Consecrated virgins - why only females?

[tseleehw]

Another fun fact that I haven’t seen brought up yet: with the new Vatican guidelines that were just released, consecrated virgins are no longer required to be virgins. Also did you know - the Blessed Virgin Mary would be ineligible to be a consecrated virgin.

<i>Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago</i> punts on one problem, fixes a second, but greatly worsens a third

Now, according to the plain terms of ESI, the Blessed Virgin Mary would not be eligible for admission to the order of virgins, but Mary Magdalene would be eligible.

www.catholicworldreport.com

You just can’t make up this stuff.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Yes but the Virgin Mary would be a consecrated widow

Such inaccurate sensational and false reporting. Hasn’t the reporter ever heard of consecrated widows. They have been around as long as consecrated virgins.

 

[Anicette]

@Bruised_Reed,
@Susanne T,

Thanks you for your understanding. And sorry for not replying sooner.

This conversation is not off topic, because of others newers posts on the subject and the new guidline.

And what was leading to confusion is the term quotes in the document above is the term “lived in open violation of chastity”.
Because apparent public chastity don’t equal virginity. If it is hidden, so acceptable?

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I’m not sure I’m answering what your are asking, but…

And what was leading to confusion is the term quotes in the document above is the term “lived in open violation of chastity”.

This basically refers to living with a partner without benefit of marriage. There are probably other things too but wouldn’t know how to discuss it without being crass.

Because apparent public chastity don’t equal virginity.

Yes, if I understand you correctly.

If it is hidden, so acceptable?

If the unchaste behavior is hidden? What I think they mean is that a one-time encounter now wouldn’t exclude a candidate.

I think there are a lot of women who have sex once and then make a conscious decision to wait for marriage; I know there are many women who have had illicit sex many times and then make a conscious decision to wait until marriage. The number of women who are attracted to living as a consecrated virgin is far smaller than those who want marriage and family, so the number of non-virgins attracted to being a CV will be a small number. But for those who desire it, it is important. These women aren’t ones who scoffed at being a virgin…but I think that is why I’m struggling with the changes. Why wasn’t being a virgin always important to them?

The Church has made a decision and, yes, I’m questioning it. There is a very good chance that what I’ve read so far does a poor job explaining the changes. One article seemed to have barely contained snark that it might have skewed my understanding. I want to read sources which have no opinion, no emotion; I want just facts and or reason to process to better understand. Then I might be able to better respond to your questions, too.