Women Priests

[bmonk]

Hi Miss Primrose,

I’ve never really heard that before - women feel inspired by the Holy Spirit and so should be ordained as priests. To be honest, holy inspiration has nothing to do with the ordained priesthood, if by this you mean something like a charismatic or internal feeling, movement of soul, towards the priesthood. The priesthood is a holy office, not necessarily a prophetic or charismatic role. I think if some women feel moved in this manner by the Spirit, they should meditate and discern what role they are being called to fulfill. It could be as a teacher or prophetess, but not as a priest.

On the question of following Scripture and Tradition, or the Holy Spirit…well, since the Holy Spirit is the fundamental author of Scripture and Tradition, it would seem strange that He would contradict Himself in this way. That’s why, any kind of private revelation, feeling or discernment needs to be tested against the teachings of the Church, as John writes: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world…” (1 John 4:1, RSV)

God bless.

Jonathan

The priesthood is not just something you are inspired to seek. It is also an office in the community, and so the community MUST call you to it. Hence at ordinations the bishop seeks the approval of the community, and before that there is extensive preparation and inquiry to see if the candidate is truly suitable. As noted, the Church does not feel that we have the power to call women to be priests and still be faithful to the tradition we have received from God.

We do have a place for those inspired to seek God more closely–more the prophetic or charismatic role described above. We call them religious, in a wide variety of associations and vows or promises. And–lo and behold!–we have both women and men religious! Imagine that: those inspired to promise themselves to God can be of either gender!

Consider also the Old Testament: The priesthood (whether Aaronic or Levitical) was exclusively male, while prophets were both male and female–Miriam, Deborah, and Hulda are three who come readily to mind.

Perhaps it is because we too often see the sacramental priesthood in terms of privilege and honor that not allowing women to receive it seems discriminatory. But it is really a call to serve, not to be served. The priest is to take the place of Christ for the Church, which includes laying down his life for the faithful.

Also, in fact women and men are called to a true priesthood: the priesthood of the baptized, wherein every member of the Body of Christ is called to speak the Word of God, sanctify, and properly order the world by their life, while the sacramental priesthood is to provide similar service to the Body of Christ. By their baptism and confirmation, they are already priests of Christ. If they are married, by their vows they are already priests of the domestic church of their family.

 

[bmonk]

Absolutely right - and let us remember that women can dedicate their life to God just as well as any man - via becoming a nun.

A nun isnt inferior to a priest, just different - like men and women are different in general.

Imagine a man made a big fuss about the fact he couldnt become a nun and actually stated it was misandry / sexism that he wasnt allowed to join the nuns. How seriously do you think he would be taken?

Not a good example, since men can join male orders of monks or friars, as well as other associations and groups, all of which correspond to the female orders of sisters or nuns.

 

[brb3]

I agree with you and have no desire to go against the church but it doesn’t answer the question, Are we right to ignore the Holy Spirit today in favour of what the Holy Spirit said before? This is what court my attension with this, do we have the right to say all the women saying there guided by the Holy Spirit are wrong because it goes against what the Holy Spirit has previsouly said? How do we know that the views of the Holy Spirit have stayed the same?

It has made me think, I am not changing my mind about women priests but I am interested as to how we can assume that the Holy Spirit’s teaching won’t change and this is the just the issue that brought that topic to mind.

For isn’t the Holy Spirit God, and shouldn’t we as his church listen to God.

Why would HS want to change tradition & rules ? Again, isn’t Mary already our greatest Saint ? Did Mary ever suggest she have primus position as Apostle or priest ?

She didn’t !! Yet, Christ put her in top spot. But, Mary alone got it. No other woman has her credentials, or birthright.

Mary points all to Christ …and his male apostlelate do likewise. The Trinity is immutable! The rules don’t change to suit our itchy / rebellious ears.

 

[GEddie]

I’d go with the millennial teaching of the Holy Church over some ladies’ FEELINGS. Anytime.

God established the church, and not our feelings, to interpret divine teaching.

Blessed Triduum and ICXC NIKA

 

[firstfive]

Pleasing God has nothing to do with feelings even though feelings and motions are natural and good. Our soul is infused with INTELLECT and WILL. Intellect–the power to know the
difference between right from wrong. Will–the power to choose between the right or the wrong.
Pleasing or displeasing God is in the WILL not in the feelings.

The Father begets the Son. The Love between the Father and the Son produces the Holy
Spirit. Therefore the Will of the Holy Spirit is one and the same as the Father and the Son
from all eternity. And the Father (in the 3 Divine Persons) has willed His Son to establish
a divine church to spread the Truth which is immune from error (in faith & morals only)
guided and protected by the Holy Spirit.

To use the Person of the HOLY SPIRIT to promote their own sinful ideas and thoughts is an offense against the Person of the FATHER and the Person of the SON against God himself.

 

[pablope]

I agree with you and have no desire to go against the church but it doesn’t answer the question, Are we right to ignore the Holy Spirit today in favour of what the Holy Spirit said before?

The HS is part of the Trinity…it is God…it is always the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and it will not change.

As such, the HS will not contradict what has been revealed before…otherwise, it is admitting it has committed an error.

This is what court my attension with this, do we have the right to say all the women saying there guided by the Holy Spirit are wrong because it goes against what the Holy Spirit has previsouly said?

 

[Ontheway]

Are we right to ignore the Holy Spirit today in favour of what the Holy Spirit said before?

This sounds a little like the “today” vs “before” argument which is often based on the idea that today we are so much wiser, more sophisticated and smarter than those who wrote the Bible two thousand years ago.

If we can change the Bible to be more gender-inclusive, why not change other parts as well?

And then there is that “glass ceiling” argument. Why not women priests, cardinals, popes? It is all about equality and career advancement.

Does it end there, or do our feelings take us beyond this point as well?
There were priestesses in a lot pagan cults of old.

The church has not reached that level of “sophistication” yet, and I hope it does not.

 

[edwest2]

This sounds a little like the “today” vs “before” argument which is often based on the idea that today we are so much wiser, more sophisticated and smarter than those who wrote the Bible two thousand years ago.

If we can change the Bible to be more gender-inclusive, why not change other parts as well?

And then there is that “glass ceiling” argument. Why not women priests, cardinals, popes? It is all about equality and career advancement.

Does it end there, or do our feelings take us beyond this point as well?
There were priestesses in a lot pagan cults of old.

The church has not reached that level of “sophistication” yet, and I hope it does not.

It won’t. Just expect to see a lot more posts like this in the future.

Peace,
Ed

 

[ljwahn]

By definition a sacrament is an Outward Sign instituted by Christ to give grace. There are seven of them among which is Holy Orders. Christ ordained only men. Without a new sacrament, women can not be ordained priests.