God intends men and women to have different roles in the Church, the family, and society. Men are meant to have roles of teaching, leadership, and authority over other men and over groups that include men, women, and children. Women may have authority over other women and over children. Men are intended by God, when necessary due to the sinfulness and violence in this world, to be soldiers who defend their nation and who defend what is good against what is evil. In a society that is well-ordered according to God's will, there would be no women soldiers.

Now God called Joan of Arc to a role in the military, even to lead the men of the army of France. But He did so as an exception, because of the disorder in a sinful world. Such is the case also with Deborah. She was leader in order to put to shame the men who were not taking their proper roles. So also, this may be the case with you and some other women in the military. In a society in perfect order according to God's will, there would not be women in the military. Because of the disorder in society, women are permitted by God to enter military service as this improves an otherwise worse situation. But it is not the best situation either. I believe that some women are called, and others are permitted, by God to enter military service. But only because, in a disorderly society, it improves an otherwise worse situation.

As another example. In general, God does not want a woman to be president. Men and women are intended by God to have different roles in society, the family, and the Church. Men are intended to be leaders over groups of men, women, and children. But God sometimes makes an exception, as the All Knowing and All Mighty may do, because allowing one imperfect situation may have greater advantages than disadvantages. Hillary Clinton will be U.S. President, under God's Providence, but for the sake of the unborn, not because God wants women to lead men. She will be President by the time of the Warning in April of 2009, and she will change her mind about abortion and become pro-life. Her role as president is part of God's plan to lead those who most strongly support abortion to conversion. She can speak to them more effectively than an older male conservative could.


written by Ronald L. Conte Jr.
in response to questions and objections from a Catholic woman serving with distinction in the U.S. Army Reserves