84
deed, a woman, Mary, is more important than the
bishops. Even when the function of ministerial
priesthood is considered âhierarchicalâ, it must
be remembered that âit is totally ordered to the
holiness of Christâs membersâ.
75
Its key and axis
is not power understood as domination, but the
power to administer the sacrament of the Eucha-
rist; this is the origin of its authority, which is al-
ways a service to Godâs people. This presents a
great challenge for pastors and theologians, who
are in a position to recognize more fully what
this entails with regard to the possible role of
women in decision-making in different areas of
the Churchâs life.
105.âYouth ministry, as traditionally organized,
has also suffered the impact of social changes.
Young people often fail to find responses to their
concerns, needs, problems and hurts in the usual
structures. As adults, we find it hard to listen
patiently to them, to appreciate their concerns
and demands, and to speak to them in a language
they can understand. For the same reason, our
efforts in the field of education do not produce
the results expected. The rise and growth of as-
sociations and movements mostly made up of
young people can be seen as the work of the
Holy Spirit, who blazes new trails to meet their
expectations and their search for a deep spirit-
uality and a more real sense of belonging. There
75
âJ
ohn
P
aul
II, Apostolic Letter
Mulieris Dignitatem
(15
August 1988), 27: AAS 80 (1988), 1718.
