Can I attend an Episcopal ordination for a woman?

[TommyWommy]

I (a Catholic) have been invited to the ordination of a former classmate. She is being ordained a priest in the Episcopal church. I’m wondering if I should view this as an opportunity to be “ecumenical” and supportive to a friend, or if this would be an inappropriate event for me to attend. I sometimes struggle with knowing when and where to draw a line when it comes to my Protestant friends. I want to be a loving friend and strive for Christian unity, but I also don’t want to send a message that I believe their Protestant ways are just as valid as the Catholic ways. I believe they need to come home to the fullness of the Catholic Church. I had some Protestant friends come to my convalidation ceremony. It was nice having them there.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

There are two problems here: One, Episcopal ordinations are, in and of themselves, invalid. And, two, the person to be “ordained” in this case is a woman. So, not only could your presence indicate a belief in the validity of Episcopal orders but it could also indicate a belief that women can be ordained to the priesthood, and both of those ideas are counter to your own faith as a Catholic. That your Protestant friends attended the convalidation of your marriage is not an adequate analogy because you were participating in a valid sacrament.

While it is nice to support non-Catholic Christian friends in the reception of valid sacraments – which is why there is nothing inherently wrong with a Catholic attending Protestant baptisms and marriages – a Catholic should avoid giving the impression of approval for invalid sacraments. That is why I cannot recommend that you attend your friend’s Episcopal ordination. To maintain the friendship and demonstrate good will, you could write her a letter expressing your affection for her and assuring her of your prayers.