Meditation Book to liberate your mind
Digest this classic and free your mind for ever! In 28 daily meditations John Wijngaards documents ALL past and present Church prejudices levelled against women. He shows how each goes against the mind of Christ. The book also contains chapters by female scholars from around the world who report on continuing Church suppression of women in their countries. They are Dr Carmelita Usog (Philippines), Dr Deirdre Carabine (East Africa), Dr Kochurani Abraham (India), Dr Debra Meyers (USA), Dr Marie Opatrná (Czech Republic), Dr Marilu Salazar (Mexico), Dr Olga Consuelo (Colombia) and Dr Teresa Okure (Nigeria).
by John Wijngaards, Acadian House Publishing, Lafayette, Louisiana, 208 pages.
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ENDORSEMENTS
“The question is whether or not God/Jesus wants anything to do with women as fully human and intelligent beings–like everybody else who came out of the Garden of Eden. John Wijngaards, a scholar of language and women’s studies, has just released the book that will enable all of us to trace the answer for ourselves from the earliest scriptures to the synodal renewal of the church today. I am really excited about it and I think you will be, too. Get it, read it one paragraph at a time together, become a real part of the answer and teachings yourself. The text is readable, easy to understand, a real spiritual gift of growth to us all.”
Sr Dr Joan Chittister OSB, President (em.) of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious USA
“If ever a book was needed and just in time, this is it. John Wijngaards painstakingly demolishes the bogus misogynistic theology, biases and attitudes which maintain the Catholic Church’s deeply embedded culture of subordination of women. The divine nature of gender equality is laid out here and it lays bare the profound need to reform the dysfunctional, outdated Magisterial teaching now crippling the Church and causing the haemorrhaging of membership. The contemporary tidal wave of despair can yet be stemmed if only this book is taken seriously- very seriously- right now. Let the Synod of Bishops and Papal synodal process take note. It is now in the last chance saloon.” Prof Mary McAleese, President of Ireland 1997-2011, Chancellor of Trinity College Dublin.
“John Wijngaards makes an important contribution in getting equal dignity, respect and space for women in the Church through these twenty-eight meditations. They will help not only women to recognize themselves equal in dignity and worth and to liberate themselves from internalized patriarchal values but also help those men who continue to believe and uphold the status quo of male superiority in the Church. The themes chosen are very pertinent. They explore the multiple prejudices which hold women on the margins of the Church. Each meditation explores the root of a particular prejudice and explodes it with sound biblical teaching. It is my sincere hope that many women and men, especially religious women, will use these meditations to empower themselves and to help others to have a change of mindset.” Sr Prof Shalini Mulackal, PBVM, Prof (em.) Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi; Chair (em.) of the Centre for Dalit Studies, Delhi; President (em.) of the Indian Theological Association
“It is easy to affirm there is a deep legacy of patriarchy in Christianity – that prejudice against women, and suspicion of their sexuality, are deeply rooted in myriad ways. But the task is not just to identify this, but change it. Change ourselves, our vision, our ways. This is the practical aim of this course of meditations. It is a course of therapy for our dysfunctional church.”
Prof Thomas O’Loughlin, University of Nottingham, UK
“This book is more than just a theological treatise; it is a fascinating collection of meditations on the equality of women and men, both as human beings and as Christians. It deals with women’s experience of God in love, their unique charisms, and their calling to special ministries. Each of the twenty-eight meditations start with a particular prejudice about women followed by a very accessible historical-critical reading of Scripture texts, and ending with questions designed to affirm women and to provoke thought in men. Wijngaards has provided us with a great source of materials to guide Christian communities in their ongoing discernment on how women can more incisively participate in church leadership and decision-making. A truly must-read book for everyone interested in the role of women in the church!” Prof Agnes Brazal, Prof De la Salle University, Manila; President (em.) of the Catholic Theological Society of the Philippines and of the Ecclesia of Women in Asia
“I strongly endorse this book. The Roman Catholic Church suffers from its medieval prejudice against women as ordained ministers and against married men as priests. Reforms that would end the shortage of vocations among both men and women are needed now. We hope that the current celibate clergy will recognize historical truth and the reforms the faithful need. Without these changes, I anticipate a continued shrinkage of the number of the faithful in the Church, especially among young women. This book, by urging demands through the system of synods, will inspire the reforms that are needed.” Prof David Stronck, Prof (em.) California State University.
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