Pope Francis
continued his catechesis on the family by dedicating the 15 April 2015 General Audience to the difference and
complementarity between man and woman, recalling first of all that the Book of
Genesis insists that both are the image and semblance of God. “Not only man as
such, not only woman as such, but rather man and woman, as a couple, are the
image of God. The difference between them is not a question of contrast or
subordination, but instead of communion and generation, always in the image and
semblance of God”.
“Experience
teaches us that for the human being to know him- or herself well and to grow
harmoniously, there is a need for reciprocity between man and woman”, said our
Holy Father. “We are made to listen to each other and to help each other…. Without
mutual enrichment in this relationship – in terms of thought and action, in
personal relationships and in work, and also in faith – the two cannot even
fully understand what it means to be a man and a woman”.
“Modern and
contemporary culture has opened up new spaces, new freedoms and new depths for
the enrichment and understanding of this difference. But it has also introduced
many doubts and much scepticism. I wonder, for example, if so-called gender
theory is not an expression of frustration and resignation, that aims to cancel
out sexual difference as it is no longer able to face it. Yes, we run the risk
of taking step backwards. Indeed, the removal of difference is the problem, not
the solution. To solve their problems in relating to each other, men and women
must instead speak more, listen more, know each other better, value each other
more. They must treat each other with respect and cooperate in friendship. With
these human bases, supported by God's grace, it is possible to plan a lifelong
matrimonial and family union. The marriage and family bond is a serious matter
for all, not only for believers. I would like to encourage intellectuals not to
ignore this theme, as if it were secondary to our efforts to promote a freer
and more just society”.
“Undoubtedly we
must do far more in favour of women, if we want to strengthen to the
reciprocity between men and women. Indeed, it is necessary for a woman not only
to be listened to, but also for her voice to carry real weight, recognised
authority, in society and in the Church. The way in which Jesus Himself
regarded women, in a context that was far less favourable than our own, casts a
powerful light illuminating a road that takes us far, on which we have
travelled only a short distance. It is a road we must travel with more
creativity and boldness”.
He added, “a
second point relates to the theme of man and woman created in God's image. I
wonder if the crisis of collective trust in God, that is so harmful to us, that
causes us to ail with resignation to incredulity and cynicism, is not also
connected to the crisis in the alliance between man and woman. In effect, the
biblical account, with the great symbolic fresco of earthly paradise and
original sin, tells us precisely that communion with God is reflected in the
communion of the human couple, and the loss of trust in the heavenly Father
generates division and conflict between man and woman”.
“This leads to
the great responsibility of the Church, of all believers, and above all of
Christian families, to rediscover the beauty of the Creator's plan that
inscribes the image of God also in the alliance between man and woman. The
earth is filled with harmony and trust when the alliance between man and woman
is lived well. And if men and women seek this together between them and with
God, without doubt they will find it. Jesus explicitly encourages us to bear
witness to this beauty, which is the image of God”, concluded the Pontiff.
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