Pope Francis reiterates a strong 'no' to women priests

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I was pleased and also annoyed to read this article today. Annoyed that basic questions are always asked and answered and then asked again. I was a tad dissapointed that he seemed to be saying. “Gee, my hands are tied because of one of my predecessors.” RAther than no, and a repudiation of the question.

I’m sure he knows the questions beforehand as do most heads of state.

 

[Edmundus1581]

I was a tad dissapointed that he seemed to be saying. “Gee, my hands are tied because of one of my predecessors.” RAther than no, and a repudiation of the question.

I didn’t read it that way. I think this better describes it.

The Pope was quite clear. His reference to the formulation used by St. John Paul is also critical. The issue is closed for all time.

I’m sure he knows the questions beforehand as do most heads of state.

Thanks! I’d never thought of that, with these plane interviews. Good point.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I think it is worth posting in this thread what was the question and what was the answer…

*Kristina Kappellin: Good morning. The Sweden that hosted this important ecumenical encounter has a woman as head of it’s own Church. What do you think: is it realistic to think of women priests also in the Catholic Church in the coming decades? And if not, why are Catholic priests afraid of competition?

Pope Francis: Reading the history a bit in the area where we were, I saw that there was a queen who was widowed three times. And I said: but, this woman is strong, and they told me: Swedish women are very strong, very good. And because of this some Swedish man looks for a woman from another nationality…I don’t know if it’s true, but…on the ordination of women in the Catholic Church, the final word is clear, it was said by St. John Paul II and this remains. On competition, I don’t know…*

The Holy Father’s opening remark is funny because, of course, the head of the Church of Sweden is not only for the first time a woman but she is the first non-Swede to be Archbishop in centuries…she is German and, if I remember, she is an alumna of where Joseph Ratzinger was once professor.

For those of us who know Ordinatio Sacerdotalis well, it expresses the situation and the Pope’s simple reference to it is not surprising.

 

[EIF5A]

I think it is worth posting in this thread what was the question and what was the answer…

Kristina Kappellin: Good morning. The Sweden that hosted this important ecumenical encounter has a woman as head of it’s own Church. What do you think: is it realistic to think of women priests also in the Catholic Church in the coming decades? And if not, why are Catholic priests afraid of competition?

Pope Francis: Reading the history a bit in the area where we were, I saw that there was a queen who was widowed three times. And I said: but, this woman is strong, and they told me: Swedish women are very strong, very good. And because of this some Swedish man looks for a woman from another nationality…I don’t know if it’s true, but…on the ordination of women in the Catholic Church, the final word is clear, it was said by St. John Paul II and this remains. On competition, I don’t know…

The Holy Father’s opening remark is funny because, of course, the head of the Church of Sweden is not only for the first time a woman but she is the first non-Swede to be Archbishop in centuries…she is German and, if I remember, she is an alumna of where Joseph Ratzinger was once professor.

For those of us who know Ordinatio Sacerdotalis well, it expresses the situation and the Pope’s simple reference to it is not surprising.

[bold added]

Competition as in non-Catholic priests or competition from women “priests”?

 

[Convert_in_99]

I was pleased and also annoyed to read this article today. Annoyed that basic questions are always asked and answered and then asked again. I was a tad dissapointed that he seemed to be saying. “Gee, my hands are tied because of one of my predecessors.” RAther than no, and a repudiation of the question.

I’m sure he knows the questions beforehand as do most heads of state.

Please don’t be upset with him. He’s done nothing wrong! :nope:

 

[adamhovey1988]

Wait…you mean the Pope IS CATHOLIC?!

 

[Don_Ruggero]

[bold added]

Competition as in non-Catholic priests or competition from women “priests”?

I would profess to be in the same boat as Pope Francis in trying to respond to the reporter.

'“I don’t know” is the best I could say…although, personally, I might have chosen to say “I don’t understand.”

I am not sure if she is speaking of a priest who is non-Catholic or a priest who is a woman.

Although the Pope, in his follow up remark, did go on to speak of the superiority of women. i compliment his astuteness in these interviews! i have come to look forward to them very much.

 

[abucs]

Thanks Memaw!

I’m actually female so was certainly making fun of myself too!

You can get away with it then.

Us men, after making such a remark would be tip-toeing towards Heaven in apprehension that Saint Ann or saint Agnes would be doing the gate duty that day. ")

 

[Rosebud77]

Yes. Worst gossips I’ve ever met are men.

Thank you for this… that post left me shocked and what an insutlt to women…

 

[Vouthon]

I am so very happy that the Holy Father said this.

Why? It sets straight those who would suggest that he is anything other than a champion of the one, true, orthodox faith. I hope, therefore, that those individuals will be guided to accept the wisdom of his other pronouncements as well, for instance in the economic area within the context of his social teaching and on the environment too.

Of course, it would be a grave rupture of our sacred tradition received from the apostles to admit women to priestly ordination. I have strong distaste for the media’s depiction of this as a “ban”. The Church is not ‘banning’ women. It does not posses the divinely given authority to do the thing that is asked, against the clear grain of the deposit of Faith on this matter.

The diaconate is a somewhat more complicated question. I do not presume to know the answer to this question as to whether female ordained deacons are possible. We shall know in time when the study that the Pope has commissioned is published.

 

[Convert_in_99]

You can get away with it then.

Us men, after making such a remark would be tip-toeing towards Heaven in apprehension that Saint Ann or saint Agnes would be doing the gate duty that day. ")

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I have great esteem for the academics that the Holy Father chose for the theological commission considering the issue of the diaconate.

They are each quite unique in what they will have to contribute and I look forward to reading not only what they will write but also all that will follow upon their work – especially as we look toward the next synod of bishops which will be on the issue of ministry.

I expect that synod to chart a very important course forward for the Church in the 21st century and beyond.

 

[Lion_IRC]

Pope Francis hugs Lutheran Archbishop Antje Jackelen, primate of the Church of Sweden on Monday. Picture here ;
npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/31/500057532/in-show-of-unity-pope-francis-marks-500th-anniversary-of-protestant-reformation

And when The Reverend Dorothy Lee, Dean of Trinity Theological School in Melbourne, was interviewed about the significance of this event she suggested that the Pope was staging a photo opportunity to send a message about women priests.

The interviewer enthusiastically joins in with a remark about how this Pope regularly uses images instead of words where controversy is involved.

 

[Memaw]

I was pleased and also annoyed to read this article today. Annoyed that basic questions are always asked and answered and then asked again. I was a tad dissapointed that he seemed to be saying. “Gee, my hands are tied because of one of my predecessors.” RAther than no, and a repudiation of the question.

I’m sure he knows the questions beforehand as do most heads of state.

I doubt he was saying “his hands were tied by his predecessors” but that the question has already been settled by a previous Pope. We have to be careful we don’t “seem” to think the Pope says what he isn’t actually saying. Why do we keep bringing up something that the Church has already settled as if we can change the Church teaching. God Bless, Memaw

 

[MarcoPolo]

You’ll also note 2 things in the media.

1. They use the term “ban” on women “priests.” There is no “ban” on women priests any more than there is a “ban” on square circles, or a “ban” on male pregnancy. Things that cannot exist aren’t “banned.”
2. The media keeps acting like this issue is fresh on the table, when even for Francis, he spoke just as definitively about this 3 years ago, as well as his predecessors. But the media depends on the short term memory of the populace to which it markets.

Sources:
*Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church’s divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful. (Pope John Paul II, speaking ex cathedra, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, 1994)

Recently a group of priests from a European country issued a summons to disobedience, and at the same time gave concrete examples of the forms this disobedience might take, even to the point of disregarding definitive decisions of the Church’s Magisterium, such as the question of women’s ordination, for which Blessed Pope John Paul II stated irrevocably that the Church has received no authority from the Lord. (Pope Benedict XVI, April 5, 2012)

And, with reference to the ordination of women, the Church has spoken and she said : “No.” John Paul II said it, but with a definitive formulation. That is closed, that door is closed. (Pope Francis I, July 28, 2013)*

 

[paperwight66]

As a husband and father of two daughters, both of whom are professionals and who are custodians of confidential information in their professions, I find that remark insulting and demeaning to women.

Me too. It was meant to be humorous, I suppose, but as you say, it is insulting and demeaning…

Convert, do you really not know of the many professions where women deal with confidential information? Do you really think that they would blab what was said in confession, given the serious and holy nature of the occasion.

 

[qui_est_ce]

I doubt he was saying “his hands were tied by his predecessors” but that the question has already been settled by a previous Pope. We have to be careful we don’t “seem” to think the Pope says what he isn’t actually saying. Why do we keep bringing up something that the Church has already settled as if we can change the Church teaching. God Bless, Memaw

Because there are now Pope Francis Catholics.

 

[Maximilan_Kolbe]

Me too. It was meant to be humorous, I suppose, but as you say, it is insulting and demeaning…

Convert, do you really not know of the many professions where women deal with confidential information? Do you really think that they would blab what was said in confession, given the serious and holy nature of the occasion.

Of course she doesn’t. She was repeating a joke told by a nun. Relax. The smiley indicates it was said in levity, which you may not fund humorous, but is far from an insult.

An insult is “woman can’t be Priests because they can’t keep their mouths shut after confession.” That’s rude, untrue, and dismissive.

A joke is what she posted, repeated from Mother Angelica. As a father of two daughters and a son, and after reading all the seriously dangerous things people espouse at times on these boards, I can’t be bothered to get offended over Mother Angelica’s moment of levity.

 

[FrDavid96]

I have great esteem for the academics that the Holy Father chose for the theological commission considering the issue of the diaconate.

They are each quite unique in what they will have to contribute and I look forward to reading not only what they will write but also all that will follow upon their work – especially as we look toward the next synod of bishops which will be on the issue of ministry.

I expect that synod to chart a very important course forward for the Church in the 21st century and beyond.

I don’t share that esteem. There is one in particular, well-known, whose last name starts with a Z.

I’ve read her work. It is full of misdirection, half-truths, conclusions that cannot be justified by premises , and the worst: outright untruths. Her technique is to take untruths and repeat them enough so that people begin to think they are true.

Her academic methods would not stand a chance in any other discipline. Her arguments completely defy any logical, reasoned thinking.

 

[February]

Poor Convert! As a woman I was amused and understand the joke. Personally, the worst gossips I’ve ever known have all been female, with the exception of a few.

And as a therapist that has worked with mostly women for years…you’d think confidentiality would always be upheld, but sometimes it is not. That’s all I’m going to say about that, unfortunately.

As for the Pope, I was disheartened to read the disparaging comments on the Washington post article on the subject. Even the Catholics were, for the most part, not explaining or sticking up for the teachings of the church. Although I’m going to assume a lot of them just don’t understand (it took me awhile, even after years of Catholic school); hopefully they will study/practice the faith more.