Women in the Contemporary Church The status of women within the Catholic Church is often considered a controversial topic. In particular, the position of women in the contemporary Roman Catholic Church is an interesting notion to consider. Considering the role of women in the Roman Catholic Church today, this essay will analyze the trends and difficulties affecting women and describe the necessary steps to take to advance towards equality. Additionally, the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church will be cited. In concluding this essay, it will be obvious that the challenge in the contemporary Roman Catholic Church is to claim a legitimate status for women by recognizing their value as equal members of their community. There are many different roles that women in the Catholic Church play today. . The roles they take on vary, from working in the parish office to teaching religious education. Many parishes have nuns or religious women who work as pastoral associates, helping with many spiritual or pastoral tasks. Catholic women can be readers of the Mass, lay people who help the priest to distribute Holy Communion, and parishioners to administer the Eucharist. Sister Maureen says women are portrayed as mothers, carers, they are the glue that holds things together, you can see this in everyday life where women hold everything together, keep it moving. Also in an interview with Estelle Graham this topic is elaborated when she says, “women also have a different way of thinking, as we have more of a maternal instinct that can help more people.” It is also evident in Paul's New Testament epistle to Titus that women are the teachers and this epistle contains instructions regarding Titus's need... middle of the paper... for others.' (www.opw.catholic.org) Self-giving is a characteristic of the human race as a whole, and it is a characteristic that women embody in the gift of self and care for others. Although women in the Catholic Church play a number of important roles within their religious community, there are issues of equality still present. For example, women cannot be ordained or even vote in the election of a new Pope. By enforcing equality, every person will be satisfied and the risk of people rebelling against the Church will be minimized. Furthermore, giving women even more roles will positively change the thinking of other Christian denominations. It is evident that there are equality issues in the status of women in the Catholic Church, and it is of great importance that they are able to advance as members of the Christian community.