Will the church change? I honestly don't know

Catholic New Times, April 24, 2005 by Joanna Manning

I take the position that whether or not the church changes is in the hands of the Holy Spirit. Those in power are certainly capable of closing their ears to the Spirit, as has been abundantly demonstrated in their reaction to the sexual abuse crisis.

The Catholic church still has a great deal of power in some parts of the world and its impact on the lives of many women is negative and even dangerous. I have experienced this at first hand in Africa, especially now with the AIDS crisis. So for the sake of my sisters (and brothers too?) everywhere, especially the poorest ones, I have to remain faithful to the call to bear witness to the truth that is within me, and be a voice that keeps on calling the church to conversion even if it remains deaf to that call. It is a call to be faithful but not necessarily successful.

--Joanna Manning, Toronto writer