This from Catholic World News:The commandant of the Swiss Guard, Colonel Daniel Anrig, has indicated that he could be open to allowing women to enter the 500-year-old Vatican force. To date the Swiss Guard has been open only to Swiss Catholic men between the ages of 19 and 30. Colonel Anrig said that he could see problems with allowing women recruits, such as the shortage of housing, but "every problem can be resolved." The commandant made his remarks on May 6 as the Swiss Guard conducted its annual swearing-in ceremonies for 32 new members.
Ok, so there are no sacramental or moral reasons why women couldn't become members of the Swiss Guard. But does every tradition have to be maimed? Can't there just be some "guy things?" The Swiss Guard has a fascinating and venerable history. Can't we just leave it at that? Not everything is a barrier to be breached. Some things should just be left as they are because that's what makes them what they are.
9 comments:
For the edification of all Catholics, I've written an entry which explains a little bit of that "fascinating and venerable history". You might like it.
Pontificia Cohors Helvetica: 503 years of the Pontifical Swiss Guard--James G.
As a Catholic woman, I totally agree. Leave the Swiss Guard as is!
I agree with Clare.
A woman dressed in that elegant swi\ guard uniform would look like a fashion model doing a parody of a swiss guard...Remember years and years ago when the actress Eva Gardner moved to Spain and dressed as a priest...same thing...
As a woman and a Catholic, I'm not for women priests or swiss guards.Leave those special things for the men.
The Holy Father needs to ask the good colonel for his resignation. End of problem.
Gary
I am a vet and a grad of VMI from when it integrated with women.
I think this is a bad idea on a number of levels.
Also, I would like to see an academic discussion on the morality of women in combat/military. I know Ratzinger wrote that women should not take jobs that are contrary to their dignity. Is warfare and close quarters with men against the dignity of women?
I know the uniforms were designed by Michaelangelo, but, goodness, are they intended to make the enemy laugh themselves into surrendering?
I understand the feeling, but so far, that's all it seems to be: a feeling. The reasons are going to have to be more logical than "maiming"(!?) tradition or "Can't there just be some guy things?" Especially if you aren't completely against women in any part of the military... how do you decide which parts they "should" and "shouldn't" participate in (besides whether they can actually perform the job well)?
This is not the priesthood, and it's not the Navy SEALS or Air Force Combat Rescue.
Assume they are able to select by abilities and performance alone, and some of the top performers happen to be female. Are there really good reasons for those top performers to be eliminated for no other reason than their gender, and replaced with people who would not have been selected otherwise?
all due respect,
"But does every tradition have to be maimed? Can't there just be some "guy things?"
I see no problem with a female (if she desires it and is called to it) fulfilling this role. After all the Church has quite a few "Guys-only roles" already.
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