The Theology Department of the Ateneo De Manila University has recently been the talk of the town after announcing it will host a Women’s Mass every Friday of March as part of the department’s active participation in the celebration of National Women’s Month.
In a Facebook post, the Women’s Mass, which is organized in collaboration with the university’s Office of Campus Ministry and the University Gender Development Office, aims to “create a sacred space where women’s voices, prayers, and reflections are centered in the liturgical celebration.”
“These Eucharistic celebrations affirm women’s deep faith, struggles, and contributions, taking a step toward a more inclusive and just faith community,” the post read.
Its first Women’s Mass was held on March 7 where it was joined by queer theologian Dr. Kristine Meneses who served as a guest sharer.
These Eucharistic celebrations, however, ignited discourse among people on social media. Some expressed their dismay at the Theology Department for naming it “Women’s Mass” and for including a queer theologian as a guest speaker. Others have also accused the department of trying to be “woke” as they appeared to promote and impose their “socio-political ideologies” on other people.
Meanwhile, many social media users defended the ADMU Theology Department, saying that the Mass doesn’t exclude people, particularly men, and calling other people “hypocritical.”
As of this writing, the university’s Theology Department has yet to release a comment on the criticism the event received.
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