What will save us?
A Metanoia

Planting 24 million trees. For three years, each year, an oak, a magnolia, a cherry, or a chestnut for each of the women who are part of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations. “We are eight million, in over 50 countries”, says Mónica Santamarina Noriega, who has been leading this organization since May 2023. It was founded in 1910 and was recognized by the Holy See as a public international association of the faithful in 2006. The organization participates in the Laudato si’ Movement and the “trees” project is part of the attention to integral ecology shared by the hundred or so Catholic women’s institutions affiliated with UMOFC. 

This is one of the many campaigns that the president, a woman with a suitcase —who travels traveling between Mexico City, Rome, and the four continents — has been carrying out among organizations that are often very different from each other. They are mainly made up of laywomen, some of whom are consecrated, who work in ecclesial, social, and cultural spheres. They have a variety of projects; for example, night adoration, wells for water in the desert, international organizations, training for indigenous women in America, Africa, and Australia, courses against abuse and domestic violence in Africa and Latin America. They are networked with civil realities, ecumenical groups, and other religions. The goal is to do “advocacy and create a network based on sisterhood, shared work, and collaboration”.

Mónica Santamarina, 65 years old, is a widow. “My husband died during the pandemic. We had two sons and two daughters. Currently, we have eight grandchildren, but the ninth is on the way. We are a very close family; it is a blessing”. In the past, she worked as a legal consultant and teacher and served as an advisor at the National Institute of Women in Mexico. She has always been a member of Catholic Action women and was its president from 1996 to 2001. She has been the vice president of UMOFC, then treasurer, and is now the president. “I have always worked with women. I dream that UMOFC can represent the majority of Catholic women in the world and work for the evangelization and integral development of women, especially the most vulnerable”, says the president as she prepares to leave Rome to return to Mexico City and embrace her ninth granddaughter, Luisa, the daughter of Sofia, her youngest child.

In anticipation of the Synod in October, UMOFC organized a school of synodality to deepen women’s participation in the life of the Church. What has come out of it?

The synodal journey toward fuller participation and inclusion in the Church has been appreciated. Women are confident that this may be the right path for the Church to recognize their charisms. The most important convergence has been on the need for greater training for women, allowing them to take on significant roles in the Church and assume leadership at various levels, in decision-making positions. To achieve this, we need a metanoia, a change of heart, from priests and bishops, but also from laity, both men and women.

Can you give us examples of the necessary changes? 

It primarily means greater humility. And then, not being afraid. Sometimes priests and bishops prefer to keep us at a distance, but we are here and want to be heard so that we can contribute our gifts, talents, and experiences, as well as participate in the decision-making process. In short, it’s not just about saying: “Yes, yes, come, I’ll give you a place on the pastoral council”. We need to genuinely change, to understand that women are precious: we want to work with them, not against them, not fight for their places. It is incredible that sometimes decisions are made only by men when almost all the people who go to church, who fill the parishes, who teach catechism, and who live with the most vulnerable are women. Much has been accomplished, thanks also to Pope Francis, but there is still much to be done. It is necessary to plan, to invest time and money.

Is there a female clericalism that hinders change? 

Yes, some women are clerical. They find it difficult to accept that the priest, who accompanies associative realities, is the one who makes decisions. Then there’s the issue of mothers who often raise their sons differently than their daughters. In my Country, there are still places where families, if only one child can study, choose the male, even if the girl is more brilliant.

Many women, at least in the West, have left the Church because they feel it is distant. What should the Church do to be “attractive” to young people as well? 

In some regions of the world, we are losing Catholics every day, particularly young people I believe we have not been able to be attractive because we are not flexible; women have different timings, they work, they have to take care of children. Young people need testimonies. The problem of child abuse has taken a lot from the Church. Many young people needed guidance, but that guidance has been lost along the way, with the crisis of families and the Church. I advocate for the UMOFC to have very young people and to know how to communicate in the right language. We need to talk about their problems, about what truly affects them. And finally, I believe the Church has forgotten to work with men.

Forgotten Men? 

Yes, in some regions of the world, there are men who struggle to accept change. In Latin American Countries, as well as elsewhere, violence has increased since women started working. Men seem angry. They have not accepted that women have the same rights and dignity. We need to work a lot with both women and men, together. If we don’t do it together, we will not succeed.

What other actions do you believe should be prioritized to empower women?

I have met many women who wanted to study theology at good universities but were unable to obtain scholarships. As a result, they had to give up, which left them hurt and unrecovered. We have great women, outstanding religious figures, and theologians who should have the same opportunities as men. There is a significant need for training, yet the Church, at various levels, does not invest resources, money, and time to educate women. When it comes to men, especially priests, there are no issues.

Can you give examples?

For women, there is no school for diplomats; only men can attend diplomatic training at the Vatican. I believe that women would excel in these roles. As a lawyer, I am always struck by the fact that while women can participate in ecclesiastical courts, laypeople cannot preside over a court. In Mexico, women work extensively and preside over family courts; they have more experience with marital life, child-rearing, and related issues. Why aren’t they trained and allowed to take these roles? Why only priests? Once trained, both women and laymen would be more competent.

What else would you think of to empower women in the Church?

I believe the Church should train women for specific ministries—not ordained ministries, but ministries focused on social justice and service to women and children. These roles would be essential for protecting individuals from domestic violence, human trafficking, and all forms of abuse. We have many painful experiences related to this issue. I have worked with women and girls who have been victims for many years. However, we need to create a special ministry and prepare women for these responsibilities.

Regarding the ministry, what has emerged from the survey on the diaconate?

From the survey, one-third expressed support for it, while two-thirds were opposed. The key issue is that there is a distinction between diaconal services and the ordained ministry of deacons, but people are not aware of this. Women are already performing many diaconal services in places like the U.S and Australia, where there is only one priest available over a wide area, and priests may only be able to visit once every two weeks.

Are you in favor of female priesthood?

No. I am not a theologian. I trust in what the Church has deemed appropriate up until now.

What do you expect from the Synod?

The most important aspect of the synod and synodality is not the issues being discussed, but rather the manner in which these issues are approached. It is a starting point for learning a different way of being Church. I hope for the promotion of synodality not only at the international level but also within dioceses and parishes. The concrete proposals in the Instrumentum Laboris for the second session of the Synod give us hope because they aim to enrich ecclesial life with the charisms and competencies of women in response to the pastoral needs of our time. This is why we, as the UMOFC, promote the synodal method and train facilitators, as we firmly believe in this new path for the People of God.

by Vittoria Prisciandaro
Journalist for “Credere” and “Jesus” -  San Paolo Periodicals