Australian Bishop Proposes New Female Vocation

WAHROONGA, Australia, JUNE 2, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The bishop of the Diocese of Broken Bay has proposed a new vocation for women who wish to consecrate themselves to the pastoral care of the local Church.

Bishop David Walker said in a message that it is a "new vocation in the Church," which must not be interpreted "in the light of other vocations, such as religious life, diaconate or priesthood. It is to be defined in its own terms."

A bishop, he said, is "free to establish other structures and means to assist him in his pastoral mission."

Bishop Walker, 67, continued: "As bishop of Broken Bay, I am intending to create a new means to help me with my pastoral care of the diocese.

"I plan to provide an opportunity for a new vocation for women within the diocese. I will offer women an opportunity to be more deeply involved in the life and leadership of the diocese. I plan to form a group of ecclesial women who will share with me the pastoral care of the people of Broken Bay Diocese."

Feminine genius

Bishop Walker said that Benedict XVI, "following the teaching of Pope John Paul II, has emphasized the importance of the role of women in the Church."

John Paul II "spoke of the 'feminine genius' and its importance within the Church," Bishop Walker said.

According to the Australian prelate, the new vocational opportunity for women "is a positive action to recognize and include this 'feminine genius' in the life and leadership of the Catholic community."

The bishop said the vocation is open to single women, "who are practicing their faith, feel the need to be more involved in their local Church, and want to embody it in a consecrated way of life," adding that "[a]s there is a great diversity of ministries in the diocese, a great diversity of women might apply."

"This vocation involves a celibate life," Bishop Walker said. "Celibacy is not just giving up marriage, but a positive commitment to the Lord, which is to be expressed in service to others."

Those interested in such a vocation would make an initial one-year commitment, followed by a three-year commitment; this would be a time of "basic formation and education."

Then a five-year commitment would be made at the end of which "a woman may choose to make a commitment for life," the bishop explained.

Regardless of their particular ministry, the women would be consecrated persons "who have made a commitment to minister in the diocese. Their ministry would be an expression of the consecration," said Bishop Walker.

The prelate has made the initiative public to promote discussion and to draw responses from those who are interested. He added: "All can help with this project by praying for it."