Women in the Church in Asia are looking for a different, deeper type of recognition that bishops need to address, says a noted Asian theologian.
 
Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Imus, the Philippines, a member of the Office of Theological Concerns of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), spoke to UCA News during a May 12-16 meeting at the Redemptorist Centre in Pattaya, 100 kilometers southeast of Bangkok.
 
The meeting’s theme — “The Bishop: Harbinger of Hope (Bishops, Women, Gospel and Communion)” — was inspired by Pastores Gregis (shepherds of the flock), Pope John Paul II’s 2003 apostolic exhortation presenting the fruit of the 2001 Synod of Bishops assembly on episcopal ministry.
 
Thirteen women, 10 bishops and two priests attended the meeting organized by the Women’s Desk of the FABC Office of Laity and Family in cooperation with the Office of Theological Concerns. They came from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.
 
Bishop Tagle acknowledged that not all bishops are familiar with the type of theological and scriptural studies arising from the perspective of women, but he said they have a great openness to learn and be educated in a feminist approach to theology and biblical studies.
 
The interview follows:
 

UCA NEWS: What was the genesis of this meeting?
 
BISHOP LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE OF IMUS: This meeting was organized primarily to orient bishops theologically and pastorally on the situation of women in Asia. Secondly, it was to help us in our ministry according to Pastores Gregis. Pope John Paul II enumerated those who are being victimized in our contemporary world, and one of them — and probably the biggest group — is the group of women. The third (motivation) is for us, in collaboration with the other sectors in the Church, to act on this as part of our pastoral ministry and priorities. 
 

What do bishops need to learn about women?
 
First, we offer this seminar as an introduction to some bishops on what we call the feminist hermeneutics, the feminist method of doing theology, the feminist method in reading Scriptures, because while we are aware in our pastoral areas of the situation of women, not all bishops are familiar with the type of theological and scriptural studies that are arising from the women’s perspective. This meeting was a blending of an introduction to feminist methodology of theology while also an updating on the situation of women.
 

It seems few bishops are here. Only 10 came from three countries?
 
Yes. We are sad that a meeting of such importance got only 10 delegates (bishops) from three countries. In a way it was a blessing, because the group was not that big. The interaction with women theologians and scholars, both among Religious women and laywomen, became more familiar, more personal and more profound.
 

Do you think the feminist theme kept some people away?
 
I do not want to judge, but that is always a possibility. That is one of the factors that instruments the attendance or the number of people (laughs). 
 

Might another term besides ‘feminist’ make the subject clearer or easier to approach?
 
Yes, that issue came up here. We were told by one of the speakers, who herself is a professional theologian and educator, that there seems to be a trend — even among circles of women’s scholars — to look for another term. As movements progress or develop, some terms have acquired connotations, and when people hear those some of them are turned off right away. So has the word “feminism” generated some reactions from different circles. So, “womenist” theology, or lately women’s thought, women’s methodology, perspective, are employed in our days.
 
But I should tell you that although the group that gathered among the bishops was quite small, I noticed a great openness to learn and to be educated in a whole womenist approach to theology and biblical studies.
 

Is the Church in Asia still following the old patriarchal way? Or can one see some influence of women’s perspective?
 
The pronouncements and statements of the FABC since 15 years or so show an increasing awareness of the role of women and the place of women in the Church and in the mission of the Church. In terms of documents and statements, that is already there. I think what surfaced in this meeting was: Okay, while these elements are in the documents, have these been understood? Have they been understood in a manner that in a way pushes the Church to a certain internalization of this reality, and then moving into action, like pastoral change, because of this new awareness?
 
So, on the level of awareness, no doubt. But in terms of translating the awareness into pastoral life, ministries, participation of women in some commissions and councils in the Church, that is to be desired.
 

In what ways can bishops be ‘harbingers of hope’ for women, as the conference theme says?
 
What came up time and time again is (that) renewed appreciation of the full humanity of women and the Christian calling could enable bishops to be more compassionate and welcoming to the presence of women in the communities, especially those who are experiencing a lot of oppression in the homes, in the workplace. So the theological and scriptural understanding of women’s world should be translated into a quality of presence, the presence of a pastor who should be understanding, compassionate, listening and would also use his ministry as bishop to set up in the diocese some centers, offices for education and opportunities also for women.
 

Where does it go from here, this issue of bishops and women?
 
That is a good question. The way the FABC is operating, this could be followed up. Like next year, another colloquium. But for me, what is crucial for the delegates, even if we were very few, is to bring home with us the learning, maybe to encourage the local episcopal conferences to do something similar for all the bishops in the conferences, and maybe to encourage other bishops to attend in the future similar formation programs.
 

Would you agree with the claim that millions of women are not recognized in the Church?
 
From discussions that came up during this meeting, it seems that recognition in terms of seeing their (women’s) presence, their actions, their contribution to the Church, that type of recognition is there. It seems that some women’s groups are looking for a different, deeper type of recognition which is, for example, (women’s) more active role in some commissions that make decisions. It is not just a recognition of what they are able to do in basic communities, in liturgy, but especially in councils and commissions that somehow contribute to setting directions in parishes and also dioceses. 
 

But what about parishes, to which women already belong?
 
Yes, it came up here that there are not enough (women) represented in parish councils or pastoral councils. Those who are there are not always the active type of women. They are there but quite subservient. Numbers alone do not guarantee that the women’s perspective is represented.
 

How can this be changed or get a new momentum?
 
We can attack this from different fronts. One is real education of all. We noticed that pastors, priests and bishops really need education in the area of women’s concern. Women, maybe, should understand the burdens the bishops are carrying. We cannot respond to everything. We need mutual understanding, ongoing dialogue. In the end, theologically it is back to the ecclesiology of communion, where the different gifts come together, support one another for the common good.