NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II today received the abbesses of the Cistercian order, and encouraged them to continue their mission within the Church.

      The Pope cited his own 1988 apostolic letter On the Dignity of Women, and said that cloistered women religious have an opportunity to live out the feminine principle in its fullness. At a time when the world is going through a period of confusion and change, he cited the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, saying that "women full of the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to help humanity, and cannot decline to do so."

      The Holy Father's remarks are especially significant in light of the ever increasing rebellion within the Church by women who are not cooperating with the Church as reported by Religion Today.

      Roman Catholic communion services led by women are becoming more widespread. The practice had taken place in small groups and private homes as it was debated whether such ceremonies were actually Christian Eucharists, The Washington Post said. A recent hardening by the Vatican against the possibility of women priests has drawn more women to the gatherings, which are now held in public places such as Protestant churches and a women's shelter. The women, mostly in their 40s and 50s, do not accept the Church hierarchy's position that only ordained men can ask Christ to be present in the Eucharist.