Archbishop: Christianity stands first in promoting women's dignity

Published: 2003-10-21

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Christianity stands first in promoting women's dignity, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver told a national gathering of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Oct. 19. "No movement, ideology, political party or institution anywhere, in any country, can match the Christian faith in promoting the dignity of women," he said. Speaking at a national celebration of the Daughters' 100th anniversary, held at The Catholic University of America in Washington, Archbishop Chaput warned against embracing a "secular feminism" that he said is based on "our culture of selfishness." The archbishop said, "People who criticize the church for not ordaining women to the priesthood ignore her record of promoting the dignity of women. They also misunderstand the nature of the church herself, the sacramental nature of the priesthood and the Christian understanding of equality based on different but complementary gifts from God."

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