Pope Benedict XVI Links Women's Equality to Peace

From Zenit.org:

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 12, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI warns that peace becomes a mirage when the dignity of woman is not fully respected.

The papal warning is included in the message for the World Day of Peace, to be observed Jan. 1. The day's theme, "The Human Person, Heart of Peace," addresses the challenge posed by the equality of nature of all people.

"Insufficient consideration of the feminine condition also causes factors of instability in the social order," states the message.

In particular, the Pope mentions "the exploitation of women treated as objects and in so many ways of lack of respect to their dignity."

In particular, the Holy Father unmasks the persistent conceptions in some cultures "which still assign to woman a role of great submission to the discretion of the man, with consequences offensive to her dignity of person and [the] exercise of the fundamental liberties."

"One must not fall into the illusion that peace is assured while these forms of discrimination are not also overcome," he notes. Such forms "lacerate the personal dignity inscribed by the Creator in every human being."

This is good news for women's advocates worldwide. However, it still waits to be seen how Pope Benedict will reconcile this with the Church's position on women's ordination, et. al. Unfortunately, I'm a cynic, so I'm not holding my breath.

H/T: Women's Ordination Conference