A New Approach

[NewPerspective]

I have been stirring up some dispute amongst the forum regulars and by no means did so with intent to offend, but with one to accost a situation that from what i can see, i did not know a lot about. Im sorry everyone for the loosely based accusations that i threw out there that were, in essence, based on what I thought was factual. With a softer approach i hope to get some thorough answers. Is that Ok?

Can women have spiritual authority in the Catholic Church?

 

[Alexius]

It depends what you mean by “spiritual authority.” If you mean female priests and bishops, then no. But if you mean leading Bible studies and certain other ministries, then I say yes.

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius

 

[puzzleannie]

I
Can women have spiritual authority in the Catholic Church?

since any woman even a consecrated religious is by definition a layperson, she can have no authority except that delegated by the bishop, and that only such authority as is permitted to lay persons under canon law.
examples would be
administration of a Catholic institutions such as a religious order, school, college, hospital, charitable group etc.
director of a parish ministry or diocesan office
catechetical leader

in these capacities she, like any layman, fulfills her duty ecclesially, that with the mind of the Church as directed by her bishop and assumes no authority outside her delegation

 

[swariffin]

I have been stirring up some dispute amongst the forum regulars and by no means did so with intent to offend, but with one to accost a situation that from what i can see, i did not know a lot about. Im sorry everyone for the loosely based accusations that i threw out there that were, in essence, based on what I thought was factual. With a softer approach i hope to get some thorough answers. Is that Ok?

Can women have spiritual authority in the Catholic Church?

If you mean by highly venerated, yes. The highest venerated woman is Mary. We believe in Mary’s Immaculata, Asumpta, Co-Mediatrix, Co-redemptrix, not meaning another independent mediator/redemptor beside Jesus, though. The popes, especially JPII, ask for her help a lot.

 

[dosdog]

I have been stirring up some dispute amongst the forum regulars and by no means did so with intent to offend, but with one to accost a situation that from what i can see, i did not know a lot about. Im sorry everyone for the loosely based accusations that i threw out there that were, in essence, based on what I thought was factual. With a softer approach i hope to get some thorough answers. Is that Ok?

Can women have spiritual authority in the Catholic Church?

St. Teresa of Avila Doctor of the Church
catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=208
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0292.html

 

[FCEGM]

St. Teresa of Avila Doctor of the Church
catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=208
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0292.html

And St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church:

catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=9

 

[ralphinal]

I commend you for trying a new approach and for feeling that it was needed. I was never offended by you or your approach, but it is very Christ-like to take the softer aproach instead of being always confrontational.

If you mean can a woman be a priest, bishop, or pope, no they may not.

If you mean cana woman teach the faith, contribute to the understanding of the faith, or be a great example and spiritual figure, yes. Read the links about the femal doctors of the Church.

 

[FCEGM]

. . .

Can women have spiritual authority in the Catholic Church?

This, from the great St. John Chrysostom, well expresses the spiritual authority women can have:

“In virtue, women are often enough the instructors of men; while the latter wander about like jackdaws in dust and smoke, the former soar like eagles into higher spheres,” In epistulum ad Ephesios, hom. 13:4

 

[Ravyn_Guiliani]

St. Faustina, Apostle of the Divine Mercy

St, Veronica Giuliani, Abbess

many more…

you know I do not ‘get’ why a woman would even want to be a priest or a pope…and it is not so unusual for this position to be male only—there is no historical evidence that the Druids had female priestesses (no matter what modern neo-pagans like to claim.) Mithraism was definitely a male religion. Spirituality has always been more instinctive and loosely organized for women than for men. What’s the big deal? Men have always found ways to suppress women–why should religion be any different? (and I am NOT saying that all religion suppresses women! I am not in the slightlest bit suppressed—just that men so inclined do not need to look far for the tool.) I would never trade my feminine power for masculine power.

 

[De_Maria]

I have been stirring up some dispute amongst the forum regulars and by no means did so with intent to offend, but with one to accost a situation that from what i can see, i did not know a lot about. Im sorry everyone for the loosely based accusations that i threw out there that were, in essence, based on what I thought was factual. With a softer approach i hope to get some thorough answers. Is that Ok?

yes

Can women have spiritual authority in the Catholic Church?

yes, only as permitted by the Bishop. This is in accordance with Scripture which says:

1 Corinthians 11
5 But every woman praying or prophesying with her head not covered, disgraceth her head: for it is all one as if she were shaven.

Therefore a woman is permitted to pray or prophecy in the Church.

However, they aren’t permitted to give lessons during the Mass. In accordance to St. Paul’s instructions:

1 Timothy 2
11 Let the woman learn in silence, with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence.

I hope that helps.

Sincerely,

De Maria