The ordination of women as Catholic priests will come one day

[susannah]

The ordination of women as priests in the Catholic Church will come one day. Already you can see the yearnings of women to be taken seriously in their sense of pastoral calling, to serve as female priests, to express voice that is not filtered by exclusively male primacy, and the pressures that build up on the male-dominated hierarchy. Just observe

Comments

[thecatinthehat]

Are you trolling? because while I support female clergy, I really feel that you're trying to start some shit.

[alyoshas_world]

I don't doubt her seriousness (I know Susannah well enough), but with all due respect to my friend, this was a horribly argued post. While I don't support female priests, I do believe there are strong arguments that can be made in support. This post is not an example of such.

[thecatinthehat]

No, i feel you, its why I thought she might be trolling - I actually wouldn't have argued beyond that, I love to watch a post go down in flames. I'm Episcopalian, I feel strongly about the ordnation of women, but I understand why the RCC has chosen not to ordain females. It's cool.

[susannah]

You *are* my friend. You have helped me, inspired me, and played a really pivotal role in my own exploration of vocation. I will always know God used you. When I take my vows I will wish you were there, because you were there for me on my journey. So thank you for calling me *your* friend as well. I really appreciate that. In convent again next week, and my novice guardian knows how I feel you led me, through Thomas Merton, and Therese, and your own podcast and example. Sorry my arguments on this subject seem horrible, but you are just special to me anyway : )

[alyoshas_world]

What does the yearning of an individual have to do with its theological truth? That's beyond specious.

[becoming_rachel]

Spot on, as usual. :)

[lordhellebore]

I agree with you completely, but I wonder if your masochistic tendencies are coming through here. Do you really want to read theological sexism bingo in every second comment?

[redstar826]

and to think I was worried that my post might start a brawl ;)

It certainly would help some with the recruitment issues the Church seems to be having. I know of churches that don't even have their own priest, but are instead sharing a priest with another parish. Well, that and the whole pesky celibacy business

[muraven]

Would it, though? The Episcopal Church has allowed for women ministers for decades, are they any better off than we are? Perhaps they don't have a minister shortage, but if so it's only because their membership is declining to the point where there's barely anybody left to minister to. Many of the denominations that are growing (Mormons, evangelicals, etc) take even more hard-line positions on theological issues, including giving women positions of power, than those of the Catholic Church. Perhaps we shouldn't be following the example of the mainstream Protestant denominations that are imploding.

[redstar826]

Many of the denominations that are growing (Mormons, evangelicals, etc) take even more hard-line positions on theological issues

of course, they are also the most aggressive at trying to win new converts. The presence of women pastors or lack thereof may just be a coincidence. Correlation doesnt = causation

[muraven]

Indeed, correlation doesn't imply causation. However, changing the rules on women clergy at the very least hasn't helped them in the vocations department (at least as far as I'm aware). There are many potential ends that one could argue from an amoral position would justify completely abandoning 2,000 years of Tradition about the nature of ordination, maintaining the status quo isn't one of them.

[ginnyjake]

As a woman and a devout Catholic, I disagree. While women are equal to men and have the ability to perform any task that a man can, men were called to the priesthood. It's not because men are better or more able. I do not believe the Catholic Church will ever ordain female priests, and it would be a sore test of my faith if it did.

[redstar826]

I suppose that how Catholic women feel about this is the big question here. I mean, I have my own opinions, but I'm also not Catholic, have 0 interest in being a minister/priest for any religion etc

[miafeliz]

I"m lapsing more every day, but as a Catholic, I'm still ok with male only ordination. It's not an issue keeping me from church right now.

[log_junkie]

Agreed. It is of my opinion that most women who seek to be Catholic priests do so out of a desire for or issues with authority, not out of an untainted desire for service. That's not really the kind of person we want to be a priest anyway.