Mixed Messages

I agree that the Church does send mixed messages about the role of women within the Church. For example, it honors notable females with sainthood and reveres Mary the Mother of God as on of the greatest religious figures of the Church. However, it also constantly emphasizes Mary's virginity and praises virginal innocence while encouraging women to marry, have children, and support the domestic household. I personally have always been frustrated by the title "Blessed Virgin Mary" because it implies that a woman's sexuality is inherently dirty or sinful. Although the Church has progressed significantly, it still upholds many of the teachings of the old Church fathers. St. Jerome, for example, is frequently quoted even though he was a blatant misogynist and is even suspected to have removed women from scripture passages when he provided translations.. In addition, the Churches places restrictions on the ways in which women can participate in the liturgy, namely by barring them from ordination. While our roles in the liturgy have expanded to include altar servers, lectors, and cantors, we still are forbidden from inhabiting the pinnacle position of celebrant. Consequently, all of the Church authority is solely in the hands of males. The leading Church delegations are comprised entirely of priests, meaning that only men can decide matters of faith.