Is "in persona Christi" the main reason for the exclusive ordination of men?

[John_Augustine]

Dear Apologists,

As far as I understand, Catholicism teaches that women may not be priests, because a priest acts in the image of the (male) Christ.

Galatians 3:27, however, suggests that all the baptised are “baptised into Christ” and “clothed” in Christ.

Catholics believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, in which the baptised is incorporated into Christ, adopted by the Father, and by union with the Son of God is renewed in his image. This is surely true regardless of gender, age, class, race etc.

With this in mind, is it right to say that women cannot act “in persona Christi capitis”?

Alternatively, might I be wrong in my understanding of the Catholic Church’s ban on female priests? Although the theology of the person of Christ expressed above has been given to me by many Catholics to justify the exclusion of women from the sacred priesthood, an alternative reason is that Christ chose only male Apostles.

Which of these is the Church’s theological reason?

With respect, could you please reply directly to my questions, rather than posting links to other articles. I want to avoid ambiguity and any opportunity for my misunderstanding of the Catholic truth!

Many thanks,

John Augustine

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

This is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches on the matter: “’ Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination (Canon 1024).’ The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the collage of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ’s return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.” ( # 1577)

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.