordained by God. But these things start the process of distortion and they damage and lessen all of us.

So, yes, it is important to ordain women priests, and as general policy. That is one of the roots.

Dear Sister Joan,
Thank you so much for your courage, your compassion, your wisdom, and your faith. I hear you speak and sense the powerful spirit behind your words, and I have met you when you were not at the microphone, and I know you are gentle and kind and very interested in what others who have no voice have to say, and how you can help them say it.
So, keep doing what you are doing, keep speaking truth to power.
We need you, voices like yours, spirits like yours.
Peace,
Kathy

For a different take on the role of women and especially women in the Church read Kathryn Jean Lopez's interview of Sister Mary Prudence Allen in the National Review Online entitled "Nun Sense: Women in the Catholic Church".

Joan mixes apples and oranges again.

Are we really expected to beleive that the woman who wrote to her about the head and neck image really meant to convey that as the neck, that women are supposed to be complacent, and this has a connection to the rapes of multitudes of women? oh, puleez!

Joan, I laud your continuing struggle for gender equality. So many of us, including my twin sister (Joy) and I have been fighting this since we first made a pack with each other back in high school in the 60's that we would not become any of the 5 'jobs' open to women at that time. We had no idea what we would be doing, but we knew even then there was more for women. I am so sick of hearing how women who 'have a man' do not want to take responsibility for their own lives, define themselves and not let anyone, especially a man, define them. When certain men stop feeding into the patriarchal construct of our society and stop trying to tell women who they are what they ought to be; then pogress will be made and much of what causes war and rape will stop.

When women like your letter-writer know that we are fighting for mutuality, honest and authentic communication and healthy self-esteem for all; not to 'exchange' roles in a another 'power-over' struggle, then maybe she'll understand that each of us need to have both head and neck on our own terms, our own Imago Dei/Anima Dei before real dialogue of the genders can start and be listened to. This is not just both/and, but both/and/all; for all God's people -- our humanity.

Joan,
When my twin sister & I were in high school in the 60's we vowed to each other then and there that we would not do any of the 5 'jobs' open to women at that time because we felt called to something else. We did not know what that might be; but we knew then that women were capable of more11 WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR GENDER EQUALITY EVER SINCE!!
When people realize that they cannot define each other, that we define ourselves and sho we are; then power over will stop.
When women as your letter writer realize that we all have heads and necks and that we need both for our own empowerment, self-esteem and authentic realization of our Imago Dei/Anima Dei as God wants for us, as Paul wants for our gifts to be discerned and our potential reached; that this is both/and/all for each and every one of us; then our partiarchal societal construct will dissolve and we will all live as mutual equals; taking responsibiity for our wn actions instead of trading ourselves short in a co-dependent dance of irresponsibility.
Joan, keep on talking, writing, because many of us 'get it' and we hear you loud and clear.

Sexism is a pain in the neck.

Sr. Joan you are absolutely right. Thank God people are finally looking at rape as torture and a war crime. Perhaps women will be regarded as people with human rights one day.

Thank you, Joan for your powerful and challenging words!
srannieosf