In a homily during Mass in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 8, Bishop Jaime Soto addressed the current social climate surrounding sexual harassment. “This is not a time to lecture, but it is an opportunity to learn how to regard one another in the world of work, as well as the many other social settings of which we are a part,” he said.
“Daily are the new revelations about the harassment of women in the workplace by men in power in Hollywood, the Silicon Valley, Washington and the halls of the state Capitol. A pervasive culture belittled women for personal gain and cloaked it under business as usual. The muffled and muted pain has now broken through the wall of sadly acceptable conventions. Women are bringing forth their stories. These account resonate with many other women and men throughout the work world who have felt the shame of someone imposing upon them their position, influence or power. Before, they felt pressured to let go of their dignity, believing there was too much else to lose. Now they bring the pain and the shame to light to free themselves from the complicity of silence and reclaim their own power. Hopefully others will be freed from the fear of workplace harassment. Better that they are free to do their best and to be their best as God created us to be.”
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is the solemn celebration of belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Noting the feast, the bishop said “the images and theology around this mystery of our faith may seem like a far cry from the daily news of accusations and resignations. We should not be too quick to discount what faith can bring to light.”
“The whole human race has gained from Mary’s cooperation with the Holy Spirit,” the bishop said. “An exalted dignity bestowed on all humanity from her share in the work of her Son is reason for us to acclaim along with her, ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.’
“We all have something at stake in each human person, woman and man, finding one’s way to live for the glory of God. We all thrive when when the dignity of each one is respected and nurtured. This can only be cultivated in a climate of freedom and respect. These two social dimensions complement one another. The best exercise of our freedom should always be at the service of another’s dignity.”
To read the complete text of Bishop Soto’s homily, view the PDF below.
From Diocese of Sacramento.
The bishop is, of course, quite right. Would that (many) women begin to not “belittle” themselves. A start would be leaving the yoga pants at home.
Yes, I agree. A corollary of the saying “What would Jesus do?” is “What would Mary wear?”
It doesn’t help things the way many women dress…….even at Church !!
You are right. There needs to be a sane middle ground in between burquas and face veils and showing too much. We should dress attractively, but with dignity. The same for men. It does not have to be expensive and can even be good second-hand clothing. Many shops sell the overstock from more expensive stores much cheaper.
I am so tired of holier-than-thou paragons of virtue in the Congress and elsewhere dredging up sins of others supposedly committed years ago.
How many men in their youth behaved inappropriately but eventually “grew up”, confessed their sins and went on to live exemplary lives? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
When Gloria Allred trots out her weeping victims, you know it’s political.The reality is, the new concern for morality is not about morality. It’s about getting Trump.
Barbara, its possible that either objective is appropriate. Trump is the poster boy for the non-christian acting person, wouldn’t you agree?
Sounds like Bob One is setting the bar a little high trying to identify himself with President Trump.
The “Mary” of our present age is a Kardashian. You sorta missed that critical point Bishop in addressing the objectification of women.”
And “take their power?” Is this not what was offered in the Garden?
In blowing with the political breeze, #BishopFail
Interesting the Bishop did not mention the Church’s history and responsibility with regards to the male hierarchy’s negative treatment of women. Many religious sisters were treated poorly and abusively by priests.
… while Ralph sat back and did nothing.
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Where were all these crusaders eager to protect damsels [of both sexes] in distress BEFORE Trump was elected? So many of them now going public for the first time knew all about Weinstein, Spacey, Moore, Charlie Rose, Tavis Smiley, Conyers, Bill Clinton and his enabling wife, et. al., for years and years. These latter-day saints [NOT referring to the LDS] covered for them; palled around with them; had them frequently in their own homes; accepted large sums of money from them. The scumbags have other enablers, Gloria Allred for instance. But she’s always been an opportunist nonpareil. And she taught her daughter, Lisa Bloom, well. That “Bloom-ing” apple sure didn’t fall far from the tree. A pox on both their…
Barbara: yes! Change is possible. Melania converted to Catholicism!
What does one say of the many women who betrayed their sisters by cynically abetting bad male beahvior for personal or political advantage? Were any of the women who accused Bill Clinton on the recent TIME cover? Will Hillary have to resign anything for defending Bill all those years? How many pro-abortion politicians are kept in office by staff or voters who know of their “misbehavior” ?
If Bill had been tossed out of office 20 years ago, Trump would never have been a candidate because such behavior would have made him off-limits; and Hillary could never have run because the defense of such behavior would have banished her.
Women should be able to go to work, school, walk down the street, take a cab, go on a date and even be in their own homes without having to fear sexual assault or harassment.
Men, also.
People need to be better informed on how to handle a situation like that. The shock and surrealism of it can cause people to do nothing or even cooperate with it. Some times you try to handle it by giving them the benefit of the doubt. You always feel stupid. You think about how you could have handled it differently. You blame yourself. You never wear that outfit again. You hope he isn’t doing it to anyone else. None of these things are very effective. If you tell people, they usually wonder what you did to cause it or make excuses for it…
San Francisco hit by suit from ex-HRC staffer
https://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=67851 /react-text
A straight former employee at the San Francisco Human Rights Commission – Willis, an African American man, alleges that he faced discrimination based on (Hetero) sexual orientation and race, retaliation, defamation, and intentional interference with his contract.
HRC Executive Director Theresa Sparks (**Male Drag Queen masquerading as a Womyn**) and San Francisco Human Resources Director Micki Callahan are named individually as defendants
“consistent with her long-standing bias against heterosexual males, and African American heterosexual males in particular,”
&
SF mayor…
Did Hillary defend Bill? Or, rather, forgive his transgressions against her? I believe there is a difference.
Some men are pigs, and some women and wimps. Never has it been OK for men to do the things now coming to light through various media. Women who are too weak or scared to report or file charges have their share of guilt in these matters too. A real woman does not quietly hide in the shadows while a perpetrator continues his awful deeds. She fights, reports, prosecutes, sues, and is not bought off to be silent.
Ladies, when you allow men to be pigs, don’t be surprised by their appetites.
“She fights…”
Whatever happened to the sharp slap across the face?
But the bottom line is that if your father didn’t teach you to be a gentleman, all the preaching and commissions and politics in the world is unlikely to do it.
Or she’s told Jesus wants her to forgive.
So she can forgive, but using that as an excuse not to report crime is weak and wrong.
They say victim-blaming is an attempt to convince oneself that these things can’t happen to you. So if you are one of the 2% of women that these things have never happened to, say a prayer of thanks. And do some penance for your judging.
Anonymous at 11:15pm, you believe 98% of women are victims? Stop drinking the Kool-Aid, that is simply false. Of course harassment and assault and are wrong, but punishment and correction won’t happen if victims remain silent. That’s not judgement, that’s fact.
Ladies, when you allow All Men to be denounced as Pigs, and quietly hide in the shadows cast by the twysted systerhood; do not be surprised to find those same Men (under the enemy of my enemy is my ‘friend’ paradigm) align themselves with others opposed to pandering to the rank Misandry of said Rad-Fem Sows.
If all Men are Guilty Liars, and all Womyn Innocent Truthtellers – then why even bother with ‘debate’, when like the pathetic farce of Academentia – you can order Political Conformity to the Dominant Paradigm of MISANDRY as the sole Tenure & Matriculation track through this intellectual wasteland of pedantic leftist poseurs.