Lack of understanding and disapproval
Pope’s dictum on the role of women is badly received
September 29, 2024, 12:25 a.m
The Pope makes a small digression on the role of women in a speech during his visit to Belgium. Their job is care, devotion and acceptance. These clichés even make heads shake at a Catholic university.
Pope Francis’ comments on the role of women at a Belgian university have been met with great displeasure. “UC Louvain expresses its incomprehension and disapproval of the position expressed by Pope Francis regarding the role of women in the Church and in society,” said the Catholic university in Louvain-la-Neuve, Wallonia. All people should be able to develop at university and in society, regardless of their origin, gender or sexual orientation, it said. The church should follow the same path.
The pontiff gave a speech at the university on the occasion of the 600th anniversary. In it he said: “Woman is fertile reception, care, living devotion.” It is ugly when a woman wants to become a man. “The woman is a woman and that is important.”
Rector: Men can also take care
“UC Louvain can only express its disagreement with this deterministic and reductive position,” the university said afterwards. Rector Françoise Smets said it is a fact that men can also take care of the family. “Women should be able to take on responsibility outside of caring.”
Back in March, Francis described “gender ideology” as the “ugliest” danger of today. It eliminates the differences and makes everything the same, said the head of the Catholic Church at an audience. “To abolish differences means to abolish humanity.” However, husband and wife are in a “fruitful tension,” the pontiff continued.
Pope Francis is in Belgium until Sunday. Thousands cheered him in Louvain-La-Neuve as they had the day before in the Flemish Lion. The end of his stay, which lasts several days, is a mass in one stage; almost 40,000 believers are expected.
