Sep 28, 2009 / 21:01 pm
Addressing the more than 40,000 faithful gathered outside the cathedral for a Mass honoring Our Lady of Mercy, the patroness of the archdiocese, Archbishop Luis Villalba of Tucuman in Argentina said the Church defends the dignity of women and denounces attacks against them.
Speaking in his homily, the archbishop explained that the Virgin Mary “is the archetype of authentic feminine promotion” as well as “the new beginning of the dignity and vocation … of each and every woman.”
He went on to say that “woman, as man, is made in the image of God,” but that “equality of dignity does not mean being identical to man. This would only impoverish woman and all of society by losing the unique richness and values that are proper to femininity.”
“The Church works for the strengthening of the dignity and appreciation of women,” and strives to bring women out of the “situations of marginalization in which they may find themselves, educating them for their mission on the ecclesial community and in the world. The Church works to promote ways to ensure a decent life for women, especially those in difficult situations: women who are separated, single mothers, women in prostitution,” he said.